James Morris
James completed his PhD researching a novel enzyme and its mechanism of action in blood cells, before undertaking six years postdoctoral research into the biochemistry of various cellular signalling pathways. In 2007 James took on a role at a small biotechnology company, where he ultimately became responsible for the chemicals production business, serving hospitals through the UK and Europe with histological stains. James built up the product stewardship requirements of the business, and qualified as a road transport Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser. James has since worked as a Product Steward, assessing and assigning hazard and transport classifications to new and reformulated petrochemicals products, for Shell and Gulf Oil. At Hawkins, he will be aiding both the Fire Investigation and Contamination teams, with his extensive knowledge of chemical reactions. James is a Senior Associate based in our Reigate Office.
Samuel Morley
Samuel graduated from the University of Bath in 2003 with a Masters in Architecture having previously graduated in 2001 with a BSc in General Architectural Studies from the same university. During his studies Samuel benefited from the unique interdisciplinary studio teaching with both architecture and engineering students contributing towards projects; preparing him for collaboration in professional life. Upon graduation Samuel worked initially in facilities management for University College London Hospitals on a project to document and assess their existing estate providing data to enable informed property decisions. In 2004 Samuel transitioned to private practice in an architectural role at Thomas Nugent Architects whilst he completed his PgDip in Professional Practice in Architecture at University of Westminster; achieving Chartered status in 2007. During his time Samuel led a variety of commercial and domestic projects ranging from new build houses to hotel, office and residential developments. In 2008 Samuel moved to Mace to become part of their multi-disciplinary design team where he led public sectors projects including children’s centres, libraries and schools. During this period Samuel was seconded for 3 years to Hampshire County Council to lead their nursing care programme, whilst also working on education and other civic projects, as part […]
Paul Moody
Paul completed his undergraduate degree in Metallurgy at the University of Birmingham in 1990. During this time, he was sponsored by British Steel and gained work experience at Swinden Labs in Rotherham. Paul later completed his Doctorate at the University of Birmingham, researching the fracture properties of welded structural steels in relation to the oxygen content of weld metals. The work was sponsored by ESAB, headquartered in Waltham Cross in London. After completing his studies in 1995, Paul began his career at the Defence Research Agency as a Research Scientist, working on welding of high strength naval steels and investigations of failed components. Following this, Paul worked as a Metallurgist at a number of firms including Bodycote Materials Testing Ltd, Ingenco Ltd (formerly Scottish Power Technology), and Doosan Babcock Ltd. Paul’s experience includes facilitating contract materials testing for the offshore oil and gas services industry, performing remanent life assessment on boilers for power plants and petrochemical sites, investigating failed components, and providing support on materials related issues. Since joining Hawkins in 2017, Paul has worked on cases involving escapes of water, personal injuries, petrochemical sites and boilers for power generation. Paul’s boiler and petrochemical site investigations have taken place in […]
Claire Mann
Claire carried out her first Masters Degree at Oxford University, where she remained to complete a DPhil at the Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, working in collaboration with the Process Development Group of Syngenta. Claire then went on to pursue her interest in forensic science and studied for the Master of Forensic Science Degree at Kings College, London. During this time, Claire worked at the Forensic Explosives Laboratory and developed a GC/FTIR method for the analysis of explosives. Since joining Hawkins in 2006, Claire has specialised in the investigation of causes of fires and explosions. These cases have varied greatly in scale from relatively small domestic incidents to large commercial fires. Claire has also lent her chemistry background to the contamination team at Hawkins, where she has carried out post-fire, post-flood and post-chemical spill contamination investigations throughout the world. This work involves determining the effects of contaminants on buildings, production equipment, complex computer systems and products, including food stuffs and pharmaceuticals, and providing advice on the long term effects of the contaminants and best remediation techniques for recovery. During her time at Hawkins, Claire successfully completed the BOHS course for surveying buildings for asbestos and has since carried out asbestos […]
Clara Coombes
Clara is originally from Canada and graduated from the University of Toronto with a 1st class undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering. Her academic interests include energy systems and different methods of power generation, as well as their wider impacts such as safety, environmental risks, and economic issues. After her undergraduate degree, Clara moved to the UK to begin a MPhil in Advanced Chemical Engineering at Cambridge University. She continued to pursue her interest in energy generation and policy, completing her Master’s course with a thesis exploring various scenarios by which small floating nuclear power plants might be used to provide civil power for the UK. Following on from her Master’s degree, Clara began a PhD in Nuclear & Civil Engineering at Cambridge University. Her PhD research focussed on the modular manufacture and construction of small nuclear reactors. In her thesis, Clara developed models to estimate the build times and costs associated with different levels of offsite construction for factory-built, modular nuclear reactors. Clara’s PhD was industry sponsored and allowed her to complete a short secondment in Derby with the nuclear team at Rolls-Royce. This enabled her research to investigate some of the key industry questions pertaining to small modular nuclear […]
Ben Lister
