He is the highest profile civil engineer to be honoured in otherwise thin pickings for the construction industry.

Dilley ranks as one of the world’s leading engineers and led Arup as it contributed to Crossrail, the Olympic Park, the Shard and development of V&A Dundee.

He joined Arup as a graduate engineer in 1976 and in 2004 was appointed head of Arup’s Europe and Middle East Region where he was responsible for delivering over 50% of the firm’s global turnover

Also from the world of consultancy, Richard Coackley, Director of Energy Development at URS, picks up a CBE for services to civil engineering.

He is a former past president of the Institution of Civil Engineers, and before that led the energy business of WYG.

In the early 1980s he worked with Sir Alfred McAlpine to construct Dinorwic Pumped Storage Scheme in North Wales.

Michael Hurn, Department for Transport project sponsorship director for HS2, is awarded a CBE for services to the rail industry.

David Hodgkiss, chief executive of steelwork contractor William Hare, receives an OBE for services to manufacturing and exporting.

Valerie Todd, Commissioner for the UK Commission for Employment and Skills and Resources Director at Crossrail receives a CBE for services to Skills Training and Development of Young People.

Among the senior women to receive an honour is economist Kate Barker, a former member of the Monetary Policy Committee, who becomes a dame.

She also conducted a major reviews on housing supply and planning, and is now a non-executive member of the Office for Budget Responsibility.