Batsetswe Motsumi is the civil engineering body鈥檚 first non-white president in its history

Costain commercial director Batsetswe Motsumi has become the new president of the Chartered Institute of Civil Engineering Contractors (CICES).

Motsumi is the first non-white president of CICES since the body was founded in 1969.

Batsetswe Motsumi

Batsetswe Motsumi has becomes the first non-white president of CICES

He takes over from Andrew Evans, a senior product manager at construction data firm Topcon Positioning Systems who has served as president for the previous 18 months.

Motsumi, who is currently working on the upgrade to the  A12 Chelmsford to A120 widening scheme, was named vice president in 2021, having previously served as the organisation鈥檚 chair in Yorkshire and on its management council.

He said: 鈥淐ICES has been around for more than 50 years and has continued to evolve throughout its history - I鈥檓 looking forward to introducing a new focus.

鈥淒uring my year as president, I want to help the institution develop into an even more visible, more approachable and more welcoming organisation.

鈥淎s a Council of Management member for several years, I鈥檝e seen what can be achieved when people with different backgrounds work towards a common goal.

鈥淚 believe that my focus on 鈥淎dding value through collaboration鈥 will help our members achieve more for CICES, their own organisations and wider society.鈥

CICES chief executive Simon Hamlyn added: 鈥淲hile it鈥檚 a clear milestone that the institution has voted in its first non-white president since 1969, the real story is how we can continue to progress.

鈥淚n his 20 years as a CICES member, Batsetswe鈥檚 support of people working together to achieve more has always been apparent.

鈥淏ut applying this alongside his extensive commercial experience, I鈥檓 confident he鈥檒l help us deliver greater value for our members, their projects and processes.  

鈥淯nder Batsetswe鈥檚 stewardship, our council of management, regional committees and colleagues are looking forward to this new era.鈥