Philippa Moore
Philippa graduated from the University of Cambridge with MA and MSci degrees in materials science and metallurgy. She subsequently stayed at Cambridge to gain her PhD, researching the microstructures and properties of laser and laser/arc hybrid welds in pipeline steels, a project supported by industrial partner, TWI Ltd. Philippa then spent 18 years working at TWI Ltd, and developed an international reputation in fracture toughness testing, and engineering failure investigation, often of welded steel structures, through her project work and consultancy. In her last six years at TWI she was a Team Manager, her roles included responsibility for a team of engineers who delivered fracture toughness testing services for TWI. She has also carried out projects related to fracture tests in corrosive environments and hydrogen embrittlement of steels. She has published over 45 conference and journal papers on her academic research, and on topics supporting her involvement on British and International standards committees for fracture testing. Philippa was herself the industrial supervisor of five PhD students and four MSc students from 2013 to 2019 working on fracture-related topics. An inspirational and respected technical expert, she is an enthusiastic and experienced presenter to both technical and non-specialist audiences on topics related […]
Ian Jeavons
Ian graduated form the University of Manchester in 1996 where he studied mechanical engineering. After graduation, Ian joined IMI Plc on a graduate programme which gave him a broad range of manufacturing experience in the production of water heating systems and pneumatics. Later, Ian joined the research division of IMI Cornelius where he gained experience in the development and testing of a commercial water treatment system. Ian then became the global coordinator and technical support for the system’s field trial where he continued to develop data management and analysis skills. Ian joined New House Textiles in 2001 to run the engineering department during the development and testing of a weaving technology system. After a sabbatical, travelling the world, Ian returned to the UK to start a new career teaching engineering apprentices. During this time, Ian gained a Post-graduate Certificate, having studied advanced manufacturing techniques and aerospace materials, and researched the effect of temperature on carbon fibre composite during machining for his dissertation. Ian continued his academic studies and in 2021 gained his EngD by using a laser tracker to measure, model and correct the positional accuracy of an industrial robot for machining operations. His research was sponsored by Hexagon Manufacturing […]
Giuseppe Scatigno
Giuseppe graduated with a 1st Class Master’s Degree in Materials Science and Nuclear Engineering from Imperial College London. During this period, he worked at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the Incident and Emergency Centre, performing radiological dose calculations, following the Fukushima nuclear disaster. He completed a PhD, researching electrochemistry and corrosion, where he focused on environment-assisted corrosion phenomena, working closely with several nuclear utilities across the world. Giuseppe also spent time in Japan working on the development of Gen III+ reactors at Hitachi-GE Ltd. Giuseppe’s PhD work required the extensive use of state-of-the-art microscopy techniques, experimental traditional techniques, as well as computational, mathematical, and analytical methods. After completing his PhD, Giuseppe worked as a Research Associate for Imperial College, sponsored by EDF Energy, to study stress corrosion cracking resistance of dry cask storage units designed to be used for the interim storage of spent nuclear fuel. Giuseppe was then employed by EDF Energy, where he worked as a Corrosion Engineer and Chemist. Giuseppe worked closely with power generating stations before becoming the lead on water cooling systems and interim spent fuel storage. Giuseppe defined the chemical inhibitors regimes and corrosion monitoring systems to ensure the appropriate management of […]
Gerald Deshais
Gerald completed his PhD in Materials Science at the University of Cambridge in 1999, where he investigated the resistance of 7XXX alloys to stress corrosion cracking on behalf of Péchiney (now part of Rio Tinto Alcan).
Paul Gee
Paul started his career in engineering in 1988, with a four year technician apprenticeship with GEC Traction at its Trafford Park headquarters. Following the completion of his apprenticeship, Paul took the position of a Laboratory Technician in the now renamed GEC Alsthom Traction’s engineering laboratory, based at its Preston headquarters. In this role Paul was working within the electrical division covering product type testing, environmental testing, mechanical testing, EMC testing and product failure investigation of rail traction equipment. From this Paul was then promoted to Technician Engineer status to lead all aspects of the validation of its newly formed company ALSTOM Auxiliary Converters Ltd. During this time Paul completed a five year part-time degree course qualifying highest in the year and was awarded the IEE Institution Prize for distinction on the course. On graduation in 1997, Paul took the position of Design Engineer, then Lead Design Engineer within the ALSTOM Auxiliary Converter Business. Paul led the design on many auxiliary power supplies for use on all types of rail vehicles including trams and trolleybuses in the power range of 10 to 300kVA, for both AC single/three phase applications and DC battery charging systems. In 1998 Paul took the opportunity to […]
Iain Woodward
Iain left Durham University in 2001 after completing his PhD research into modification of polymeric surfaces using cold plasma technologies. As part of his PhD research Iain also carried out research sponsored by Pirelli into improving the adhesion of polymeric tyre cord to rubber. In 2001 Iain joined Molecular Profiles, a scientific consultancy offering expertise to the polymer and pharmaceutical industries. Here Iain conducted short term research and analysis of failures and characterisation of production line and developing products. The majority of the work involved the use of surface analysis techniques, including microscopy (AFM, SEM and TEM), and surface sensitive characterisation techniques (XPS and SIMS). In 2003 Iain joined Hawkins as an Associate based in the Manchester office. Iain specialises in the investigation of fires and explosions, but has also investigated cases of polymeric failure drawing upon his previous research experience. In 2005 Iain moved to Leeds to open a new Hawkins office. He became Senior Associate in 2006 and a Principal Associate in 2013. Iain has investigated over 250 fires and explosions. He has provided numerous written reports for Court and has given expert evidence at County Court. Iain is listed as an expert in the Expert Witness Directory.
