Education and qualifications:
• BEng (Hons) Fire Engineering (First Class)
• Bond Solon Advanced Professional Certificate in Investigative Practice
• SFJ Level 5 Certificate in Fire Investigation
• Professional Certificate in Fire Investigation
• Professional Certificate in Fire Safety and Building Design (Building Regulations and Complex Buildings)
• Professional Certificate in Incident Command in Fire and Rescue Services
Job title: Head of Fire Compliance
Employer: Balfour Beatty
Please introduce yourself and tell us about your career to date.
I am currently the Head of Fire Compliance at Balfour Beatty, a role I have held for four years. Prior to joining Balfour Beatty, I served as a Senior Fire Engineer at Tenos Fire Engineering Consultants. Earlier in my career, I dedicated 28 years to Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, where I held a variety of operational roles, including operational command, fire protection, and fire investigation officer.
Describe your role or position within your current workplace and describe what a typical working day looks like.
Not many of my days are typical. The projects I tend to be involved with provide new and challenging issues constantly. In my role, I collaborate closely with both internal colleagues and external experts to ensure that all fire safety and fire engineering aspects of our building works meet the highest standards and regulatory requirements. Through rigorous review and oversight, I provide senior leadership with assurance that our business portfolio remains fully compliant. My has assisted the design and construction teams and has contributed towards the delivery of complex projects, including the review and approval of fire safety engineering provisions for major buildings and tunnels.
Are there any particular challenges or unusual aspects to your role?
My responsibilities include reviewing fire safety engineering provisions for the construction of highly complex buildings and tunnels, each presenting unique technical and regulatory challenges. I also ensure that all client-specific requirements and industry standards are met, which can be particularly demanding on major projects.
Is there a great professional achievement or high-profile accomplishment that you would like to tell us about in a previous role or your current one?
During my Fire Service career, I had many occasions where I was proud of what I achieved, such as saving lives in fires or car accidents from an operational viewpoint to passing relevant courses within that profession such as fire investigation and incident command from an academic viewpoint. However, passing the BEng with First Class Honours whilst balancing work, study and home life is one of my proudest achievements and of course being accepted as an Incorporated Engineer is most definitely one of my highlights.
What inspired you to become an engineer or pointed you towards an engineering career?
During my time at Tenos Fire Engineering Consultants, I was fortunate to be mentored and supported by Peter Camp, a director at the firm. Peter Camp's guidance was instrumental in my professional development, and his leadership inspired me, and I wanted his job!
What contributed to your decision to gain IFE membership / become professionally registered?
Being a part of the IFE and gaining professional registration provides me with the confidence to continue to challenge myself. Gaining professional registration demonstrates that I have reached a standard that is acknowledged by my peers and provides clients with confidence in my professionalism.
How have you benefitted from being a member/registrant with the IFE (career, personally)?
Being a member of the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) has opened up new career opportunities by giving potential employers confidence in my professional abilities. The rigorous assessment process required for membership demonstrates my competence in fire safety and fire engineering, and assures clients and employers that I meet high industry standard.
Would you recommend joining the IFE to others? If so, why?
Yes, join! It provides many tools and resources to help you along your career pathway, you can also get involved with special interest groups and help shape the future of fire safety and fire engineering
Is there any advice you would pass on to someone considering professional registration / IFE membership?
Do it! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. I would say though, being organised and planning ahead helps, keep your CPD up to date and make sure you write down your involvement in projects as they occur. Also do not be afraid to ask for help when you need it from someone that has been through the process or from the IFE.