News

Introducing our new leaders.

We are pleased to welcome some new faces to our partnership.

Below, Laurence Johnson, David Woolley, Andrew Somerville, Brian Graham and Barry Jobling introduce themselves in their own words:

Laurence Johnson.

As head of our firm’s Utility & Energy Infrastructure group, I have delivered a wide number of demanding projects across the UK. I recognise the importance of relationships and how these can make profound differences to a project, drawing on my contacts across the competitive market to ensure success. As well as contributing to infrastructure guidance for the industry, ​​I engage with utility companies at director level and often assist them in developing their own policies.

Engineering human experiences

Although I work underground, which means aiming for a lack of human impact, the projects I work on can help transform cities and communities. The work we did for the Graven Hill self-build scheme was a rare public interface; in our small way, we allowed many people reach their dream of building and owning a home.

 Biggest engineering challenge

On the Cabot Circus project, we had the M32 closed overnight to all traffic while we diverted 12 telecom companies, at 2am in the pouring rain! With half the trench dug, we uncovered a massive well that hadn’t been picked up in the surveys. We had to quickly redesign and re-route the services on a different path, all in time before the road had to open three hours later.

Email: LaurenceJohnson@hoarelea.com

David Woolley.

I have more than 16 years of experience in electrical engineering design within the built environment. Here at Hoare Lea, I’ve worked on a wide range of projects, covering the commercial office, science offices, hotel and education sectors. I believe in delivering a high standard of design through a hands-on approach, working alongside other professionals to ensure our clients’ requirements are fulfilled.

Engineering human experiences

One of the most impactful projects I’ve worked on is Phoenix School Tower Hamlets. A new-build school specifically designed for pupils with special needs, it was a vital development for that area of London, which had very limited facilities. It’s satisfying to know how much of an impact the school has had on local young people who need extra support.

Biggest engineering challenge

The design of the electrical infrastructure in connection with the Cryfield Energy Centre at the University of Warwick was incredibly challenging. The Energy Centre uses two 3MW CHP turbines, which in turn generate electricity at LV. We designed a system to synchronise and step up the generated electricity to HV and for connection and distribution onto the University’s private HV infrastructure. The system design also powered the plant required to run the districting heating network.

Email: DavidWoolley@hoarelea.com

Andrew Somerville.

I’ve amassed more than 20 years working on some of the most significant Science & Research projects for organisations such as Cancer Research UK, the Medical Research Council, and the Francis Crick Institute. My work has taken me across the UK and abroad, building strong and lasting relationships with clients, design team members, and contractors.

 Engineering human experiences.

Working in Science & Research I have been involved with projects that can have major positive impacts on people, their health and their quality of life. At Hoare Lea, I help design buildings that support researchers looking to cure some of the biggest health challenges affecting many of our lives currently, including dementia and cancer. To be involved, even in this small way, in supporting the fight to beat these horrible diseases is something I am immensely proud of and know our whole team feels.

 Biggest engineering challenge.

I am often called in by clients to resolve issues on projects designed by other MEP consultants when they have gone wrong, with complex MEP issues and challenges being cited in the initial explanation of the project failings. I typically find that the root cause of the issues is poor communication: if the design team communicated better between themselves, they could have been better coordinated; if they communicated better with the client, simpler solutions could have been utilised; and if they communicated better with the contractor, the design would have been better understood. It’s something I feel we can all – across the industry – strive to improve.

Email: AndrewSomerville@hoarelea.com

Brian Graham.

Since joining Hoare Lea in 2014, I’ve had the opportunity to lead many projects, across a variety of sectors, with particular focus on the Workplace sector. Prior to this, I worked on projects in the Workplace, Leisure, Education, and Retail sectors, and have significant experience in the design of television and radio broadcast facilities.

Biggest engineering challenge.

 My biggest engineering challenge has been supporting Deloitte with the fit out of their new HQ office at 1 New Street Square, from inception through to completion. The project required a flexible and pragmatic approach, and my role included overseeing the input from our MEP team, and many other in-house specialist disciplines. The project was hugely successful and has subsequently won many awards. 

Engineering human experiences.

I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work on some technically challenging projects through my career. One of the most rewarding aspects is having the opportunity to share my knowledge and experiences with less experienced engineers, and support them with their professional development to achieve Chartered Engineer status.

Email: BrianGraham@hoarelea.com

Barry Jobling.

Since joining Hoare Lea in 2004, I’ve seen improvements in acoustic quality and recognition of the value of good sound quality in buildings. My involvement in projects can be from a very early stage of agreeing quality standards, contributing to design, through to completion. Communication is key for us – translating backroom complexities into digestible advice so that the risks and benefits are clear to our clients. Creative thinking is essential to driving advances; it’s about not being afraid to put the ‘guide book of the past’ in the drawer and research different ways of working, new ideas, and better solutions.

Biggest engineering challenge.

Warner Bros Leavesden Studios brought an array of massive challenges. We designed film stage buildings in ways that hadn’t been done before. A one-line email from the chief studio director declaring that acoustics was the single most important factor for the project set the scene. But this was set against the backdrop of an incredibly limited build time and budget. This drove us to innovate in new ways, to apply sophistication in our analysis beyond the norm, and to collaborate with manufacturers by adapting and tailoring products. Close cooperative with the on-site teams was a must. We got there!

A defining moment.

For me, this was meeting Andrew Bullmore of Hoare Lea back in 2002. I had left an enjoyable early career start in consulting engineering to try something quite different working at the National Physical Laboratory as a senior research scientist. It was an exciting role at forefront of coordinating future research programmes – developing ambitious research to advance acoustic metrology and technology, for the benefit of UK business. Andrew was prominent in those ideas forums as he continues to be today. After realising that a long-term career in research alone wasn’t for me, I got talking with him about a possible return to consultancy and I haven’t looked back.

Email: BarryJobling@hoarelea.com