Shimin Zhuang
Shimin graduated from the National University of Singapore in 2014 with an honours degree in Civil Engineering. After graduating, he joined YWL Engineering Singapore and gained design experience related to heavy infrastructure sectors and geotechnical finite element analysis. During this time, he also completed a Masters in Geotechnical Engineering at the National University of Singapore and graduated with distinction. In 2016, Shimin joined ERSS Consultants and specialised in the design and construction of deep basements, retaining walls and reinforced soils. He was assigned as a representative of temporary works Qualified Persons (Design) for a national underground metro station and in charge of construction support until the completion of the station box. In 2019, Shimin joined AECOM Singapore as a Geotechnical Engineer and qualified as a Professional Engineer in civil engineering with the Professional Engineers Board Singapore. During his time with AECOM, Shimin was involved in the design and construction of various types of large-scale projects, such as a subsea segmental tunnel, large diameter deep shafts, bored pile foundations, pile-enhanced raft and foundations using barrettes and diaphragm walls for metro stations and cut & cover tunnels. Shimin joined Hawkins in 2021 as a member of the expanding geotechnical engineering capability of […]
Nico Zurcher
Prior to becoming an investigator, Nico worked in a international environmental consultancy where he was involved in a number of major government marine projects in Hong Kong, as well as oil and gas, and mining projects around Asia. In 2011 he joined HFS-Asia in Hong Kong, where he worked as a fire investigator and consulting scientist. In 2015, Nico moved to London where he joined Hawkins to bolster our growing International and Shipping Incidents team. He continued investigating a broad range of land-based and marine incidents, both in the UK and internationally. He was also a member of our contamination team, taking on cases in the UK and Europe. Hawkins acquired HFS-Asia in 2016 and in 2020 Nico returned to Hong Kong to head the office he helped to build several years earlier. Nico has investigated several fires in large industrial plants, as well as in commercial and residential premises. On the marine side, he has investigated major fires on container and general cargo vessels. He has worked on numerous cases of bulk cargo spoilage, involving grains, oil seeds and seedcake. Nico has also worked on cases involving the carriage and storage of mixed chemical cargoes, and the contamination of […]
Nico Zurcher
Prior to becoming an investigator, Nico worked in a international environmental consultancy where he was involved in a number of major government marine projects in Hong Kong, as well as oil and gas, and mining projects around Asia. In 2011 he joined HFS-Asia in Hong Kong, where he worked as a fire investigator and consulting scientist. In 2015, Nico moved to London where he joined Hawkins to bolster our growing International and Shipping Incidents team. He continued investigating a broad range of land-based and marine incidents, both in the UK and internationally. He was also a member of our contamination team, taking on cases in the UK and Europe. Hawkins acquired HFS-Asia in 2016 and in 2020 Nico returned to Hong Kong to head the office he helped to build several years earlier. Nico has investigated several fires in large industrial plants, as well as in commercial and residential premises. On the marine side, he has investigated major fires on container and general cargo vessels. He has worked on numerous cases of bulk cargo spoilage, involving grains, oil seeds and seedcake. Nico has also worked on cases involving the carriage and storage of mixed chemical cargoes, and the contamination of […]
Nick Wright
Nick’s first job following graduation was for the Cookson Group at its research centre near Oxford, where he carried out materials development and testing work. Following this, Nick returned to the University of Birmingham where he gained a PhD developing polymer matrix composite engineering components. Nick joined Cosworth Ltd in 1999 as a Materials Engineer, developing materials and processing technologies for Formula 1 Engine applications. This work included a large number of failure investigations on race and road vehicle components. In 2006 Nick joined ERA Technology Ltd, working initially in the Gas Turbine group on failure investigations and remaining lifetime assessment. He became increasingly involved in failure investigations in a wide variety of applications including power generation, petrochemical process plants, electrical distribution, general industrial and road vehicles. This led to his appointment as head of the Forensic Engineering service line at ERA, where he led a team of engineers supporting loss adjusters, insurers, manufacturers and owners/operators. Nick joined Hawkins in 2013, where he works as a Principal Associate based at our London office.