Nico Zurcher

Prior to becoming an investigator, Nico worked in a international environmental consultancy where he was involved in a number of major government marine projects in Hong Kong, as well as oil and gas, and mining projects around Asia. In 2011 he joined HFS-Asia in Hong Kong, where he worked as a fire investigator and consulting scientist. In 2015, Nico moved to London where he joined Hawkins to bolster our growing International and Shipping Incidents team. He continued investigating a broad range of land-based and marine incidents, both in the UK and internationally. He was also a member of our contamination team, taking on cases in the UK and Europe. Hawkins acquired HFS-Asia in 2016 and in 2020 Nico returned to Hong Kong to head the office he helped to build several years earlier. Nico has investigated several fires in large industrial plants, as well as in commercial and residential premises. On the marine side, he has investigated major fires on container and general cargo vessels. He has worked on numerous cases of bulk cargo spoilage, involving grains, oil seeds and seedcake. Nico has also worked on cases involving the carriage and storage of mixed chemical cargoes, and the contamination of […]
Cracking Up: Common Causes of Fracture Related to Pre-Existing Features

Sometimes a fracture is mildly irritating, leading to cosmetic impairment or slight loss of functionality. However, fracture can also lead to catastrophic failure, which can cause inconvenience, expense, or in the worst case, loss of life.
Hawkins Winter Events Round-Up

Hawkins attended over 70 different conferences, seminars and social gatherings, we welcomed 17 new experts to the business, and we hosted our annual winter receptions in London, Dubai, Singapore, and Hong Kong, allowing us to spend time with clients in person.
Hawkins Latest Webinars

Join our experts as they present on topics which include the challenges faced while investigating failures within the power industry, and the many issues that can arise through improper consideration of acoustics, noise and vibration.
Causes of Germination Failure in Cereal Crops – Part 3: Pests and Diseases

This article explores cereal crop germination failure, highlighting pests and diseases’ roles. It stresses financial repercussions on farmers, encompassing seed, field prep, and related costs due to crop failure. Pests (slugs, frit fly, leatherjackets, wheat bulb fly, wireworm) and diseases (Septoria & Fusarium seedling blights) contribute to germination issues. It underscores considering various factors and recommends certified seed sources to alleviate risks.
Hawkins Adds Five Top-of-the-Range HIROX Microscopes to its Laboratories

Hawkins is pleased to announce the arrival of HIROX RX 100 microscopes to five of our UK laboratories.
Hawkins Welcomes Chemical Engineer Sam A’Court

Hawkins is delighted to welcome Chemical Engineer, Sam A’Court , to our Reigate office.
Hawkins Welcomes Materials Engineer Virginie Landais

Hawkins is delighted to welcome Virginie Landais to our expanding team of materials experts. Virginie brings extensive experience in materials characterisation, particularly degradation and failure mechanisms.
Hydrogen Embrittlement – how can a gas make a metal brittle?

Hydrogen, from its explosive potential to its benign, life giving properties after reacting with oxygen, is one of the most dynamic elements.
Virginie Landais

Dr Virginie Landais: Hawkins’ Escapes of Water, Oil & Gas, Material Engineering & Metallurgy expert.