Consultant Geotechnical and Geo-Environmental Specialist
Education History & Professional Background
- 2009 – Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, FICE
- 1982 – Chartered Civil & Geotechnical Engineer, CEng
- 1975 – Kings College, University of London, BSc (Hons), Civil Engineering
- 1969 – Wade Deacon Grammar School for Boys, Widnes
- 1985 – Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) Private Pilots Licence
PPL single engine land fixed wing airplanes up to 2500kg - 1976 – Full UK driving licence
Key Skills
- UK and International Geotechnical Expert for Dispute Resolution with Client, Consultant and Contractor Organisations
- Bond Solon Expert Witness CUB
- Cross examined by National Audit Office/Public Accounts Committee for highway construction and contractual disputes on behalf of Dft as expert witness
- Onshore and Offshore Geotechnical Engineering
- Contributor to National & International Geotechnical Standards
- Client Skills and Client Liaison
- Supervising Civil Engineer (SCE) on behalf of Institution of Civil Engineers
- PTS Safety Card
Major Committees served and represented UK Plc
- World Road Association (PIARC) Technical Committee TC12
- CEN/BSI European Product Standard for Geotextiles
- CEN/BSI Eurocode EC7 Geotechnics
- BSI B526 Code of Practice for Site Investigation BS5930
- BSI B526 Code of Practice for Laboratory Testing BS 2001
- Chairman Technical Project Board (TPB) Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works MCHW1 500Series Drainage & 600 Series Earthworks
- Chairman Technical Project Board (TPB) Design Manual for Roads and Bridges DMRB Vol4 (HD22/92 Geotechnical Certification, HA44/91 Earthworks, Advice Note for Maintenance of Highway Earthworks, Geotechnical Data Management System GDMS pilot etc. )
- CIRIA Steering Group for evaluating Geotechnical R&D Proposals from Industry and Government. Invited member of CIRIA workshops to brainstorm future strategic direction eg sustainability, Eurocodes etc
- Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) Key customer for TRL as Highways Agency commission £1M pa Geotechnical spend under customer held budgets (CHB). Customer policy approval of TRL R&D reports prior to placement in public domain
- Chairman Highways Agency Geotechnics & Ground Engineering (GAGE) Group Manager reviewing monthly spend and business plan targets, £250k pa geotechnical call off contract for Geotechnical Certification HD22/92. Final approval and point of responsibility within HA for all geotechnical proposals and departures from standard on D&B, DBFO, PFI contracts.
- Selby Rail/Road Crash team member of working group to prepare proposals and costs to re-open line and highway in the immediate aftermath of the incident.
- National Audit Office (NAO) Study into sources of cost increases on highway construction contracts. Preparation of briefing material for Permanent Secretary appearance before Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing.
- Institution of Civil Engineers Steering Group Volumes 1 to 4 Without Site Investigation Ground is a hazard
- Institution of Civil Engineers Steering Group on Risk Management within Geotechnics
- Institution of Civil Engineers Working Group Specification for Site Investigation, subsequently adopted in Highways Agency documentation in MCHW1
- Institution of Chartered Surveyors Specification for Geodetic (Topographic) surveys, subsequently adopted in Highways Agency documentation.
- International Conferences And Trade Fairs Principal speaker for Highways Agency on Geotechnical matters including media appearances and public relations liaison, briefing for ministers and senior HA officials.
Geotechnical Disputes
Visit our dedicated Geotechnical Disputes page.
Employment History
- 2019 – Present
Dispute Resolution and Independent Geotechnical Consultant
WILGEO Ltd - 2018 – 2019
Lead Geotechnical
HS2 Phase2b - 2017 – 2018
Head of Geotechnics
EMS Geo-Environmental - 2017
Final Reviewer and Approver
Chelmer Global Ltd - 2017
Employers Representative
Crest Developments / Campbell Reith - 2016 – 2017
Director & Owner
WILGEO Ltd - 2015 – 2016
Associate Director (Geotechnical Engineering)
CAPITA SPECIAL PROJECTS - 2014 – 2015
Head of Structures & Geotechnical Engineering
BALFOUR BEATTY Ltd - 2013 – 2014
Head of Geotechnical Engineering
DEEPOCEAN UK Ltd - 2012 – 2013
Director & Owner
WILGEO Ltd - 2009 – 2012
Associate Director/Director of Geotechnics
Egniol Environmental Ltd - 2008 –2009
Assistant Chief Engineer
Metronet - 2005 – 2008
Independent Geotechnical Consultant
Wilgo Geo - 2003 – 2005
Business Manager (Principal)
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) - 2002 – 2003
Team Leader (Policy)
Department for Transport (DfT) - 1992 – 2002
Group Manager & Head of Geotechnics
Highways Agency, Directorate of Quality Services Civil Engineering. - 1985 – 1992
Team Leader (Principal Grade)
Dept of Environment / Property Services Agency - 1977 – 1985
Project Engineer
Dames & Moore International - 1975 – 1977 > Graduate Engineer
Rofe Kennard & Lapworth Consulting Engineers - 1974
Graduate Engineer
North West Road Construction Unit