David Malcolm Orr
David Orr CBE, FREng, FICE, FIAE, is a civil engineer. He was the 143rd President of the Institution of Civil Engineers. He is married to Vyvienne and they have 2 children.
David Orr graduated from Queen's University Belfast in 1974 with an honours degree in civil engineering, and was awarded an MSc by Queens in 1978. He spent much of his career with Roads Service, Northern Ireland’s road authority, latterly serving as Permanent Secretary of the Department for Regional Development.
He currently chairs the Independent Assurance Panel for High Speed 2, is an external member of the Palace of Westminster Restoration and Renewal Programme Board, and also chairs the Institution of Civil Engineers Benevolent Fund. From 2008 to 2014 he chaired the Procurement Expert Panel for London's Crossrail.
In his Presidential Address, Orr encouraged civil engineers to:
- stand up for civil engineering - delivering public works of real value;
- stand up for professionalism - there to protect the public;
- stand up for excellence in procurement - the key to project success; and
- stand up for civil engineers - unsung heroes no more.
He listed as one of his unsung heroes William Bald, who between 1832 and 1842 constructed the Antrim Coast Road.Awards and honours
