21st January 2026

ICE Fellowship “more than I ever imagined” for Construction Manager Stephen McClean

Construction Manager Stephen McClean is celebrating a proud milestone as he becomes a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers (FICE). As the ICE’s highest professional grade, Fellowship recognises civil engineers who have made a significant impact on the profession through leadership, expertise and longstanding contribution. With only 5,000 Fellows worldwide, we’re sharing Stephen’s story as he joins a select group of industry leaders, marking a defining moment in his 28-year career.

Stephen’s path into civil engineering began in Edinburgh, where he studied the subject at university before joining O’Rourke Construction (now Laing O’Rourke). His early years were spent on major commercial projects, including the £70 million extension of the New Museum of Scotland and airport developments in both Edinburgh and Glasgow.

These roles honed his technical understanding and exposed him to capital investment projects - setting the foundation for a long and varied career. A move to the North East in 1999 brought new opportunities with Hall Construction. Here, Stephen shifted into civils and infrastructure, working on dual carriageways, land reclamation and major groundwork schemes, while public realm improvements followed with Barton Civil Engineering, where Stephen played a key role in the transformation of Blyth Marketplace.

In 2010, Stephen joined Esh as a Contracts Manager and has since progressed into a Construction Manager role for Esh Construction’s civil engineering division. Through his 15 years with the business, he has developed an impressive portfolio, working across key schemes that encompassed fish passes, velodromes and now a £23 million urban park in Stockton-on-Tees and the iconic Tyne Bridge restoration project in Newcastle.

He said: “I’ve always enjoyed the variety of work across the civils sector that comes in working for Esh. Every day offers a different challenge. The restoration of the Tyne Bridge naturally stands out as a career highlight and it’s very humbling to be playing my part in North East history. With my wife and extended family being from the region, the chance to safeguard the iconic structure carries a personal significance too.”

Gaining professional recognition in his field has always been important for Stephen, and after receiving his ICE membership in 1999, he was determined to continue his professional development. With seven different membership grades attainable, Steve set his sights on the highest level as an ICE Fellow.

Candidates for ICE Fellowship must demonstrate that they meet at least one of several high‑level professional attributes, reflecting significant leadership, strategic influence, or technical excellence. This might include leading a sizeable portfolio of projects, shaping how a business or team operates, or being recognised for technical expertise or innovation that’s made a real difference in the industry. Ultimately, it’s about showing influence, responsibility and impact at a senior level and supported by colleagues, directors and respected industry peers, he has now successfully attained his ICE Fellowship.

Despite decades of experience behind him, the news still came with an unexpected sense of disbelief. Claiming that imposter syndrome still crops up from time to time, Stephen added: “The ICE is the be all and end all for civil engineers. It’s the overarching authority for our sector, so becoming a Fellow of the ICE is the pinnacle - it’s more than I ever thought it could be.”

Earning Fellowship brings more than a title though, it provides a platform for Stephen to share his knowledge, influence best practice and mentor others – roles he is eager to embrace. His name will now appear on the ICE Fellowship portal, and he can be approached by colleagues and rising engineers seeking sponsorship or guidance.

Encouraging younger members of the Esh team to pursue professional accreditation is something he views not only as important, but as a responsibility he now feels even more empowered to take on. He said: “The support I’ve had from our senior team through submitted testimonials to my experience reinforces Esh’s commitment to investing in its people and demonstrating to clients and partners that major projects are being delivered by industry-recognised professionals.”

Looking ahead, a presentation ceremony awaits in London in the Summer, while Stephen expects his new recognition to open doors to the start of a new chapter in his professional journey. “The accolade brings renewed purpose,” said Stephen. “Becoming a Fellow justifies all the hard work through the last quarter of a century and it now offers a chance for me to use my experience not only to build the infrastructure people rely on, but to support the people who will shape the industry’s future.”