Speaking from experience – Part three George Westgarth
Continuing our ‘Speaking from Experience’ series, which shines a light on the senior leadership team at Superstructures, we sit down with Principal Civil Engineer, George Westgarth.
George’s career journey has taken him from early curiosity about the built world to leading complex infrastructure and redevelopment projects across the UK. Here’s what he shared with us.
Q&A with George Westgarth
How and why did you become a civil engineer?
I’ve always been intrigued by how things are built and how they work. Infrastructure, especially the parts people rarely notice, has always interested me. These unseen elements play a vital role in daily life, and that curiosity naturally evolved into a passion for civil engineering.
At 18, I completed my BTEC Level 3 in Engineering at Suffolk One in Ipswich. I then started in first job role as an apprentice at WSP in Cambridgeshire. During that time, I studied part-time for my HND at Anglia Ruskin University, and after four years, I progressed and was promoted to technician.
That role exposed me to a huge variety of sectors and project types, from football stadiums to the East Coast Main Line upgrade and supporting work overseas.
What excites you most about your career?
The construction and infrastructure sector never stands still. It constantly evolves, requiring up-to-date knowledge on standards, regulations and design criteria. At its core, civil engineering is like solving a puzzle and that problem-solving element is what I enjoy most.
What has been your most interesting or satisfying project?
The projects that stay with me are those where I’ve been involved from concept through to construction. Having a hand in shaping the design from the very start and then seeing it realised in the physical world is incredibly satisfying.
Two particular projects which stand out for me are…
The Milton Road and Histon Road Corridor Improvement Scheme in Cambridge, where I played my part in contributing to the master planning and feasibility design stages, helping influence the route from concept to delivery.
Phases 7.2 and 7.4 of the £800 million former South Acton estate redevelopment in London, where I was part of a team that produced and managed key design packages supporting a major high‑rise residential block and complex urban infrastructure including highways, service routes, below‑ground drainage and an underground car park.
Do you have a favourite structure you admire?
The Victorian-era sewer network in London has always impressed me. Its foresight, resilience and built‑in capacity for future growth aren’t qualities we always see in modern practice. The fact that these sewers were deliberately oversized and still serve a population four times larger than during Victorian times, shows how thoughtful design can benefit generations through both functionality and long‑term cost savings.
Stay tuned for more insights from the Superstructures leadership team as we continue our Speaking from Experience series.
