Please introduce yourself and tell us about your career to date.
My career in the fire industry started a little different to most; I joined the Royal Air Force as a firefighter in 2005. During my training I was encouraged to join the IFE as a Student member, and on receiving copies of the IFE journal I became fascinated by the concept of fire engineering, which eventually led me to hang up the boots and transition into fire safety.
I later joined the NHS as a fire safety advisor, where I also commenced a Master’s degree in Fire Engineering. During my studies I joined the private sector as a fire consultant, of which I have been able to gain experience delivering a wide range of fire safety services across the UK and internationally.
Describe your role or position within your current workplace and what a typical working day looks like?
I am a Principal Consultant working at Maze Fire Consulting. I am fortunate to have a varied workload which can involve engaging with clients both virtually and in person, conducting detailed surveys across a wide variety of building types, and producing comprehensive fire safety reports. I also utilise advanced computational software to undertake complex fire engineering analyses that inform safe and efficient design solutions.
In addition to project work, I actively invest in professional development by attending industry conferences and staying abreast of emerging trends and technical advancements. This year, I have undertaken Python programming and expert witness courses, I was also privileged to represent Maze Fire Consulting at the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat Conference in Toronto, an event that brings together leading professionals in the design and construction of tall buildings and urban environments.
Are there any particular challenges or unusual aspects to your role?
As a fire engineer and a fire risk assessor I get to face a range of challenges such as addressing unusual or complex fire safety problems where there is no obvious solution. These situations often require creative problem-solving and a deep understanding of fire engineering principles.
A couple of recent challenges include modelling the evacuation of large numbers of occupants in tall mixed-use buildings with complex layouts. Another project required me to assess whether it was safe to have bedrooms at the top of a tower in a 12th century former priory building.
What do you find most enjoyable about your job?
I enjoy the variety of the project work both developing fire strategies through to risk assessing unusual and complex buildings.
I particularly enjoy working on challenging projects that require a lot of problem-solving. Developing bespoke fire safety solutions that deliver both safe and practical outcomes is especially rewarding.
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?
Attaining my Master’s degree with first-class honours stands out as a major achievement, especially as I left school with few qualifications. Since then, I’ve gone on to complete a Level 6 award in external wall appraisals with RICS, a Level 7 award in expert witness evidence and attaining Chartered Engineer registration.
Professionally, my work has ranged from developing fire strategies for complex historic buildings dating back to the 14th century to contributing to evacuation strategies for super high-rise “vertical city” buildings designed for tens of thousands of occupants.
What inspired you to become an engineer or pointed you towards an engineering career?
It was during my early years in the RAF that a mentor introduced me to the IFE. Reading the IFE journals and learning about the science behind fire engineering inspired me to pursue the discipline further and ultimately shaped my career path.
What contributed to your decision to gain IFE membership / become professionally registered?
Competence is central to our profession, and for me, being able to demonstrate this was vital. Professional registration as a risk assessor provides the recognition of my skills and knowledge, while also instilling confidence in both clients and the wider public.
In 2025, I also registered through the IFE as a Chartered Engineer, this was a milestone that reflected years of dedication and professional growth.
What drove you to join the IFE’s Fire Risk Assessors register and how do you benefit from being on it?
Joining the IFE’s Fire Risk Assessors Register was an important step in demonstrating my professional competence and commitment to maintaining high standards.
Being registered as a fire risk assessor also enhances my professional credibility and offers assurance to clients, stakeholders, and regulatory bodies that I am competent to carry out assessments.
How have you benefitted from being a member/registrant with the IFE (career, personally)?
Membership and professional registration with the IFE have opened doors to a wide variety of interesting and high-profile projects, from complex heritage buildings to super high-rise developments. Personally, it has given me a sense of achievement and belonging within a professional community that shares the same standards and aspirations.
Are you involved in the IFE in any other capacity (e.g. branch, volunteer, with a SIG)? If you are, could you tell us a bit more about that?
Yes, I volunteer with the IFE by reviewing EngTech applications. I have also supported others who have found me through the IFE register, to assist them in achieving their goals which have included registering with and via the IFE, as well as advising those undertaking academic studies or entering the industry.
Would you recommend joining the IFE to others? If so, why?
Definitely. Joining the IFE has been a valuable step in my professional journey. Becoming professionally registered not only reinforces confidence within the industry and among the public but also demonstrates a clear commitment to maintaining high standards in fire safety.
Through the IFE I have been able to network with like-minded professionals and keep abreast of emerging trends, research and innovation within industry.
Is there any advice you would pass on to someone considering joining the IFE Fire Risk Assessors register?
Achieving registration is an excellent way to demonstrate professional competence, build credibility, and instil confidence among clients and peers within the fire safety sector. The process itself encourages reflection on your experience and understanding, helping to identify areas for continued development.
Beyond the recognition, being on the IFE register connects you with a respected professional community and reinforces your commitment to maintaining high standards of fire risk assessment practice. It’s a worthwhile investment in both your professional reputation and personal growth.