David graduated with an MSc Mechanical Engineering from the University of Cape Town, South Africa.  David began working in Forensic Engineering while he was employed by GBB UK Ltd, where he carried out road traffic accident investigation and reconstruction.

David joined Hawkins’ London office in 2004. He has led and managed the investigation of a large number of fires in domestic, industrial, commercial and health care settings. He has also investigated a wide spectrum of engineering-related failures and personal injury cases, as well as being involved in the reconstruction of traffic accidents. The incidents investigated to date include small domestic losses through to extensive flooding and fire damage cases, as well as catastrophic engineering incidents. 

David is a Chartered Engineer (CEng) and a Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (MIMechE) and the Institution of Fire Engineers (MIFireE). He has experience in the preparation of Court compliant reports, Experts’ Joint Statements and appearance in Court as an Expert Witness.  In October 2025, David relocated to Singapore where he will continue to carry out fire and engineering incident investigation.