My career in fire safety began at Aviva as a Technical Underwriter, assessing fire risks for major developments. This sparked a lasting interest in fire engineering, leading me to earn degrees in Nanotechnology (BSc), Materials Science (MSc), and an integrated Masters/PhD in Mechanical Engineering, plus Postgraduate Certificates in Further Education and Fire Engineering. Before joining Jensen Hughes, I was Senior Fire Engineer at RPS Group (now Tetra Tech), leading fire strategies for major nuclear projects and developing expertise in risk-based fire safety design.
Now, as Regional Energy Lead for the Middle East and India at Jensen Hughes, I oversee Nuclear, Renewables, and Mission Critical sectors, specialising in Nuclear Fire Engineering. I value organisations that foster growth and mentorship, which have shaped my technical expertise and leadership in fire engineering.
In my current role, I manage fire and life safety services across Nuclear, Renewables, and Mission Critical sectors, balancing technical oversight, strategic leadership, and team development. I build client relationships, plan workloads, allocate resources, and provide quality assurance and technical guidance. Mentoring junior engineers and fostering team growth are key priorities. I collaborate internationally to share best practices, contribute to major Middle East infrastructure proposals, and represent the team at industry conferences. Committed to continuous learning, I stay updated on emerging research and technologies to ensure our work reflects the latest advances in fire and life safety engineering.
Definitely the combination of technical challenge, strategic leadership, and people development. I enjoy delivering innovative solutions across nuclear, renewables, and mission critical projects, mentoring and supporting the growth of my team, and building strong relationships with clients. The satisfaction comes from knowing that our work has a tangible impact on critical infrastructure, while also fostering a culture of continuous learning and excellence within the organisation.
One of the most significant achievements in my career was leading the fire engineering strategy for one of the UK’s largest nuclear new build decommissioning projects while at RPS Group. This role required developing highly specialised fire safety solutions within a complex regulatory environment, coordinating a multi-disciplinary team, and ensuring all designs met rigorous national and international standards. The standard of the Safety Case engineers on the project made me really reflect on my fire engineering practice, this improved my skills dramatically.
More recently, at Jensen Hughes, I have been instrumental in building and developing our capabilities across the Middle East, including preparing technical proposals for major infrastructure projects, presenting at international conferences, and fostering knowledge-sharing across global teams. Being able to influence the growth and expertise of the team while delivering high-impact projects has been particularly rewarding and remains a highlight of my career.
My interest in engineering grew from my early work assessing fire risks at Aviva, where I saw firsthand how technical expertise can make a real difference in safety and resilience. I was fascinated by the challenge of solving complex problems, which inspired me to pursue further studies in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, and Fire Engineering. This combination of curiosity, problem-solving, and tangible impact naturally guided me towards a career in engineering
Upgrading my membership was a natural progression as I transitioned from academic learning to a professional career in fire engineering. As I took on increasingly senior roles and specialist responsibilities, particularly in nuclear and mission critical projects, I wanted to align myself more closely with the IFE’s professional community. Full membership provides access to a broader network of peers, resources, and professional recognition, which supports continuous development, knowledge sharing, and engagement with best practices across the field.
The professional recognition and credibility that comes with full membership have been particularly important, helping to strengthen my interactions with clients and collaborators across the nuclear, renewables, and mission critical sectors, while supporting my ongoing personal development and delivery of complex projects.
Since upgrading to full membership, I’ve found it easier to connect with others in the profession and learn from their experiences, which has really helped me stay up to date and improve the way I work. The recognition and credibility that come with full membership have also given me more confidence in dealing with clients and colleagues and reminded me of the importance of ongoing growth and leadership in my career.
Yes, I would definitely recommend it. Full membership brings professional recognition and credibility, helps you stay up to date with best practices, and supports personal and career growth within fire engineering.
I would encourage them to upgrade when they feel ready to take the next step in their career. Full membership brings professional recognition, helps build credibility, and provides opportunities for continuous learning and development. It’s a great way to demonstrate commitment to the profession.