WSP UK's Rachel Skinner CBE, Executive Director, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) & Government Relations, is awarded an Honorary Degree from University of Leeds. Rachel leads on WSP's ESG relations and previously led WSP’s transport business. She is the Past President of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), the youngest in the institution’s history.
Additionally, congratulations go to WSP Technical Director, Nike Folayan MBE [pictured below] who also received an honorary degree.
Impressive contributions to civil engineering
The Honorary Degree highlights Rachel's contributions to civil engineering. Rachel is one of eight honorary graduands who will be celebrated alongside undergraduates at the university's award ceremonies.
Now a Doctor of Laws, Rachel had completed a Postgraduate MSc (Eng) Degree in Transport Planning and Engineering at the university.
She was the 156th president of ICE, the youngest one in the institution’s over 200-year history. She was also the second female president when she took the role in 2020/2021. The theme of her presidency was 'Shaping Zero', focusing on challenging civil engineers to help achieve net zero.
Rachel was awarded a CBE at the Queen’s New Year Honours for her services to infrastructure. She is also an Honorary Fellow of the Society for the Environment for her work on the Shaping Zero programme.
As a founding board member since 2005, Rachel is a patron of Women in Transport, a not-for-profit organisation that empowers women in the sector to reach their potential.
Rachel Chairs the carbon stream of the Infrastructure Client Group and served two years as an Infrastructure Commissioner for Scotland from late 2018. She’s also a fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.
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