A FORMER Denbigh pupil has joined a 201-year-old profession in what he has described as the "pinnacle" of his career.

Gareth Ellis, a chartered engineer who moved to Denbigh aged five with his family to attend Ysgol Frongoch, and later Denbigh High School has been awarded membership of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), the oldest professional engineering association in the world.

During his sixth form studies in Denbigh Mr Ellis realised he wanted to pursue civil engineering because of its opportunities to travel overseas. He decided to study engineering at Sheffield City Polytechnic, graduating in 1985.

Mr Ellis currently works as a contracts manager for MPH Construction in Mold and during his 30 year career has also worked in northern England and mid-Wales.

Mr Ellis was presented the certificate by Andrew Wyllie, president of ICE at a special ceremony held at the ICE headquarters in Westminster, London.

Mr Ellis said he feels "very proud" join ICE and considers it a dream-come-true. He said: "I feel very proud to have achieved Chartered Engineer Status and consider this to be the pinnacle of my career. It took three years of dedicated commitment to prepare my submission via the career appraisal route with support from my close family, friends and employer.

"From the age of 18 I wanted to be civil engineer. It was whilst completing my sixth form studies that I decided to pursue a career in civil engineering driven by the opportunity of overseas travel and working in such a diverse industry delivering a variety of projects to improve the local infrastructure.

"I was also inspired by a number of North Wales civil engineering contractors at the time who offered training placement opportunities to me.

"I would recommend civil engineering as a career to anyone contemplating entering the profession today."

ICE represents over 92,000 civil engineers and technicians across the world who design, build and maintain transport, water, energy, waste and flood infrastructure.

Mr Ellis, who has met all the requirements of the ICE’s Chartered Professional Review, is now entitled to adopt the institution’s protected title of ‘Chartered Civil Engineer’.

Keith Jones, ICE Wales Cymru regional director, said: “Achieving Chartered Civil Engineer status is a significant personal and career achievement and we are proud to welcome Gareth as a member of ICE.

"Gareth joins a community of professionals who are committed to shaping, improving and protecting the infrastructure on which we all depend. ICE congratulates Gareth on his success and looks forward to supporting him throughout his career.”