While my time at Imperial seems a long while ago it was a truly formative start to my career in the construction industry. An Imperial degree taught me to think, to manage a challenging workload, and to start some enduring friendships.

After Imperial I trained for professional qualifications in the rail industry before working on international power generation and port development projects in the Middle and Far East - an exciting time working on some very big projects. An MBA in my thirties saw me rise to project director for some big infrastructure schemes, and then an opportunistic move to Government - where the big national infrastructure decisions are taken.

Since 2008 I have been chief executive of the Highways Agency running England's strategic road network. At about £3 billion annual turnover I lead a very large infrastructure business - one that we are about to transform into a limited company before launching a huge capital investment programme.

So after 30 years, international experience, world class projects and 6 years leading a huge business I still have lots to look forward to in an exciting industry.