Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) is a professional membership body that government and industry listen to while providing unrivalled support to our 90,000 civil engineer members. As well as supporting our members to become qualified, we also encourage them to continue their professional development by providing a variety of civil engineering knowledge resources. These include industry-leading publications from ICE Publishing and tailored courses from ICE Training. Since our small beginnings, ICE has become home to many of history`s greatest engineers as past presidents and members, and 200 years later, we have over 92,000 members around the world.
Company details
Find locations served, office locations , manufacturers
- Business Type:
- Professional association
- Industry Type:
- Construction & Construction Materials
- Market Focus:
- Globally (various continents)
- Year Founded:
- 1818
- Employees:
- 101-1000
ICE is one of the world`s leading civil engineerin...
ICE is one of the world's leading civil engineering institutions and we've been around for almost 200 years.
Learn more about what we do, how we're run, our members and our history. If you're interested in working for us or you'd like to get in touch, just click on the sections below for more information.
What We Do
Discover more about our services
As well as supporting our members to become qualified, we also encourage them to continue their professional development by providing a variety of civil engineering knowledge resources. These include industry-leading publications from ICE Publishing and tailored courses from ICE Training.
Our services are dedicated to supporting members too - whenever they need it. We give sound legal advice and practical guidance to resolve work-related disputes. ICE's Benevolent Fund also offers members and their families both support and development opportunities. This ranges from advice and guidance on personal and financial matters, to back-to-work schemes and training programmes.
Get involved with ICEThere are lots of ways to be a part of ICE's work. Sharing your expertise and lending a hand not only helps us, it helps you too. No-one ever stops learning, so we guarantee you'll learn more and gain new skills. You'll also meet people, influence people and be admired by people. Volunteering helps you to make new contacts and friends too.
Who Runs ICE?
ICE has been working hard to promote the profession of civil engineering for nearly 200 years. We believe that civil engineers play an important role in our everyday lives, so we work hard to support them.
We're run by our members, for the benefit of not just our members, but also industry and public communities across the world.
Find out more about our organisational goals and how we work to achieve them.
Our History
The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) is one of the world's most respected professional engineering associations. Since we were formed 200 years ago, we have attracted some of the most famous and influential civil engineers in history.
In 1818 a small group of young engineers met in a London coffee shop and founded the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), the world’s first professional engineering body.
They had hoped that lots of engineers from different engineering backgrounds would join the institution. However, civil engineering hadn't really become an official profession yet, and before the 18th century most engineers were in the armed forces.
After two years of struggling to attract new members, ICE asked Thomas Telford to become its first President. His appointment in 1820 not only gave ICE a major boost, it also played a huge part in shaping who we are today.
Telford designed and built all types of infrastructure; from churches to castles, canals to harbours, tunnels to bridges. He was also given the nickname ‘the Colossus of Roads’ because his designs were used to construct all major British highways (during his lifetime he built over 1,000 miles of roads).
Using his political and social connections, Telford helped to bring in many new members, from the UK and overseas. But his most important role was getting ICE's Royal Charter in 1828. Our charter (updated by Queen Elizabeth II in 1975), gives us our status as the leading institution for the civil engineering profession.
Historical archives
ICE archives contain records relating to the ICE from its formation to the present including details of all past members. Our archives also include records relating to famous engineers from the past, including James Brindley, John Smeaton, Thomas Telford, the Rennies, as well as world famous structures such as Brunel's Thames Tunnel or the Panama Canal.
Work for ICE
Joining ICE Group is a rewarding experience: you'll become part of our team of 300 staff based in a variety of locations. Whatever their role, our employees all contribute in some way to helping civil engineers shape the world.
The ICE Group is made up of the Institution of Civil Engineers – a global membership body – and Thomas Telford Ltd (our commercial arm). We also run an award-winning conference and wedding venue at our headquarters, One Great George Street.
There are many different roles working for ICE. These include supporting our members directly, producing important civil engineering knowledge resources, or promoting what our members do for society.
At Thomas Telford Ltd, you could help to develop and deliver our publishing, contracts and training products and services. Or you could work at our prestigious Westminster venue in a hospitality role.
There are also many different central support functions such as marketing, IT, finance or HR.
Our employees often tell us that they enjoy being part of an organisation that is making a difference to society. We also look after our people. As well as offering a competitive benefits package, we believe in strengthening your skills. So we'll give you the right training and support to succeed, both now and in the future.