Alison Watson MBE

Alison Watson MBE is a former land surveyor and the founder and Chief Executive of education consultancy and social enterprise ‘Class Of Your Own’, established in 2009.

She created the innovative “Design Engineer Construct!” (DEC) accredited learning programme for secondary school students, supported by world-leading companies, professional bodies and universities through the ground breaking 'Adopt A School' scheme. DEC is delivered in schools throughout the UK and internationally and is embedded in social value strategies that lead to a wide range of technical and professional career opportunities for young people.

Alison represented Youth and Learning on the 2015/7 Construction Industry Training Board
Council and led the 'BIM4Education' research project which focused on improving technical teaching in the education sector.

Alison was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in Her Majesty The Queen’s 2018 New Year Honours for services to education.

In 2019, Heriot-Watt University recognised Alison with an Honorary Degree in Engineering “for her immense contribution to the sector and for forging new links between industry, academia and young people.”

She was presented with Civil Engineering Surveyors (CICES) President’s Award in 2013 and Richard Carter Prize in 2014. In 2019, Alison was nominated CICES Honorary Fellow and in April 2022, elected Vice President of the Institution. She will take up her presidential role in 2024.