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.
Patrick Barbour
Having obtained a Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering, Patrick spent two years designing sub-sea wellhead equipment for the North Sea oil industry. He then returned to Leeds University to carry out research into the wear of polymers used in artificial hip joints. Having gained a PhD, he continued his research and lectured Mechanical Engineering at Leeds University. Patrick joined Dr J H Burgoyne and Partners LLP in 2000 to investigate incidents involving personal injury and mechanical failure for insurers and solicitors. During this time the findings of his investigations were used in numerous court cases, both civil and criminal, and he attended arbitrations and mediations to present expert evidence. In 2008 Patrick joined Hawkins in our Bristol office where he continues to use his expertise to investigate incidents of personal injury and mechanical failure. Patrick’s cases have involved the safety of systems of work and the failure of engineering components in commercial and domestic installations. These cases can require the analysis of stress and failure modes of a variety of materials, loads generated by static and moving bodies, thermodynamics and fluid flow as well as the safety of systems of work and the safety of interlocking systems intended to prevent […]
Rob Baldock
Rob graduated from Cambridge University in 2003 with first-class B.A. and MEng degrees focused on structural and mechanical engineering. In collaboration with Arup, he completed his PhD in 2007, investigating the application of structural optimisation to building design. Rob then worked in Arup’s London Buildings Group for more than 6 years on diverse local and international projects in various sectors. These included long-span and transfer structures, deep basements, and tensile fabric roofs. Rob also has practical site experience, working on secondment to the contractor at Canary Wharf Crossrail Station and as resident engineer on a school construction in the Indian Himalayas. Rob is very experienced in structural glass design, having spent over 6 years at Eckersley O’Callaghan, where he was involved with iconic and pioneering projects associated with façade systems. He has managed the design of glazing systems on a number of international flagship Apple stores, including the hemispherical Marina Bay Sands store in Singapore, and has lead collaborations with major glazing contractors. He was also the lead engineer for a pair of complex pedestrian bridge structures, linking office buildings over a public highway. Rob joined Hawkins’ Built Environment Team in early 2022 with 14 years of building design experience working as […]
Richard Baker
Richard joined Hawkins in 2017 as a Chartered Mechanical Engineer. He graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2009 with a First Class Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering. Richard has previously occupied the roles of Engineer, Senior Engineer and Principal Engineer. He now specialises in the forensic investigation of road traffic accidents/collisions, vehicle and mechanical failures, and image analysis typically of video recordings from CCTV systems and ‘dash-cams’. Richard has extensive experience in engineering design and analysis. As well as taking on more traditional mechanical engineering cases, such as those involving failures of mechanical joints and fasteners, Richard uses his experience in engineering data analysis and interrogation in cases involving video analysis. Richard applies scientific analysis methods to video recordings to facilitate interpretation of events in the context of space (position), time, speed, and the fundamental scientific and engineering principles that bound the problem. This work includes video clarification and enhancement, relating to single and multiple vehicle accidents, and collisions involving pedestrians and cyclists. This area of Richard’s work often strongly overlaps with his expertise in collision investigation and Richard is regularly instructed to deal with both Video Analysis Expert and Collision Reconstruction Expert aspects of a case. Richard has […]