Engineer builds on her studies.

A CIVIL engineer has been credited as a chartered director.

Alison Longstaff, a partner at Cundall, Johnston and Partners LLP, has been credited by the Institute of Directors (IoD).

Alison specialises in design and has worked for a range of companies, including local government, privatised utilities and engineering consultancies.

The 46-year-old graduated from Imperial College, London University in 1983, becoming a chartered engineer in 1990.

Alison joined Cundall in 1997 as an Associate and, after growing the civils business for the practice, was promoted to partner in 2000.

Since 2004, she has been a member of Cundall's management board.

Alison, who is based at Cundall's Gosforth office, in Newcastle, said: "Participation in the IoD Diploma in Company Direction in 2006/ 07 helped to increase my personal contribution to the management board within Cundall.

"I was extremely pleased to pass the Diploma exams and subsequent professional review for Chartered membership and am delighted to have been admitted as a charted director of the Institute of Directors. I am looking forward to becoming part of the Chartered Director Network."