You’ve had 25+ years’ experience in fire, health and safety. What inspired you into this field of work? 

My route into this industry was initially via premises management. I thrive knowing that I’ve helped in some small, pragmatic and practical way to make buildings safer. I’m a natural problem-solver and I’ve always enjoyed subjects such as science and maths, but I’m also interested in psychology. Fire engineering combines all of these, in terms of fire science, spatial planning, and human behaviour. After spending 20 years identifying existing fire safety measures that don’t work well, being a fire engineer allows me to create better fire safety solutions for both building occupants and building managers.

You are also an independent Fire Engineer providing consulting services. What would you say are the biggest challenges your clients face in the industry today?

I think the biggest challenge today is the gap between building complexity and industry knowledge or competence. At the start of my career, buildings were relatively simple structures constructed using a limited number of materials. Today, we have more complicated layouts, and we use a wider range of materials in building construction. In my view, our collective level of technical knowledge hasn’t kept pace. We now need to be mindful of the limits of our competence and identify where we need assistance and who is competent to offer that assistance.

Can you tell us about some of your recent successes?

Last Summer I set up my own consultancy business, A W Fire Ltd. This has required me to learn about business aspects that I’m less familiar with, such as marketing, insurance and contractual aspects. I’m delighted with the success of the consultancy, providing support to architects and designers.

Last year, I also founded the Women in Fire Engineering Networking Group. The group aims to support, develop and inspire women in the fire industry, and we now have over 550 members, including male allies. I have been keen to focus on increasing the visibility of women in fire engineering, both through ensuring diversity of speakers at conferences and industry events and also writing articles for professional publications.

Tell us about your decision to join HKA network of Technical Experts.

I was very pleased to be asked to join HKA as a Technical Expert. I have enjoyed the comprehensive training provided, which has allowed me to understand the framework within which experts provide their advice. And I have been impressed with the support and encouragement I have received from HKA.