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Iraq and Afghanistan Memorial unveiled in London

09 March 2017

A memorial honouring UK Armed Forces, recognising the contribution made by civilians and the families of those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan between 1990 -2015, has been unveiled in London.

Project managed by Atkins, the £1m monument in Victoria Embankment Gardens was designed by artist Paul Day and run by a board of trustees, whose chairman is former Chief of the Defence Staff Lord Stirrup. The Sun newspaper organised a fundraising appeal for the memorial.

The project team included stone work specialists PAYE; structural engineers Mason, Navarro, Pledge; and architectural firm Donald Insall Associates.

Nick Roberts, Atkins’ UK and Europe chief executive officer, said: “We owe our armed forces a tremendous debt of gratitude and we hope this memorial goes some way to recognising the commitment and sacrifice they have made, and continue to make, for our country. As a member of the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme, we are immensely proud of the strength of our relationship with the military, Regular and Reserve, who continue to have our support, dedication and admiration.”

Valerie Evans, Atkins’ project director, said: “We were pleased and proud to act on behalf of the trustees to project manage the selection of the designer and then to manage the delivery of the construction of the memorial by PAYE. Everyone involved in the project has been hugely cooperative and accommodating”.

Lord Stirrup, chairman of the memorial project's board of trustees, was head of the Armed Forces in his role as Chief of Defence Staff from 2006-10.

He said: "The memorial is to commemorate duty and service, it's not about the campaigns themselves per se, it's about those principles which are important in any civilised society and have always been an integral part of who and what we regard ourselves to be as a nation".

The memorial was unveiled by The Queen on the 9th March in the presence of other members of the Royal Family, the Prime Minister Theresa May, Secretary of State for Defence Sir Michael Fallon and other senior politicians. Ends

Notes to editors:Atkins (www.atkinsglobal.com) is one of the world's most respected design, engineering and project management consultancies, employing some 18, 300 people across the UK, North America, Middle East, Asia Pacific and Europe. We build long term trusted partnerships to create a world where lives are enriched through the implementation of our ideas. You can view Atkins’ recent projects on our website.
 
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