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 Geotechnical Engineer Yvonne Ainsworth was invited to chair a panel discussion on Championing Inclusion in Geotechnics at the inaugural WiGeotech afternoon tea, a networking event bringing together professionals from across the Ground Engineering sector to celebrate collaboration and support women in the field. The event was organised by the British Geotechnical Association (BGA).

Opening the session, Yvonne drew on her 25- year career across consulting, contracting and forensic geotechnics, as well as her recent MBA research exploring the influence of female role models on women’s career aspirations and retention in the UK construction industry. Her findings highlighted the sector’s persistent “leaky pipeline”, with talented women joining the industry but too few progressing to senior levels. She emphasised the importance of representation, noting:

“Visibility matters. When women can see other women succeeding, it strengthens confidence and signals that people like me can do this.”

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

Hawkins is pleased to welcome Dr Johann Perera, who joins us as an Associate in our Reigate office. Johann brings a wealth of knowledge in advanced materials science, battery technology, and mechanical failure analysis, alongside a strong record of academic publication and applied research impact.

Johann holds both an MEng and DPhil in Materials Science from the University of Oxford. During his MEng, he was awarded the prestigious Armourers and Brasiers’ Company Prize for Materials Selection, recognising his outstanding performance in the field. His doctoral research focused on advanced battery systems for electric vehicles, specialising in the development of all-solid‑state batteries – a rapidly evolving field central to next-generation energy storage.

During his DPhil, Johann became skilled in advanced material characterisation and mechanical failure analysis. He developed specialist expertise in micromechanical testing, fatigue analysis, and the study of air-sensitive and ceramic materials. His work included the creation of novel testing methods to enable more detailed analysis, and he gained extensive experience with , nanoindentation, and related investigative techniques.

Following his doctoral studies, Johann undertook a postdoctoral research position at the University of Oxford, where he led the mechanical investigation and testing team for solid-state battery science as part of the Faraday Project. During this time, he contributed to the development of a groundbreaking model identifying the root cause and mechanism of failure in solid-state battery short circuits. Johann has a proven track record of translating complex academic research into practical, investigative outcomes and has published multiple papers in high-impact scientific journals, including Nature.

Johann joined Hawkins in December 2025, and we are delighted to welcome him to the team.

Fire and explosions specialist Lucy Pinkard was invited to present at the Airmic Island of Ireland Lunch & Learn, where she explored the growing risks posed by lithium‑ion batteries. Her session generated strong interest from attendees keen to understand the science behind these increasingly common devices. Following the event, Lucy expanded on her insights in a published article in Airmic News, offering a clear and accessible explanation of why lithium-ion‑ batteries present such complex challenges for risk professionals.

In her article, Lucy explains that lithium-ion batteries are now embedded in everyday life, powering everything from mobile phones and laptops to electric vehicles, e-bikes and e-scooters. Their high energy density makes them efficient but also potentially hazardous. She describes the phenomenon of thermal runaway, the self-heating process that can cause batteries to vent flammable gases, ignite, explode or release toxic byproducts such as hydrogen fluoride. These incidents, she notes, can result not only from manufacturing defects or design flaws, but also from environmental stress, incompatible chargers, DIY modifications and poor-quality components.

Lucy highlights the dramatic rise in fires linked to personal light electric vehicles (such as e-bikes and e-scooters), referencing data from the Office for Product Safety Standards and the significant increase in callouts recorded by the London Fire Brigade. She also underscores the challenges investigators face when examining fires involving lithium‑ion cells, as battery components can be projected across rooms and secondary fires may obscure the original source of ignition.

Her article stresses that the risk landscape is evolving quickly. She encourages risk professionals to take a proactive approach: identifying hazards early, ensuring that claims and investigations draw on specialist forensic expertise, promoting safe storage and charging practices, monitoring regulatory developments and incorporating battery risks into wider crisis planning. She also notes the potential for deliberate misuse, adding another layer of concern for organisations.

Lucy is an Associate Forensic Investigator and a specialist in fire and explosion investigation, with a background spanning forensic science, policing and academia. She began her career as an Analytical Scientist, before joining Avon and Somerset Constabulary as a Crime Scene Investigator, DNA Laboratory Analyst and Crime Scene Manager, working on major incidents, high-profile cases and arson investigations, and earning a Police commendation. She later completed a Masters in the Forensic Investigation of Explosives and Explosions at Cranfield University, focusing on lithium-ion battery thermal runaway. Lucy now lectures and trains investigators in fire and crime scene disciplines while supporting the development of future forensic scientists. She has investigated a wide range of domestic and commercial fires and is based in Hawkins’ Bristol office.

You can read Lucy’s article on page’s 27-28 in Airmic News Vol.06

Hawkins is delighted to welcome Michael Boyd, who joins us with over a decade of structural and civil engineering experience gained across the UK, Ireland, and the Middle East. Michael brings a wealth of expertise in structural design, multidisciplinary coordination, and delivering complex projects across multiple sectors.

Michael graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2011 with a Master’s degree in Civil and Structural Engineering, specialising in advanced structural engineering. He began his career with WS Atkins Overseas, working within the infrastructure and master‑planning team on a range of large‑scale developments across the Middle East.

