A GRADUATE engineer at a leading North Wales civil engineering firm has won an industry award dedicated to those with high potential.

Project civil engineer Gethin Owen, who works for Ruthin-based Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK, scooped the most promising graduate civil engineer prize at the 2021 Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) Wales awards.

Gethin currently leads Jones Bros’ research and development programme after joining as a graduate engineer in 2019 following the completion of his Master’s in civil engineering at Cardiff University.

He has helped implement a range of new automation and software systems company-wide, standardising programmes to enforce a level of consistency across tender documents and projects.

During his time at the civil engineering contractor, Gethin has worked across a number of projects and sites to produce detailed schematics, plans and reports, including for the world’s largest offshore wind farm, Dogger Bank, and the King’s Dyke scheme in Cambridgeshire.

He said: “It is fantastic to be awarded this honour and I’m grateful that my work has been recognised in this manner.

“I’ve been incredibly lucky at Jones Bros, as they not only provided a role which is constantly varied and gives me new challenges daily, but they have given me the freedom and support to implement new ideas across the board.

“Working in research and development to bring projects like remote surveying or the use of carbon-free material alternatives to fruition is massively rewarding, and the opportunities provided at Jones Bros has let me flesh out my skillset even further.”

Jones Bros’ head of design and construction management Grant Harris, who nominated Gethin for the award, said: “Gethin’s work has been excellent since he started with the company and he is more than a worthy winner of this prestigious award.

“His ability to introduce and utilise new ideas, software, and techniques to provide meaningful benefits to not only our clients, but also the environment cannot be underestimated.

“The fact he is also working hard on his ever-improving management style means he has now taken on a leading role on some of our projects, which is just the next step for him on what we hope is a long and bright career with us.”

CECA Wales represents 60 civil engineering contracting businesses across Wales, with companies associated with the body employing more than 6,000 people and holding a cumulative annual turnover in excess of £1bn.

Gethin’s win is the second consecutive triumph in the category for a Jones Bros employee, with Elliot Bidmead picking up the accolade in 2020.