People inspired - introducing Mark Hipwell - Birmingham's 'face of industry' 2017 & a very talented sketcher too!

This year's winner of Birmingham's 'Future Face of Industry' run by Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce is Mark Hipwell. Mark, who works at HS2 Ltd, is a talent and inspiration for young aspiring engineers in many ways. View the article and find out more about Mark.

Mark Hipwell is a talented Bridge Engineer currently working at HS2 Ltd on the Central section of the new High Speed line between Birmingham and London. He's on secondment looking at the Land Access and Property Management elements of the work.

Mark recently took up his passion for sketching again after a brief pause having graduated from University. Technical drawing was his favourite module and as Mark says "there hasn't been much need for it when drowning in Excel spreadsheets & schedules!"

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But in a world of AutoCAD and 3D modelling, a sketch or a picture from an engineer really does paint a 1000 words. Quick meetings with clients or senior engineers when trying to explain a problem or concept really benefits from a sketch with a few lines and arrows to show how a bridge moves or how a structure stands up!

Mark has recently taken up sketching again as a way of capturing the incredible new builds going on in Birmingham at the moment! An example being the new HSBC HQ at Arena Central overlooking (what will be) the gorgeous new designed Centenary Square.

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His sketches have also focused on the development at Paradise Birmingham and the architecturally striking One and Two Chamberlain Square in the heart of Brum. Not to mention the towering Snowhill Three, The Left Bank on Broad Street and Aston University student accommodation!

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Mark says "It’s amazing to watch them getting built, and sketching how they look now & how they’ll look in the future". 

As a young professional, and recent winner of this year’s Future Face of Industry run by Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, Mark finds Birmingham to be a phenomenally exciting city to be living and working in and he says "it’s only getting better!"

We are delighted to be able to showcase Mark as both an inspired engineer and a talented artist and we look forward to sharing more of his work with you.