Discipline: Water
Bio: After graduating with a degree in Chemistry and Management, I wanted a career in a technical discipline. Over the next 15 years in the water treatment chemical industry, the industry shifted from steam boilers and cooling towers towards water hygiene.
In 2007, I established Envirosafe UK Ltd, an independent consultancy specialising in complex system risk assessments across industrial and healthcare environments. Working closely with the HPA on incident remediation, I took on the role of the independent AE without realising it. In 2015 I applied for IHEEM AE(W), however, my views on what the NHS needed did not align with IHEEM’s interview panel.
In 2017, I moved into the NHS, undertaking senior operational and project roles, becoming Water AP at 3 Trusts and the “customer” to AE’s.
Over the past 10 years the role of the IHEEM AE(W) has become more widely accepted and has adapted to fit the needs of the NHS Trusts. In early 2026, midway through a 12-month fixed-term contract, I decided that it was time to return to independent technical assurance and restarted the IHEEM AE(W) application process.
I am a chemist who has spent most of their career solving engineering issues. I enjoy the challenges of complex systems, within water hygiene there is no greater challenge than large acute hospitals.
I sometimes think I should have chosen mechanical or chemical engineering at A-level. Nearly 40 years after those choices set my career on a particular path, I am immensely proud to have become an Authorising Engineer (Water).
