Kate is commended at glitzy ceremony

Kate Cairns took the honour in the Person with a Purpose category of the Northern Power Women awards.

The awards celebrated and showcased role models who are leading the step-change in transforming business culture to benefit future talent and will inspire current and future leaders.

Kate, from Low Newton-by-the-Sea, was shortlisted for the Person with a Purpose award from hundreds of entrants. She is a North-East Chartered Civil Engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).

Kate, who is Northumberland county councillor for Longhoughton, sits on the ICE national expert panel for fairness, inclusion and respect. She is an equality and diversity ally at the county council and is an advocate in promoting engineering to women and girls. She was invited to write the ICE lead article for National Women in Engineering Day 2015.