Hawkins was pleased to present at the IMechE Steam Turbine and Generator User Group 2026, with technical presentations from Ben Adams and Ben Lister addressing key challenges in generator integrity and power system resilience.

Ben Adams, Principal Associate and Head of Power & Energy, delivered a detailed technical presentation on generator Stator Core Faults, a persistent yet often under‑recognised risk to the reliability of large power generators. Drawing on decades of industry experience, Ben explored the mechanisms behind stator core degradation, including insulation breakdown, lamination damage, burrs and debris, and the effects of axial flux and over‑fluxing.

Using historical failures from the former Central Electricity Generating Board (CEGB) fleet, alongside recent case investigations, Ben demonstrated how similar failure modes continue to occur today. His presentation included examples of core‑end heating, slot‑bottom faults and burr‑related damage, reinforcing the ongoing relevance of established condition‑assessment techniques. Ben highlighted that Electromagnetic Core Imperfection Detection (ElCID) and flux testing remain essential tools for monitoring core integrity, and emphasised the importance of clean construction and rigorous maintenance practices in preventing long‑term degradation.

It is with great pleasure that we announce a series of well-deserved promotions across our organisation.

Our newly promoted colleagues Ben Lister, Shimin Zhuang, Yang Dang, Ross Clarke, and Richard Baker, have consistently demonstrated outstanding technical expertise, professionalism, and a commitment to the highest quality standards. Their promotions recognise a sustained period of achievement across complex casework, advanced technical development, and active engagement in continued professional learning.

Beyond their case responsibilities, each has made significant contributions to the wider business, including leadership in Health & Safety, mentoring colleagues, and positively influencing best practice across their teams. Their strong performance in mentoring, diligence in maintaining quality standards, and sustained operational contribution have demonstrated the professionalism and quality that these roles require. 

We extend our sincere thanks to each of them for their continued hard work, leadership, and positive influence across the business.

Please join us in celebrating the achievements of our newly promoted Senior Associates and Principal Associates. We look forward to their continued success and impact across the organisation.

Hawkins is delighted to welcome back Simon Batt, who returns to our Birmingham office following a brief break. Simon brings more than 15 years of experience in mechanical engineering and power generation, as well as a wealth of specialist knowledge spanning the automotive, aerospace, and energy sectors.

Simon is a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. He graduated from the University of Birmingham in 2004 with an MEng in Mechanical Engineering. He began his career at Jaguar Land Rover, as a mechanical development engineer within the powertrain department supporting the development and testing of both petrol and diesel engine programmes.

In 2007, Simon joined Rolls‑Royce, where he pursued his interest in engineering thermodynamics as a gas turbine performance engineer. His work covered a range of naval and defence aerospace gas turbine applications, giving him deep experience in high‑performance engine systems.

Simon later moved to Siemens Energy to work on aero‑derivative gas turbines in the energy sector. He was subsequently promoted to Head of Performance, where he became a major influence in the emerging field of decarbonisation technologies. Notably, he patented an innovation related to the operation of gas turbine engines running on hydrogen, demonstrating his forward‑thinking approach to clean energy solutions.

After almost seven years in the energy sector, Simon sought a new challenge and first joined Hawkins in 2022 as a Forensic Investigator. We are delighted to welcome Simon back to the business; his extensive industry experience, technical leadership, and innovative mindset will continue to strengthen our expertise in both automotive and turbine engineering investigations.

Welcome back to Hawkins, Simon

It was a pleasure to host an immersive forensic fun day at our London office, attended by graduates and professionals from leading insurance companies including Ecclesiastical, Hiscox, RSA, Chubb, Brit Insurance, AIG, Intact, and Crawfords. Guests explored the world of forensic investigation through a series of interactive activities that demonstrated how Hawkins experts approach incidents to determine root causes. These sessions provided valuable insight into the science and techniques behind our investigations, highlighting the depth of analysis and expertise that supports insurers in resolving complex claims.