A very experienced Geotechnical engineer who has gained experience in most fields of Geotechnical Engineering both in the UK and overseas.
I always wanted to get a job that was not office bound, and was relevant to my degrees. To that end, almost by accident, I got into Geotechnical Engineering, as at the time I felt this was best suited to my Honours degree which was in Engineering Geology.
I have always, even from a very early age, been interested in Geology and all things Geological. When I came to decide on what course to do at University there was only one choice despites careers teachers trying to change my mind.
I graduated with two degrees in Geology and Engineering Geology just at the time a recession was hitting the country (yes we have had them before). Jobs for graduates were rare but I was very fortunate to get a job with a major site investigation contractor almost straight away. I started in the geotechnical testing laboratory learning basics about geotechnical testing both soil and rock. The role developed into supervision of site investigations of varying sizes, and being able to develop geotechnical design and report skills.
I stayed on the contracting side of things for about 12 years before I eventually moved into consultancy. There can be no discipline within the general Civil Engineering umbrella that requires such a diverse skill set as Geotechnical Engineering. No job is ever the same as the last one and often requires a different method of approach and analysis every time. When I have changed employers I have always done so with a view that the change would introduce me to new skills and experiences to broaden my expertise.
As my career progressed I have been lucky in working all over the UK and many places overseas which in themselves have generated their own challenges. I am particular interested in training and developing the younger Geotechnical Engineers who are coming onto the job scene for the first time.
Without a doubt this has to be the Sport City Earthworks and reclamation scheme for Manchester City football club. The job had to be completed in an almost impossible time scale, to ensure funding, during one of the coldest winters in recent years. By working as a team both within the various disciplines of BWB and the earthworks/remediation contractor we not only managed to complete the tendered works to programme but also undertook an element of additional work which added value to the scheme for the Client.
I am an avid reader and have a particular interest in astro – archaeology, particularly with reference to the Gizza Plateau in Egypt. I am currently looking to write a book on this subject when I have finished my research which will no doubt will be a best seller and make me a fortune.
Who knows? One thing for sure I’ll still be involved in Geotechnical Engineering, and I have no intention of retiring!
