Costain engineer Batsetswe Motsumi has been chosen to lead the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors, the UK-based professional institution for specialists employed in geospatial engineering and commercial management in the civil engineering industry. 

Founded in 1969, this is the first time that a person of colour has been elected to lead the organisation. 

Mr Motsumi is a Commercial Director for Costain, currently working on the A12 Chelmsford to A120 Widening Scheme and has been a CICES Vice President since 2021.  Batsetswe joined the institution as a graduate member in 2003, becoming the chair of CICES Yorkshire and serving on the CICES Council of Management.  

Incoming CICES President, Batsetswe Motsumi said: “CICES has been around for more than 50 years and has continued to evolve throughout its history – I’m looking forward to introducing a new focus. During my year as President, I want to help the institution develop into an even more visible, more approachable and more welcoming organisation. As a Council of Management member for several years, I’ve seen what can be achieved when people with different backgrounds work towards a common goal.  I believe that my focus on “Adding value through collaboration” will help our members achieve more for CICES, their own organisations and wider society.”

CICES Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Simon Hamlyn, added: “While it’s 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. In his 20 years as a CICES member, Batsetswe’s support of people working together to achieve more has always been apparent. But applying this alongside his extensive commercial experience, I’m confident he’ll help us deliver greater value for our members, their projects and processes.  Under Batsetswe’s stewardship, our Council of Management, regional committees and colleagues are looking forward to this new era.”

(Picture – CICES)