I am a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, and a Fellow of the Institution of Power Engineers, Past President and Trustee Board member of IPowerE and for 15 years elected council member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. I have worked more than 40 years as a consulting engineer in the Power Industry and currently advise in the field of Thermal Power Generation, CCGT, CHP, Cogeneration, Boiler Plant, Steam and Gas Turbines.
I qualified in engineering at the Rutherford Advanced College of Technology in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK (now Northumbria University) where I studied Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics and Combustion Engineering. My professional career commenced at the English Electric Willans Turbine Works in Rugby, UK where I worked as a Steam Turbine Design Engineer.
Currently I am member of the ISO International Standards Committee for gas turbines and cogeneration systems and designated as UK expert. Currently I am also a Visiting Fellow of Cranfield University.
During my career I have held important project management assignments including the overall responsibility for the site supervision, commissioning and successful completion of major thermal, gas turbine and combined cycle power plant projects. This includes over 60 power plant projects in 21 countries, these projects being in the UK, Australia, Bahrain, Bulgaria, China, Dubai, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Mexico, Middle East, Portugal, Philippines, Tunisia and Thailand.
I am the founder and the managing director of Power + Energy Associates, based in Morpeth, United Kingdom providing consulting engineering services to the thermal power industry worldwide.
In 2019 I have published a book entitled The Development and History of the Industrial Gas Turbine for Power Generation, and Marine Purposes.
What are you doing now?
I am the founder and managing director of Power + Energy Associates which I established in 1997. The consultancy works in the field of power generation and has been in existence for 24 years. So far it has undertaken 90 assignments in 20 countries worldwide. I am still personally actively involved in consultancy work giving technical advice to power companies. In addition, I remain active in the Institution of Power Engineers (IPowerE) which I have served as President of IPowerE twice, Currently I am a member of council and lead two of its working groups. I also remain a active member of IMechE and have served 15 years on Council.
In 2019 I have self-published a 470pp textbook entitled THE DEVELOPMENT AND HISTORY OF THE GAS TURBINE FOR POWER GENERATION, INDUSTRIAL AND MARINE PURPOSES. If the University would like to have a copy I will be delighted to donate this.
What was it about Northumbria that made you decide to study here?
Born in Northumberland, I came to study at Rutherford College of Technology in the 1960's and I studied Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Combustion and Properties of Materials. Throughout my career I have been active in each of these fields and value immensely everything I learned. Rutherford College enabled me to meet all the requirements of The Institution of Mechanical Engineers and, whilst only being a part time (day release) student, I become a Chartered Engineer. This is an achievement which still today I am very proud of.
What was it like studying at Northumbria?
The experience I had studying at Rutherford College was excellent and all my lecturers were really great.
How connected was your course with industry?
My career says it all. Everything I learned enabled me to gain fantastic opportunities and become professionally qualified.
If you took on a placement during your course how did you feel this helped you in your career/ with your studies?
As a part time student I had the best of both worlds being constantly connected with the engineering world whilst at the same time finding out about everything I needed to learn at college. Of course one thing that you do learn is that we never stop learning and we must always maintain our CPD - Continual Professional Development. Even at my age I never stop being interested to learn about new developments.
What was the best thing about your course?
Finding out about Thermodynamics, Combustion and Steam Turbines.
What did you enjoy most about your time at Northumbria University?
Learning and joining with fellow students.
What advice would you give somebody who is considering studying at Northumbria?
Set your goals and do everything possible to ensure that you do get there.
How would you describe your time at Northumbria in three words?
Really inspiring place.
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