Mr President, distinguished guests, members of Council, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, it is a great honour to be awarded the Gold Medal of The Institution of Structural Engineers. I have served the Institution in many capacities and the opportunity given to me to serve as your President for the session 1997–98 was a great honour and was a high point of my professional career. The recognition you have now given to me is beyond expectation and I cannot find words to adequately express my feelings. I have worked closely with gifted engineers whose abilities are internationally recognised, and I refer to colleagues from many countries of the world. I am deeply indebted to them for their encouragement and support without which I would not have developed particular skills. It is the realisation that one is dependent on the support of colleagues that leads to the understanding an honour reflects the generous contributions of many who remain anonymous. Sam Thorburn