Yvonne is a Chartered Civil Engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers with over 25 years of experience in the UK and international construction industry. Her career has encompassed leadership roles across major infrastructure and energy projects, combining technical expertise with strategic and operational management. She has extensive experience in geotechnical design and construction, risk management, HSEQ improvement and business operations.
After graduating from RWTH Aachen University in Germany with a first-class degree in Civil and Structural Engineering, Yvonne began her career with WS Atkins (now AtkinsRéalis) before moving into specialist piling and geotechnical contracting. Over 16 years she held senior technical and operational roles with Cementation Skanska, Bauer Technologies, Balfour Beatty Ground Engineering and JRL Civil Engineering, delivering complex foundation and retaining wall projects such as Battersea Power Station, Whitechapel and Tottenham Court Road Stations, and the Newport and Pembroke Power Stations.
During this time, Yvonne developed specialist expertise in all aspects of piling and diaphragm walling, encompassing both design and construction. She became a recognised authority in resolving complex technical challenges and was frequently consulted on problematic or high-risk projects in the UK and internationally.
Yvonne later joined Gavin & Doherty Geosolutions (GDG) as Director, overseeing the design and delivery of geotechnical solutions for Energy-from-Waste and renewable energy schemes across the UK and Ireland. She was promoted to Managing Director (Onshore) in 2023, responsible for the strategic growth and performance of the business. In 2024, she became Business Unit Director for Taylor Woodrow’s South Region, leading a £40m infrastructure portfolio and a multidisciplinary team of over 100 staff.
Beyond her project work, Yvonne has contributed extensively to the wider geotechnical profession. She served on the British Geotechnical Association Committee between 2014 and 2023 and continues as a co-opted member. In 2024, she received the ICE John Mitchell Award and delivered the associated lecture “The Importance of the 6Ps in Geotechnical Engineering”. She is also a ROGEP Adviser and ICE Reviewer, mentoring the next generation of civil engineers.
Yvonne joined Hawkins in 2025 as Principal Associate. Her expertise spans design and construction methodologies, failure investigation, and risk assessment in complex ground engineering environments.
LANGUAGES
Yvonne is fluent in German and English and has basic proficiency in French
