Ross Clarke
Ross graduated from Loughborough University in 2013 with a master’s degree in Automotive Engineering. During his time at university, Ross worked on a joint venture project with JCB to propose a design for a new vehicle to be included in the JCB range. In his final year, he worked in a team to design the drive train system for the University’s Formula Student 2013/2014 vehicle. Since then he has gained over 5 years of engineering experience. Upon graduating from university, he accepted a role as an Engineer at Millbrook Proving Ground. His work included all aspects of testing from components to full vehicle crash safety. His time at Millbrook gained him valuable experience in vehicle collision investigation, and mechanical failure analysis. He was also trained in the use of 3D metrology equipment. In April 2016, Ross setup his own company to provide crash safety consultancy services to OEM’s. He was in a contract with Nissan from March 2016 until December 2018, where he developed their new and existing vehicles’ crash safety performance. He was based in Bedfordshire, but worked throughout Europe. Ross joined Hawkins in January 2019 and is a Senior Associate based in our London office.
Niralee Casson
Niralee is a Chartered Architect with over 10 years of construction industry experience. She has been appointed as an architect expert witness on a variety of technical issues and has supported the named expert on numerous occasions. Niralee’s experience in architectural practice covered the RIBA Plan of Work Stages, including building contracts, consultant appointments, feasibility studies, statutory approvals, developed design, site inspections, and the CDM Principal Designer role. She has broad experience of designing different building types with a specific focus on Build to Rent, co-location and mixed-use residential projects. Niralee has been responsible for other architects and technicians, including design coordination across multi-disciplinary project teams. Niralee specialises in the forensic investigation of building defects, including fire safety and basement waterproofing, where she has undertaken site investigations, reviewed other experts’ reports, re-constructed building models from architectural drawings and produced multiple expert reports for disputed claims. These claims include allegations of architectural professional negligence and regulatory compliance with the Building Regulations and other jurisdictions’ building codes. She is also experienced in opining on the intersection between different design consultants’ responsibility and scope. Niralee is registered with the Architect’s Registration Board (ARB) and is a member of the Royal Institute of British […]
Nick Carey
Nick joined Hawkins in June 2012 after a 27 year career with the London Fire Brigade. During the last 16 years of his fire service career he was a full-time Fire Investigation Officer. In 2009 Nick was awarded a PhD with the University of Strathclyde for his research into the interaction of fire and electrical circuits and the metallic damage to electrical conductors located within fire scenes titled “Developing a reliable systematic analysis for arc fault mapping”. He has undertaken a number of electrical examinations within the UK. This has included multi-agency teams investigating several firefighter fatality incidents and the investigation into the cause of the Cutty Sark fire in Greenwich. Nick has investigated a number of electric shock & electrocution incidents and electrical product failures. He has investigated shipping fire and explosions on behalf of P&I Clubs and cargo interests. He has also investigated a number of fires involving yachts and superyachts overseas. Nick has provided firefighting advice for shipping incidents on a number of occasions. He has given evidence as an expert witness at arbitrations, Coroners’, Crown and Civil courts. He has delivered electrical training to Fire Brigades, Police Forces and Forensic Laboratories and presented at training conferences […]
John Camplin
John started his career in 1992 working as a research technician at the University of York, Chemistry Department where he provided technical support in analytical chemistry, polymer chemistry and surface analysis. In 1998 he was appointed research associate in the Physics Department investigating the optical effects of Giant Magneto Resistant (GMR) devices leading to the design and development of a Scanning Laser Microscope for GMR film mapping. In 2000 he moved to the University of California as a Research Assistant developing Scanning Tunneling Microscopes for the study of nanoscale surface structures. Two years later John moved back to the UK as a Principal Materials Scientist at BAE Systems InfraRed. There he took a key role in developing semi-conductor devices for InfraRed imaging, and computer models for semi-conductor optics. In 2005 John joined Hawkins. Having established himself in the field of fire investigation, he has also been involved in a broad range of forensic engineering investigations including road traffic accidents, mechanical vibration exposure, roller coasters and fairground equipment and semi-conductor engineering. John also has expertise in the areas of cryogenics, process engineering, vacuum engineering, optics and surface chemistry. John is a Principal Associate based in our Leeds Office.
