The Pump Centre talks to Young Engineer Awards past winner Ahmed Yusuf, recipient of the Professional Award in 2019, to find out how winning this prestigious award aided his career progression.
With the nominations for the Young Engineer Awards 2026 now open, the Pump Centre is revisiting previous winners to celebrate their professional and personal accomplishments in the water industry.
When Ahmed Yusuf won the Professional category at the Young Engineer Awards 2019, he was a recently-graduated young engineer at the Environment Agency. In the short time since, Ahmed has realised the potential which the Pump Centre saw in this hard-working industry professional, first climbing in seniority at the Environment Agency before moving on to become an Associate at world-class engineering services organisation, AtkinsRéalis.
Read on to discover how Ahmed benefited the opportunities afforded to him as a result of this Pump Centre initiative and the support of his mentors and colleagues at the early stages of his career.
What is your current role?
I’m currently an Associate at AtkinsRéalis, working within the Infrastructure division as part of the Asset and Information Management Practice. My role involves partnering with clients, both on projects and embedded within their teams, to deliver smarter, more resilient infrastructure.
What did winning the Young Engineer Award mean to you in 2019?
Winning the award was a proud moment, but more than anything it was a reflection of the incredible support I received from my team and mentors. It gave me a sense of validation and encouraged me to keep pushing myself. It also helped me realise that with the right environment and guidance, you can achieve more than you think possible.
In what ways do you feel winning the Young Engineer Awards helped you achieve your professional goals?
Winning the Professional award helped raise my profile both within and outside the organisation. I was fortunate to be featured in Plant Engineer magazine and received recognition internally, which opened up new conversations and opportunities. It also gave me the confidence to take on more responsibility and stretch assignments.
How has your career path evolved since winning the Young Engineer Awards?
I’ve been very fortunate in my career journey. After the award, I progressed through several roles at the Environment Agency, starting in the Midlands Supra Area MEICA Team, where I worked on a wide range of engineering activities. I then moved into a national role as a Senior Advisor in Asset Management Systems, which gave me a strategic lens on how we manage Water, Land and Biodiversity assets, such as large water transfer schemes, across the country.
Later, I took on the role of MEICA Business Manager, working closely with technical and business leaders to strengthen engineering and asset management practices, improve risk-based decision-making, and support technical communities that enhanced capability and collaboration across the organisation.
After nine fulfilling years at the Environment Agency, I joined AtkinsRéalis to broaden my experience across sectors. It’s been an exciting transition, and I’ve really enjoyed working with clients in different industries and learning from new perspectives.
What advice would you give to young engineers early in their careers and aspiring to make an impact in the water industry?
- Work hard and stay curious
- Say yes to opportunities, even if they feel outside your comfort zone
- Deliver on your promises - reliability builds trust
- Be kind and collaborative - engineering is a team sport
- Seek feedback regularly - knowing your strengths and areas for growth is key to development
What have been your career highlights since winning the Young Engineer Awards?
The biggest highlight has been working with brilliant people - both at the Environment Agency and now at AtkinsRéalis.
Professionally, I’ve been lucky to contribute to a range of activities – from supporting national strategies and operations to participating in international peer reviews and working groups. Much of my work focused on managing risk and improving performance, ultimately to enable better decision-making under complex constraints.
More recently, at AtkinsRéalis, I’ve been involved in cross-sector initiatives spanning water, aviation and rail - each offering new challenges and learning opportunities.
On a personal note, achieving Chartership and completing an Executive MBA have been milestones. It’s helped me grow as a leader and better connect technical and strategic thinking.
It’s been six years since you won the Professional Category at the Young Engineer Awards 2019. How did you find the transition from a “young engineer” in the early stages of your career to more senior roles?
The transition felt quite natural, largely because I was surrounded by people who believed in me and gave me space to grow. Mentoring younger engineers has also helped; it’s a great way to reflect on your own journey and give back. I’ve also benefited from having mentors who were open to reverse mentoring, which created a two-way learning dynamic and helped build confidence in stepping into more senior roles.
How do you feel water and engineering industry companies can best support their young engineers in this transition?
Trust is everything. Giving young engineers the chance to lead, present and take ownership of work - even in small ways - can make a huge difference. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the trust and support of my managers, mentors and peers. Creating a culture where people feel safe to try, learn and grow is essential.
Nominations for the Young Engineer Awards 2026 are now open. Submit your application before 31st October 2025 to join the Young Engineer Awards roll of honour alongside Ahemd and many more exceptional engineers. The Pump Centre wishes all applicants the best of luck!