Annual Lecture 20 March 2026
The KCLEA Spring event is a Prestige Lecture for KCLEA members and a wider community
– showing the Role of Kings Engineering and its Alumni in making a better world.
Almost a Lifetime Leading Changes across Engineering
Jo Streeten (née James) will reflect on how studying engineering at King's College London provided the foundation for a 40-year career shaped by continuous change and opportunity.
She started her career as a project engineer at the BBC, where she witnessed—and helped deliver—major transformations in broadcasting,
including the launch of new channels and the transition to widescreen and digital technologies.
Recognising that change creates opportunity, she moved into the management of complex property and construction programmes, including the BBC's headquarters and disposal of Bush House, broadening her impact beyond traditional engineering roles.
In the second half of her career, after joining the global infrastructure consultancy AECOM she grew its built environment business of which she is now t
he Europe and India managing director. It has delivered notable projects such as London 2012 Olympic park and has been keenly focussed on introducing the changes needed to create a more sustainable built environment.
During this period, she has also seen the engineering profession itself evolve, with women gaining a stronger voice in shaping the places and systems
we all use.
Looking ahead, she will consider the next major wave of transformation already underway: Artificial Intelligence. AI presents both significant challenges and extraordinary opportunities for future engineers. It will fundamentally change how we design, build, and operate infrastructure, requiring new skills, ethical frameworks, and ways of thinking.
Just as digital transformation reshaped broadcasting and sustainability reshaped construction, AI will reshape engineering itself—and those who engage with it early will help define the next era of progress.
This Event is open to all interested in Engineering, International Project management, Infrastructure, Career paths,
The Lecture and Reception are free to attend - but to help us with numbers please register
Before and After the lecture we have a opportunity to network and engage with the speaker over drink and ample refreshments –
We look forward to an audience from all areas of the Engineering Industries or with Interest in the excellence of Kings College London.
Alumni will need you Alumni Number found in Alumni office emails - Others will register without the number
Joanna Streeten is the Managing Director of the global infrastructure company AECOM Buildings and Places business for Europe and India which comprises AECOM's design and project and cost management capabilities.
She has responsibility for the delivery of the major portfolio of buildings and masterplans it delivers over the region.
Jo graduated in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from King's College London and is a chartered engineer and qualified project manager.
She has over 35 years of project delivery experience in engineering and construction. She has held senior positions in both client companies and professional consultancy firms.
Jo is former board member of the Association for Consultancy in Engineering and is currently a Trustee of the Royal Ballet and Opera.
Friday 20 March 2026 Kings Building Strand campus
5:45pm to 6:20pm Arrive and start meeting others over a Drink in the Council room
6:25pm Move to the Nash Lecture Theatre
6:30pm Welcome by Peter Weitzel President of KCLEA
6:35pm Lecture by Jo Streeten
7:30pm Networking and Refreshments
Event end 9pm
The Meeting will be held on the Nash Theatre which commemorates Prof JKT Nashwho spent much of his career at Kings
Lecturer, 1946-1951, Reader, 1951-1961 Professor 1961-1981 Head of Department of Civil Engineering 1971- 1981;
Assistant Principal, King's College London, 1973-1977. He died suddenly at Home on 24 April 1981 – his 59th Birthday.
Kevin Nash had a lifelong interest in Soil mechanics and a devotion to Engineering education.
His Intuitive feel for soil mechanic problems made him an international expert – and much demand as a consultant –
and as General Secretary of the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering.
He was an inspiring teacher whether in lecture or in labs and research – drawing on his vast experience and analytic mind.
How to get to the Strand Campus
The Event will be accessed via the Strand Building Entrance off the pedestrianised Strand at the Aldwych. https://w3w.co/gears.pinch.third
Please enter and go to the KCLEA desk and then follow directions via the Entrance Hall of the Kings Building to the First Floor – or by the South lift.
The Council Room is on the South end and the Nash Theatre towards the North end of the Kings building overlooking the Quad
(under which there are the Engineering labs)
KCL Strand Campus is served by a vast number of Buses From North, South, East and West.
See TFL site: https://content.tfl.gov.uk/bus-route-maps/aldwych-a4-300923.pdf
And the following Tube and National Rail:
Temple (District and Circle line ) 7 min walk
Holborn (Central and Piccadilly line) 7 min walk
Covent Garden (Piccadilly line) 8 min walk
Charing Cross (Bakerloo and Northern line and National Rail) 12 min walk
Tottenham Court Road (Elizabeth. Central and Northern line) 14 mins walk
Waterloo (National Rail, Jubilee Northern and Bakerloo lines)18 min walk
Farrington (Thames Link and Elizabeth line) 20 mins walk.
KCLEA inaugurated the concept of an Annual Lecture on Engineering topics after the Faculty of Engineering was closed in 2013.
Various branches of Engineering were reinstated later,
and in Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Science on St Thomas and Guys campuses.
Details of previous KCLEA Annual Lectures can be found here