Carl Butler
After his PhD, Carl became a post-doctoral research associate in the Chemical Engineering Department at the University of Cambridge. He studied the chemistry involved with the production of high purity silica and also completed research work for industrial clients using fluidised bed reactors. In 1997, Carl moved to the Process Safety Section of the Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL), an agency of the Health and Safety Executive. His work there, initially as a Higher Scientific Officer, involved the assessments of hazards associated with industrial chemical reaction processes, including runaway chemical reactions, BLEVEs and LPG vapour cloud fires, for which he was a partner in a European Joint Industry Project. Later, as Senior Scientific Officer, he led a research team investigating hazards associated with a wide range of processes, including high pressure water-jetting, fire-engulfment valves, LPG-storage and pool fires. Carl was also involved in large-scale testing to assess the hazards presented by the use of hydrogen as a fuel. His work at HSL also included the investigation of a number of incidents and he was an incident officer for the Process Safety Section. He also produced industry guidance on prevention of over-pressurisation of storage silos. Carl joined Hawkins in 2004 and […]
Stephen Brough
Stephen is a forensic engineer and fire investigator, based in our Leeds office.
Stephen Braund
Stephen is a Chartered Engineer and holds a degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Before joining Hawkins he spent twenty years working in industry. He has industrial experience and expertise in the following areas: Design of systems and equipment for industrial and military stealth technology applications, including information display technology, underwater acoustics, magnetic sensors, data acquisition and telemetry, corrosion and cathodic protection, electrical power and control. Product approval for electrical safety and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) for CE marking. Radio and television broadcast technology, including HF/VHF/UHF transmitters, antennas, microwave, terrestrial and satellite communications and professional studio equipment. Design and development of mass-produced television and computer products. Design and development of electricity meters and related products. Since joining Hawkins in 2003, most of his work has involved investigation of fires, explosions, break-ins, engineering, product liability and personal injury matters. He has expertise in intruder alarm systems and has worked on many cases where fraud or arson was involved. In 2005 Stephen obtained a qualification in the IEE Wiring Regulations and in 2006 he obtained a qualification in Fire Investigation from Edinburgh University. Stephen is a Principal Associate based in our Birmingham office.
Inigo Beckett
Inigo graduated from the University of Warwick with a First-Class Masters Degree in Mathematics having studied topics including Machine Learning, Advanced Real Analysis and Group Theory. His dissertation project explored the mathematics behind Linear Inverse Theory with applications in medical tomography. This included programming in MATLAB to demonstrate the inner workings of a CT-scan using Randomised Algebraic Reconstruction Techniques. Inigo joined Hawkins in 2020 as a Researcher in our Reigate office before progressing to Associate, expanding and strengthening Hawkins’ offerings in Digital Forensic Services. In 2022, he developed and implemented a new 3D Photogrammetric Modelling and Forensic Photogrammetry Service whereby he performs 3D modelling of retained forensic exhibits such as pipes, buildings, fire damaged electrical appliances, vehicles. Inigo applies key mathematical principles in remote-sensing and computer vision to deduce camera positions and lengths of objects. This area of work often coincides with his expertise in producing virtual visualisations & reconstructions, combining digital 3D models of exhibits and scenes to assist interpretations of imagery and videos of interest to insurance and legal professions. Inigo is also an A2 Certificate of Competence (A2CofC) certified drone pilot, regularly assisting clients with aerial surveys on cases relating to fires, structural failures, and personal injuries. […]
Lisa Beck
From South Africa, Lisa obtained a diploma in mechanical engineering and worked for a large wine co-operative in the Stellenbosch wine region. Thereafter, she studied further at the University of cape Town and obtained a science degree in mechanical engineering. In southern and central Africa, Lisa worked in the steel recycling and water tube boiler industries, gaining experience of heavy engineering plant and equipment. Lisa immigrated to the UK and joined Hawkins in 2007 as an Associate fire and engineering investigator in the Reigate office. She investigates fires ranging from domestic to large industrial incidents, and engineering losses ranging from personal injuries to large engineering equipment failures. She has also investigated various bicycle related incidents, drawing on a personal passion for the sport. LANGUAGES Lisa is also proficient in Afrikaans.
Simon Batt
Simon is a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. He received his MEng degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Birmingham in 2004. Simon began his engineering career at Jaguar Land Rover as a mechanical development engineer within the powertrain department, working on petrol and diesel engine development programmes. In 2007, Simon moved to Rolls-Royce where he was able to pursue his interest in engineering thermodynamics by becoming a gas turbine performance engineer. This included working on gas turbine projects for both naval and defence aerospace applications. Following a move to Siemens Energy in 2015, Simon worked on gas turbine engines within the energy sector. He was promoted to Head of Performance for aero-derivative gas turbines and became a leading influence in the area of decarbonisation, having patented an innovation in the operation of gas turbine engines running on hydrogen. After almost 7 years in this role, Simon decided to look for a new challenge and joined Hawkins in 2022 as a Forensic Investigator.