5 About Me

After reading Architecture at the University of Liverpool, I went on to gain an MSc in Architecture: Advanced Environmental and Energy Studies. The course covered environmental science as applied to buildings and masterplanning and the role of passive design in mitigating environmental impact. As well as teaching undergraduate students, I presented research at the Solar Cities Conference in Berlin and had a research paper accepted for Passive Low Energy Architecture conference in Kushiro.

Graduating in 1996, there was at that time limited interest in environmental issues and I moved in to building services engineering, initially working for Engineering Design Consultants on education sector projects, primarily at University of Greenwich’s Royal Naval College campus. I then went on to work for the M&E contractor on the same site.

Returning to consultancy in 2001, I joined Rybka Battle (later Rybka, RYB:Konsult) as a Senior Mechanical Engineer with a remit to develop the practice’s environmental capability. The range of services offered was continuously developed and the team grew to 12 people. I was promoted first to Associate Director in 2004 and then to Project Director in 2007.

I left RYB:Konsult in June 2008 to take the position of NDY Environment Group Leader. In this role I represented London on the international sustainability steering committee, worked on various high profile projects and oversaw the London office achieving ISO 14001 and Carbon Trust accreditation.

I have recently left NDY to found a new practice with Sarah Mildenhall, which will focus on sustainability and the built environment. Sarah is joining me on the study tour and during the trip will be pursuing her own interests in the international EcoSchools programme and social sustainability.