The Society was founded in 1954 as the Midlands Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering Society to promote ideas and promulgate research findings in this continually developing area of technology. An important function is to provide a forum for the exchange of knowledge and experience between practitioners and thus enhance the collective contribution which members can make to engineering practice. Since its foundation, lectures have been presented by some of the most eminent names in the world of Soil Mechanics and Engineering Geology including, Professors Bishop, Skempton, Burland, Hutchinson, Rowe, Vaughan and Penman. In the 1970s it changed its name to the Midland Geotechnical Society to embrace the broader issues arising from an understanding of Geological and, more recently, Geoenvironmental perspectives. In recognition of the latter, an annual Environmental Lecture was established, the first of which was given by Jonathan Porittand followed by Sir Hugh Rossi and other prominent activists in this field.