He later returned to Northern Ireland to join engineering consultancies  in Belfast. During this time, Michael gained a strong foundation in civil engineering scheme design and practical experience in contract administration under NEC3 contracts, collaborating closely with clients, contractors, and multidisciplinary teams. Michael progressed to the role of Associate Structural Engineer and became a Chartered Member of the Institution of Structural Engineers. His role saw him embedded in the local design consultancy sector, working across residential, institutional, industrial, and commercial projects for both public and private sector clients.

Michael has extensive design and detailing experience across all major structural materials, including steel, reinforced concrete, masonry, and timber. His project portfolio ranges from small-scale domestic and commercial schemes to major developments valued at over £350 million, including large campus and estate expansion projects.

He has acted as the primary design engineer on several high-profile, award-winning education developments, including South West College Enniskillen and Ardnashee School and College, where he was responsible for technical delivery, interdisciplinary coordination, and design quality throughout the project lifecycle.

We are delighted to welcome Michael to Hawkins and look forward to the expertise he brings to our structural engineering capability.

Hawkins is delighted to welcome Craig Arnold as a Senior Associate and Forensic Collision Investigator, based in our Manchester office. Craig brings two decades of experience in road traffic collision investigation, gained through extensive work both in the UK and internationally. 

Craig is a Chartered Forensic Practitioner in Collision Investigation, with casework experience across South America, Africa, and Europe. His academic background includes an MSc focused on road safety and doctoral research exploring the use of big data and machine learning to reduce road collisions. 

Before joining Hawkins, Craig served as Technical Lead for the Forensic Investigations team at the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL). In this role, he led forensic collision investigation projects for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and contributed to a wide range of research and operational work in transport safety. 

Craig is also a highly skilled digital data specialist, with advanced qualifications in forensic video analysis and digital evidence. He is a Level Four LEVA Certified Forensic Video Technician (CFTV) and has significant experience in video enhancement, comparison, and audio analysis. His expertise spans a broad range of digital data sources, including tachographs, event data recorders, accelerometers, telematics, connected & autonomous vehicle (CAV) systems.  

An experienced expert witness, Craig has prepared reconstruction reports, joint expert statements, and has acted as a Single Joint Expert (SJE). He has provided evidence in Criminal, Civil, and Coroner’s courts, as well as at Public Inquiries. While his current practice primarily focuses on civil litigation, he continues to accept instructions in criminal cases. 

Alongside his investigative work, Craig serves as the Honorary Secretary for the Chartered Society of Forensic Science. He also sits on the editorial board of Elsevier’s Science & Justice journal and is a peer reviewer for both the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and Elsevier. In addition, he regularly supports the Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Video Association (LEVA) as a subject matter expert on speed analysis. 

We are excited to welcome Craig to Hawkins and look forward to the expertise and leadership he will bring to our Road Traffic Collision team. 

From April to June 2026, join experts from across Hawkins as they host our International Webinar Series, featuring specialists from our global office locations.

This series covers a wide range of topics, including material and mechanical failures, lithium‑ion batteries, bridge forensics, bolted connection failures, and risk in indoor climbing.

For webinar details and to register, please see below.

If you would like further information on each webinar before registering, simply click on the titles. Our events page provides details of other Hawkins events that you may find of interest.

Hawkins is delighted to welcome Dr Andrea Veronese, who joins us as an Associate Materials Engineer. Originally from Italy, Andrea brings with him a strong academic background and a breadth of hands-on experience in materials science, ceramics, and high temperature processes.

Andrea completed his MSci in Materials Science and Metallurgy at the University of Cambridge, where he undertook projects exploring 3D-printed alloys and battery manufacturing. Building on this, he moved to Scotland in 2021 to pursue doctoral research within the Energy Materials Group at the University of St Andrews. His work focused on ceramic processing and waste pyrolysis, providing him with expertise in high temperature solid-state chemistry, combustion, gasifier operation, and the fabrication of ceramic and glass ceramic components.

During his research career, Andrea gained significant industrial exposure through visits to a variety of manufacturing environments, including a pilot battery production line, chromatography column manufacturing facilities, technical ceramic production sites, and precision machining workshops. He is also a member of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and has completed the Corrosion Science and Engineering MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) from the University of Manchester.

Andrea joined Hawkins in October 2025. He is based in our Cambridge office and is also able to assist on cases in Italy.

Welcome to Hawkins, Andrea.

Hawkins is pleased to celebrate a significant milestone as Office Administrator Emma Smith marks 10 years with the business. 

Since joining Hawkins in 2016, Emma has been a constant and valued presence within the Reigate office, providing essential administrative support and helping to keep day-to-day operations running smoothly. Emma is responsible for the complete end‑to‑end handling of casework exhibits, including receipt, verification, secure storage, ongoing management, and final disposal in line with organisational policies and regulatory requirements. Her role requires organisation, reliability and attention to detail, and Emma consistently delivers all three with professionalism and good humour. 

Over the past decade, Emma has supported colleagues across the business, building strong working relationships and becoming a trusted point of contact within the wider Hawkins team. Her commitment and knowledge have contributed to the efficiency of the team and the positive working environment that Hawkins is proud of.  

Reflecting on her time at Hawkins, Emma said:  

“I can’t believe it’s been 10 years already! I never imagined that I would still be here.  Colleagues are what makes it, and I really like my job … so here’s to another 10 years” 

Congratulations to Emma on this milestone, reaching a 10year anniversary is a fantastic achievement and a testament to her commitment and contribution to the business.