Ian Douglas

Ian is Managing Director and founder of Design ID, with nearly three decades of experience across civil, structural and infrastructure engineering. A graduate of Structural Engineering with Architectural Design at Heriot-Watt University and recipient of the Watt Club Medal, he began his career with Arup in London and Glasgow before joining Mott MacDonald in Northern Ireland and establishing Design ID in 2005.

Ian’s experience spans buildings, bridges, civil infrastructure, transportation and rail projects across the UK and Ireland. He provides senior technical leadership on complex multidisciplinary projects, with particular expertise in design coordination, technical assurance, engineering interfaces and the integration of civil and structural design within challenging operational environments.

At the heart of Ian’s approach is a passion for solving problems for clients. Drawing on broad knowledge across multiple engineering disciplines, he is able to see projects holistically, understand the interaction between different elements and identify opportunities that can be missed when disciplines are considered in isolation. His practical and creative approach combines experience, sound engineering judgement and a willingness to challenge conventional solutions to deliver outcomes that are efficient, buildable and responsive to each project’s particular needs.

Today, Ian leads the continued development of Design ID as a multidisciplinary engineering consultancy, combining technical rigour with a practical, design-led approach. He champions buildable, efficient and sustainable engineering, close collaboration across disciplines, and the development of engineering talent throughout the business.