Engineering excellence in the extremes

From climate change and resource shortages to geopolitical conflicts, life in Antarctica for Alex is all about helping to solve some of the biggest global challenges we face as a society. And despite being currently deployed in Antarctica – with an unpredictable Wi-Fi signal – Member News caught up with him to find out more about his important work and how it feels to win this award.

Alex’s journey into engineering began in the British Army, where he served as an electrical and mechanical draughtsman in an armoured engineering regiment based in Germany. “I was very fortunate to have travelled quite extensively in the Army. Exercises and deployments took me to Denmark, Austria, Cyprus and Iraq, to name a few,” explained Alex.

And it was during training that he first realised he had what it took to study engineering at university. Alex qualified as a combat engineer and completed a technical apprenticeship at the Royal School of Military Engineering. While serving in the British Army as a Royal Engineer, and despite the challenges of active deployment and his struggles with dyslexia, Alex enrolled to study part-time at the Open University, graduating with a BEng (hons) in engineering.

Between his deployments, Alex is pursuing his postgraduate studies at the University of Cambridge, focusing on engineering management in austere environments. His research aims to address the challenges engineers face in hostile locations and to progress from incorporated to chartered engineer. “Every environment has the potential to become challenging in the future – whether through war, climate change, or resource shortages.

Engineers, especially those working in vital infrastructure, must be robust, adaptable and innovative to provide the essential work that society needs. There are already lots of engineers working in austere environments with the hard-earned experience to learn from to prepare for potential future challenges.”

Alex is now the engineering manager for the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme (AIMP) at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). He leads the engineering assurance team, a group of seasoned polar operators who use their expertise to assist in delivering complex infrastructure projects in the harsh environment.

Alex faces extreme weather, limited working windows and logistical difficulties, but he finds joy in the ‘polar moments’ where he’s surrounded by breathtaking views that remind him of the incredible opportunity he has to work in such a beautiful and unique place: “It’s the polar moments that keep you going.”

Alex is currently overwintering at Rothera Station in Antarctica and will complete six months in the darkness before returning home. “Having deployed every year since joining BAS, I miss home a lot and being away from my wife and daughter is always really challenging. So, I really look forward to returning home.”

Winning our Baroness Platt of Writtle Award is a huge achievement and means a great deal to Alex. “I feel honoured, but I was sad to have missed the ceremony due to my deployment. My wife represented me at the event, and I would have given anything to spend such a special evening celebrating with her.”

The Baroness Platt of Writtle Award is a prestigious recognition given annually to the most outstanding incorporated engineer. Named after Baroness Platt, a champion of women in science and engineering, the award includes an engraved medal, a certificate, and a cash prize of £1,000. It celebrates excellence in engineering and is awarded based on performance at the Professional Review Interview. Alex impressed the judges with his exceptional ability to apply engineering knowledge and the transferable skills he acquired during his time with the Royal Engineers across diverse scenarios, from designing defensive upgrades in operational theatres to leading the construction of scientific facilities in Antarctica.