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Ian Flower, who works for engineering and management development consultancy Mott MacDonald in Wales, has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Honours list for his services to civil engineering in Wales and to overseas development.

Whilst Chairman of the Wales Association of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Ian Flower founded Engineers for Overseas Development (EFOD) a subgroup of graduates under training who have now completed five schemes in the Gambia and Uganda, constructing latrine blocks in downtown areas and incinerators and waste management schemes in two hospitals. 20 graduates from South Wales and the South West including six from Mott MacDonald in the region have been involved in these schemes, assisting communities of underprivileged people, and their own preparation for professional qualification.

Ian has since co-founded the Kabwalin Widows and Orphans Agricultural Project to improve the lives of families who have been affected by AIDS. The project provides educational and financial support for widows who farm their own land, and funds education for children. Ian is also a co-founder of the Saltpeter Trust which is committed to medical and educational development in the Third World, and has started constructing a Medical and Resource Centre in Soroti, Uganda.

Ian said, “I am absolutely delighted, this is a great honour and helps to highlight what engineers can achieve and how we can all make a difference."

Mike Blackburn, Chairman at Mott MacDonald’s said, “As well as being a first class civil engineer and a great ambassador for Mott MacDonald, Ian has shown great long term commitment to developing projects overseas that make a real difference to many peoples’ lives. We are very proud of Ian and all our employees who volunteer their time to life enriching projects. We are delighted that Ian’s hard work has been acknowledged in this prestigious way.”

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