Mhairi Porteous at Fairhurst has been highly commended as a finalist, finishing in the top 100 of the prestigious 2024 Top 50 Women in Engineering (WE50) awards.

The Women’s Engineering Society (WES) organises the WE50 awards, a UK event associated with International Women in Engineering Day (INWED), celebrated annually on June 23. This year, the awards celebrate the women engineers who use their engineering skills to improve lives.

Mhairi Porteous is a Senior Chartered Civil Engineer based in the Glasgow Office. She has been at Fairhurst for over 7 years and has since been promoted twice. She was selected as a WE50 highly commended finalist by exemplifying her leadership in significant civil engineering projects and as a STEM Ambassador.

Mhairi was the project leader on the  Port Glasgow AFA (Access for All) Rail Station Redevelopment scheme, which opened in 2023. Mhairi was an integral part of the multidisciplinary design team, liaising with Fairhurst design teams, sub-consultants and contractors on site. This project makes a difference in the lives of local rail passengers by improving access to rail services for people of all ages and those with physical impairments.

John Campbell, Principal Director at Fairhurst says, “Despite her rapid ascent, she remains grounded, maintaining humility and a sense of humour—a testament to her character and professionalism.”

As a female civil engineer, Mhairi has ambitions to improve gender diversity within the industry, and her role as a STEM ambassador allows her to actively work towards this objective. Mhairi has volunteered at STEM events where she has taken the opportunity to speak to female students and answer any questions to help them feel more comfortable starting their careers in a male-dominated industry. Volunteering for the ICE CItyZen Award enabled Mhairi to establish a meaningful connection with the school, opening doors for additional STEM activities and creating a continuous cycle of inspiration and encouragement for students to opt for an engineering career.

Mhairi says, “I am honoured to be selected as a finalist among the top 100 women in engineering. This recognition emphasises the important role that civil engineering has on enhancing the lives in our communities.”

We extend our congratulations to all who were commended as finalists and crowned the winners of the WE50 awards!

I am honoured to be selected as a finalist among the top 100 women in engineering. This recognition emphasises the important role that civil engineering has on enhancing the lives in our communities.

 — Mhairi Porteous, Senior Civil Engineer  

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