Isla Hill of Kilsyth-based geotechnical company BAM Ritchies, an operating division of civil engineers BAM Nuttall, has been recognised as the Best Woman Quantity Surveyor in the European Women in Construction and Engineering (WICE) Awards 2017.

Aimed at recognising female achievement in a predominantly male-dominated industry, the prestigious awards call for entrants to be nominated by their peers. If selected as one of eight finalists, the nominees are judged on a five minute presentation outlining their current projects, questions from the judges and a one minute presentation to the room on why they should be chosen.

“I’m absolutely delighted to have won this award,” said Isla. “It’s great to have been nominated by colleagues and I think that my positive approach, commercial background and a desire to lead by example helped my win.

“I joined BAM Nuttall in 2010 and am an active member of the Women at BAM group. It aims to inspire a new generation of women into joining the industry and I’m trying to build on the good work they’ve already done. Civil Engineering is a great sector to work in and although we sometimes read or hear about potential issues, I have never found that being a woman in the industry has been a disadvantage and have had a very positive experience.”

As part of her desire to promote the benefits of construction to the next generation Isla is involved in the University of Strathclyde’s “Engineering the Future for Girls” project and will be accompanying over a hundred 13 to 15-year-old schoolgirls to observe a quarry blast and has been involved in a ‘bring your daughter to work day.’

Elsewhere, she is also a member of the BAM Nuttall Emerging Leaders Group 2017 and is working with the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) to make recommendations on digital construction.

Former receptionist, Isla took a degree in Quantity Surveying at Glasgow Caledonian University.

“I wanted to work in construction but initially wasn’t sure whether it was as a QS or an engineer,” said the 32-year-old who lives in East Glasgow. “The opportunity to build amazing things and see incredible places inspired me to go into the industry and since I’ve been at BAM Nuttall I’ve been inside a mountain at Loch Ness, worked on chalk mine infill in Hertfordshire, and plenty in between.”

Isla has been involved in a number of projects at BAM Nuttall citing the Glendoe Recovery Project as one of her most enjoyable to work on and is currently on a project to deliver a windfarm in the Highlands of Scotland.

Geotechnical Engineer Emily Wood, a colleague of Isla’s was shortlisted at the WICE Awards, in the Best Young Woman Engineer category.