In 2008, Ben graduated from Churchill College at the University of Cambridge where he read for the Engineering Tripos and specialised in Electrical & Electronic Engineering. As part of his degree, Ben spent a year working in Sharjah, UAE as a design engineer and financial modeller for a small petroleum company involved in the construction of a new gas processing plant, and also completed an internship in the USA as an engineering specialist in the purchasing division of a large engine manufacturer. After graduation, Ben joined the engineering and research section of E.ON as a specialist in system modelling and analysis, initially focusing on renewable electrical generation technologies. The following years covered projects in a number of sectors including: MV distribution networks for industrial sites; analysis support for regional public distribution network operators, and an R&D portfolio, including electric vehicles and smart grid communication technologies. Ben later moved into a role supporting the commodities trading business with engineering analysis of the interaction between markets and electrical networks. In 2016, E.ON split its fossil fuel assets to form a separate company, Uniper. During this time, Ben moved back into a project support role as a microgrid and battery specialist on a […]
Justin Lewis
Justin joined Hawkins in 2012 after a career spanning over 21 years in the Forensic Science Service (FSS). He was a Principal Forensic Scientist with the FSS and acted as an expert witness in a wide range of criminal cases involving murder, attempted murder, arson, rape, robbery, firearms offences, burglary and criminal damage. He was the National Scientific Lead for Fire Investigation and was responsible for scientific standard setting in Case Assessment and Interpretation. From 1999 to 2006 he was a Specialist Advisor in the Major Crime Service where he formulated forensic strategy, trained Senior Investigating Officers and reviewed cold cases. He also advised senior police officers in the Caribbean on undetected murder cases. He has acted as an expert witness to the Criminal Justice System in cases involving glass, paint, fibres, footwear marks, tool marks, particulates, accelerants and fire/explosion investigation. He has presented evidence on many occasions in Magistrates’ Court, Crown Court, at Coroner’s Inquests and at the Appeal Court. He is experienced in ISO 17025 accreditation and a scientific auditor. Justin joined Hawkins as a fire and explosion investigator and specialises in domestic and commercial incidents. He is a Principal Associate based in our Cambridge Office.
Anna Knight
After completing her first degree and before starting her Masters Degree, Anna carried out a summer placement with the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA). Her role there involved investigating the failure of a diverse range of items from defective aircraft hatches to electronic components. Following her Masters Degree, Anna was employed at the Lothian and Borders Police Forensic Science Laboratory, Edinburgh where she was trained in the examination of items for paint and glass residue and the presentation of scientific evidence for use in Police investigations. Anna’s PhD involved the non-destructive analysis of materials such as hydroxyapatite (used for hip replacements) and cadmium sulphide in order to determine the structure and composition materials with depth. This required the use of a number of mathematical, computing and analytical techniques. Anna joined Hawkins in 2005, specialising as a fire and explosion investigator, although she also investigates other incidents, such as paint spills and other damage incidents. She has carried out numerous forensic investigations, which have varied greatly in scale from relatively small domestic incidents to large warehouse fires. Anna has, as part of her Masters Degree, completed the well renowned Bond Solon course relating to reporting and giving oral evidence in […]
James Kingham
James graduated from the University of Birmingham in 2005 with a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, having completed an industrial placement year working in cryogenics for The Hymatic Engineering Company (now part of Honeywell Aerospace’s Defence & Space business group). After graduating, James returned to Honeywell Aerospace as a development engineer, working on Joule-Thomson coolers and Stirling Cycle Cryocoolers primarily for missile and satellite applications. This included customer driven development projects as well as R&D and investigative projects. In 2010, James took on the role of New Product Development Manager with ITT (later Xylem) Flow Control, overseeing the development of pneumatic and hydraulic valve actuation controls and actuators for use in severe service environments, including the oil & gas and rail industries. James was then promoted to Centre of Excellence Engineering Lead – Valves (Technical Manager) in 2013, becoming the senior technical contact at the Wolverhampton site overseeing product development, project management and product certification activities within the business. James is a Chartered Engineer and as such is a full member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers. James also holds a Level 5 diploma in Management & Leadership and is a Six Sigma Black Belt.
Richard Keightley
Richard is a Principal Associate based in our London office. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management, a Chartered Water and Environmental Manager and Chartered Environmentalist. Richard has investigated over 150 cases since he joined Hawkins in 2017, primarily in relation to flooding, drainage and water ingress issues. Examples include: flooding from rivers, sea, surface water and groundwater; defective foul and surface water drainage systems; failure of infrastructure such as pumping stations, reservoirs and canals; the impacts of developments on flood risk to third party properties; and basement water ingress issues. Much of his work involves acting as an expert witness in civil claims, and advising on matters in relation to the requirements of national planning policies, building regulations and relevant design standards. In a recent High Court judgement, the judge favoured Richard’s evidence to that of the other expert witnesses, describing him as an “impressive witness” and “a careful expert witness using language with precision”. Prior to joining Hawkins, Richard was a Principal Consultant at a multi-national water and environmental engineering consultancy, where he delivered projects for the Environment Agency, local authorities and developers. His projects included flooding investigations, flood risk assessments, options appraisal for flood defence […]