A Bath engineering alumnus has been awarded the prestigious Milne Medal by the International Association of Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE).

John Roycroft, who is a Principal and Chair of Civil and Structural Engineering at architectural practice BDP, has led a range of structurally challenging projects including schools, universities, hospitals, public buildings, offices, and the new AstraZeneca Discovery Centre in Cambridge.

The Milne Medal is awarded to an individual engineer for excellence in structural design, both in the overall concept and in the attention to detail in their work.

The IABSE award citation said: “John has forged a career in the design and delivery of structurally challenging projects. He has a passion and energy for design which is central to bringing structural innovation to life.

“He is passionate about engineers communicating effectively and runs sketching workshops that help develop this important skill and allow young engineers to build confidence to engage with the design team early.”

Following the announcement, John said: “I am delighted and honoured to have been awarded the 2024 Milne Medal. The University of Bath, and the Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering, played a pivotal role in helping me understand that engineers have a lead role to play in shaping buildings and positively influencing design quality.

“I am indebted to Mike Barnes, Paul McCombie, Chris Williams and many others who inspired and importantly nurtured me through my time at Bath and showed that collaboration, respect and trust between design team members is so important.”

John graduated from the University of Bath in 1996 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil and Structural Engineering, having transferred from the Architecture course after his first year. He said: “I was inspired by industry greats such as the late Sir Ted Happold, whose engineering history lectures demonstrated the wonderful opportunities for creativity and for bringing positive change as an engineer.”

Professor Tim Ibell, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering & Design, added: “I am so delighted to see John receiving this prestigious award. It is not merely for outstanding structural engineering ability – it is for outstanding design ability across our built environment.

“What a wonderful testament to what John holds dear to him, namely a pencil and a collaborator! Sketching to develop ideas and to communicate them, working alongside collaborators, remains central to our design education in the built environment at Bath, and so to see John being honoured for an outlook of which we are so proud to continue is just fabulous and inspiring. Well done, John!”

John will be delivering the 2024 Milne Lecture, on the theme ‘Send me a Sketch’ in London on 14 November. Tickets are available on the IABSE website.

Regarding the lecture, he added: "Digital technology has transformed our industry, but I think the best tool remains the humble pen or pencil. Sketching is just a brilliant way to think, solve problems and collaborate. Working with people has been the most enjoyable aspect of my career to date.”