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John Roycroft, Principal and Chair of Civil and Structural Engineering at BDP has been awarded the esteemed Milne Medal from the International Association of Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE) for his outstanding achievements in structural engineering and design.
This prestigious award honours engineers whose work embodies creativity, technical brilliance, and a commitment to advancing design in the built environment, and it recognises John’s remarkable career and his contributions to high-profile and challenging projects across the globe.
John’s leadership at BDP has been instrumental in shaping a collaborative culture that pushes the boundaries of conventional design. With a hands-on approach, John has led multidisciplinary teams on landmark projects, including major science, technology and research buildings, prominent hospitals, world-class universities and innovative public buildings.
His commitment to creating structural solutions that balance innovation with practicality has made a lasting impact on the design community and the projects themselves, many of which have received recognition for their design excellence.
John’s design philosophy centres on the importance of early collaboration and clear communication between engineers and architects. He encourages his teams to engage with clients and architects from the outset, believing that this teamwork approach leads to optimal, integrated solutions. Known for his passion for drawing, John frequently hosts sketching workshops that empower young engineers to build their communication skills and confidently convey their design concepts - a practice he views as essential to effective engineering.
Reflecting on his career and this recognition, John said: “Receiving the Milne Medal is an incredible honour, and I would like to thank IABSE for the acknowledgement. While digital technology has transformed our industry, I believe the best tool remains the humble pen or pencil. Sketching is a brilliant way to think, solve problems, and collaborate, and working with people to develop ideas has been the most enjoyable aspect of my career.”
John will further share his insights in the 2024 Milne Lecture, titled Send Me a Sketch, on 14 November at the Institute of Structural Engineers in London. He will explore the value of sketching as a tool in design and collaboration and share his career journey and inspirations.
Chris Harding, Chair of BDP, added: “John is a credit to BDP. His dedication to advancing the profession through his own work and his mentorship of others is creating a legacy that his fellow engineers can carry forward into the next generation. His drive to enhance multidisciplinary working with values of innovation, collaboration, and simplicity in design is an inspiration to us all.”