A striking new statue of a Macclesfield-based woman engineer is being unveiled at the Royal Academy of Engineering today to mark National Engineering Day 2024. The vibrant, modern design depicts manufacturing engineer Alice Kan and has been specially designed by visual artist and designer Kelly Anna.
Visitors to the new Engineering Role Model statue will also be able to experience the innovative garden entrance to the building, in which the statue sits. Built in 2011 by a group of young engineering apprentices from Babcock International Group, the ‘S’-shaped bridge fuses engineering, art and architecture to create an elegant walkway.
Some of those apprentices, now working as engineers with Babcock, revisited the Academy this week to view Kelly Anna’s statue to see how their sinuous bridge has taken its place in the John Browne garden, named after Past President of the Academy Lord Browne of Madingley FREng FRS.
The design of the bridge was inspired by a winding picturesque garden path envisaged, but never built, for the premises by the 19th century architect Decimus Burton. It rises gradually to make up the level difference from the pavement to the entrance and is framed by a striking planting scheme designed by Andy Sturgeon, multiple Gold Medal winner at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
A dozen engineering apprentices and technicians, then aged 17-20, under the project management of Babcock’s Director of Operations, Marine, Joe Doogan, took a complex and novel design by architects Burrell Foley Fischer and constructed the seven tonne bridge that is now as much a landmark as the Grade 1 listed building it adjoins.
Kelly Anna’s sculpture of Alice Kan will be on display at the Academy from 13 until 20 November. Alice, based in Macclesfield, played a pivotal role in the manufacture of the COVID-19 vaccine and is now working on vaccines for Ebola. She was nominated as the Academy’s ‘Engineering Role Model’ through a public vote and selected from over 150 nominations. For more information see National Engineering Day 2024.
Dr Hayaatun Sillem CBE, Chief Executive of the Royal Academy of Engineering, says:
“Having someone to look up to is cited as a key reason why young people pursue a particular passion or career. But with only 15.7% women and 12.4% minority ethnic representation in UK engineering, it's crucial that we recruit new engineers from all parts of society to build a more inclusive future.
“That is why for this year’s National Engineering Day we have commissioned an exciting new statue of manufacturing engineer Alice Kan to challenge stereotypes and get people talking about contemporary engineers and the fascinating work they do. We are delighted to have the support of Babcock International, who are an exemplar in training and development of their young engineers, and it’s great to welcome some of their former apprentices to the Academy today to see Kelly Anna’s striking new statue in situ on the bridge they built for us over a decade ago.”
Louise Atkinson, Chief People Officer at Babcock, commented:
“The theme of role models for this year’s National Engineering Day is such an important one, interlinked with culture and legacy. At Babcock, we have some amazing people that inspire me every day. Attracting great talent for businesses like ours is a challenge for many in the current climate, but once they join us, they tend to stay. The fact that this group of apprentices have stayed with Babcock and have built their careers here is testament to that. So today is a real celebration not just of role models, but the mentors that helped them and help make the world a better place for us all.”
Babcock Chief People Officer Louise Atkinson (L) and vaccine manufacturing engineer Alice Kan. Credit: Babcock
L-R Louise Atkinson, Matthew Lynch, Conor Ritchie, William Bowman, Joe Doogan and Colin Couper.
Notes for editors
1. Babcock is an international defence company, operating in our focus countries of the UK, Australasia, Canada, France and South Africa, with exports to additional markets. We support and enhance our customers’ defence capabilities and critical assets through a range of product and service solutions, providing increased availability, affordability and capability.
2. About National Engineering Day
National Engineering Day was created by the Royal Academy of Engineering to shine a spotlight on the vital role engineers play in shaping our world. Working with engineering institutions and industry partners across the whole of the UK engineering profession, it aims to inspire the next generation of engineers by showcasing the creativity, problem-solving, and impact engineers have across industries.It's a national call to recognise the engineers who are essential to building our future, while also promoting diversity and inclusion within the profession; so when solutions are created, from developing sustainable infrastructure to cope with climate change to creating AI and robotics for healthcare, a wider range of voices are built in from the start, and the end product will have a better chance of being more successful for everyone.National Engineering Day complements Tomorrow’s Engineers Week 11-15 November 2024, which works with schools to engage young people aged 11 to 14, demonstrating how their interests and passions can lead to exciting and fulfilling careers in engineering.
3. The Royal Academy of Engineering is harnessing the power of engineering to build a sustainable society and an inclusive economy that works for everyone. In collaboration with our Fellows and partners, we’re growing talent and developing skills for the future, driving innovation and building global partnerships, and influencing policy and engaging the public. Together we’re working to tackle the greatest challenges of our age.
