Bernard is a Chartered Engineer (CEng) with the Institution of Civil Engineers (MICE). He joined Hawkins in 2016, enhancing the company’s civil engineering capabilities. Since then, he has investigated over 250 cases involving civil, structural, and built environment issues. His expertise includes basement water ingress, cracked or shattered glazing, building collapses, cladding failures (including rendered external wall insulation or EWI), storm and vibration damage, solar panel installations, and roof issues. Bernard advises on Building Regulations and design standards, and he reviews and investigates performance using engineering principles and testing.
Bernard combines technical expertise with a passion for clear communication. In 2017, he won the Institution of Civil Engineers’ ‘Pitch 180’ competition by explaining subsidence in 180 seconds using confectionery.
He graduated from Cambridge University in 2010 with a degree in Engineering, specializing in Civil, Structural, and Environmental Engineering. Sponsored by Skanska UK during his studies, he gained experience on highways and rail sites.
After graduation, Bernard joined Arup’s Advanced Technology and Research team. He worked on a variety of specialist technical problems, oversaw site work as a Resident Engineer seconded to Kier Construction, and assessed existing structures across the built environment.
At Arup, Bernard provided technical advice for structures in masonry, timber, concrete, and steel, under various conditions including new builds, refurbishments, and repairs. He conducted structural assessments and designed modifications for structures ranging from Victorian railway buildings to modern reinforced concrete garment factories in Bangladesh following the Rana Plaza disaster. He advised on testing and investigations of poor-quality concrete and worked on projects where structural vibration was critical, including low-vibration laboratory design, analysis of vibrating industrial structures and equipment, and vibration-isolated rail design.
