This is a sponsored article on behalf of the Institute of Civil Engineers.
From the Eye to the Underground, London is chock-full of awe-inspiring feats of engineering. Where better then to discover the next generation of bright sparks set to transform cities and towns than the UK home of engineering, One Great George Street?
On Monday 26 November, the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) keeps its stunning, Grade II listed HQ open late to welcome 13 marvellous young engineers from around the world for the Pitch 200 Global Grand Final. In celebration of ICE's 200th anniversary, these finalists will go head-to-head to show off their work in the most curious and unconventional way possible. But there's a catch: they have only 200 seconds in which to do so. No pressure, then.
You're invited to watch engineers from Australia, Hong Kong, India, The Netherlands, and the UK battle it out to impress an expert panel of judges. It's your chance to find out how engineering is integrated into our daily lives and get inspired by new ideas in a high stakes, Dragons' Den-esque setting.
ITV big wig Sir Peter Bazalgette — the great-grandson of Sir Joseph Bazalgette, the Victorian visionary who built London's sewage system — will oversee deliberations. He's joined by the Royal Academy of Engineering Head of Enterprise Ana Avaliani, inventor and The One Show reporter Dr Marty Jopson, Stephen Metcalfe MP HM Government Envoy for the Year of Engineering, and ICE President's Future Leader Ayo Sokale. But it's not all about the judges. You, the audience, can stick your oar in by submitting your questions to the speakers as they deliver their pitches.
All that excitement is sure to work up your appetite, so make a beeline for the ICE HQ kitchen in the Great Hall during the interval for snacks and drinks. Don't linger there for too long, though, because you'll want plenty of time to take in the sprawling building's gorgeous Edwardian architecture before returning to your seats to see which finalist will emerge victorious.
With big ideas, fast-paced pitches and a suitably swanky setting, the Pitch 200 Global Grand Final promises to be a high octane night of discovery. And did we mention that it's totally free to attend?
The Pitch 200 Global Grand Final takes place 6.30pm-9.15pm on Monday 26 November. Book your free ticket here.
