Mike Sefton, of engineering consultants Buro Happold, has been awarded the Young Structural Engineer of the Year Award for 2008.

This annual award, presented by Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), acknowledges young structural engineers who demonstrate outstanding performance and show exceptional promise for the future.

As a reliable, mature and exceptional member of the Buro Happold team, Mike's quality of thinking and work shows strong potential for the future. The project that Mike entered for the Young Structural Engineer of the Year Award 2008 was the Khan Shatyry Entertainment Centre which is soon to be the centrepiece of Astana, the new capital city of Kazakhstan.


Mike played an integral role in developing the engineering concept to schematic design level and supporting the client in their coordination of the multinational group of specialist subcontractors building the roof. Mike’s central importance as a team leader is an illustration of the trust and comfort Buro Happold, and renowned international architectural practices, have in his abilities.

Bob McKittrick, one of the judges and a past President of IStructE, commented: "The competition this year was very strong but Mike's exceptional ability as an engineer really stood out. The Khan Shatyry Entertainment Centre is a truly significant project that was carried out by an obviously outstanding and very talented young engineer. Buro Happold are fortunate indeed to have such a rare talent from whom I hope we can expect great things in the future."

(CD/JM)