NCE grows up with exciting new look

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When we sat down six months ago to talk about a new look for NCE, the goal was clear. I wanted a more grown up, modern magazine that not only informed, enthused and excited readers, but left every reader proud to be part of this great civil engineering community.

As you flick through the magazine this week I hope that you agree that we have succeeded. I hope that you are enthused, excited and proud of what is now in front of you.

Yes, a new-look magazine, with some new, improved and enhanced content. But it's more than that. For embedded in the "new" New Civil Engineer is nce.co.uk - our brand new website and a vital port of call for every member of the civil engineering community.

And for the first time we have really integrated our established weekly news, analysis and features output with our 24-hour up-to-minute on-line technology. The result is a seamless resource - more information, more interaction - an NCE for the demanding 21st century civil engineer.
In many ways we are fortunate that this is an unprecedented time for UK civil engineering. Not only are you incredibly busy, but your workload is exciting, challenging profitable and in many cases historic - not least the new High Speed One rail route as featured this week.

Certainly the civil engineering landscape has changed dramatically in the eight years since we last revamped NCE. Not least we have seen the emergence and impact of new twin global threats from climate change and terrorism - threats which have without question had a major impact on your businesses.

All this has, of course, impacted our coverage and will continue to do so going forward. Yet despite all the change, our guiding principles still remain true. As before, NCE today must continue to be useful, to be authoritative and to be adventurous with everything we do each week. Certainly we must continue to challenge what we see, but keep the needs of 21st century civil engineers at our heart.

Hence the formation of NCE's new industry group which met for the first time last week. While we have always kept close to the industry, this is the first time that we have formally set up such a group. I know that this knowledgeable and enthusiastic bunch of designers, contractors, specialists and clients will help to keep us on track with the issues that are driving and influencing your working lives.
Staying embedded in your lives continues to be a crucial part of NCE's strategy going forward - retaining our position as your trusted voice for civil engineering. And everything in this latest redesign underlines my passionate desire for NCE to be your magazine, to represent your voice in your community.

For while NCE is written and edited to keep civil engineers up-to-date on what and who is new in the industry - and of course what's standing up and falling down - we realise that it is also very much your shop window. NCE is your way to demonstrate to the outside world your passion and your excitement for civil engineering.

So whether you are a young engineer carving out your career, an experienced professional working hard to stay ahead of developments, a client, a supplier or, for that matter, in any way involved or interested in civil engineering, NCE has never been better placed to help.

I look forward to an exciting future together.

Antony Oliver is editor of NCE