As a principal structural engineer Derek does a broad variety of structural and civil design, procurement and construction administration.
Derek adds significant value by selecting pragmatic and innovative solutions for clients. With three decades’ experience in design for efficient construction and assessing construction techniques and solutions he is a real asset.
He prepares specifications and methodologies based on his experience as a contractor’s engineer, designer, and project manager. The disciplines he operates in include alpine and underground structures, tunnelling, small bridges, retaining walls, geotechnical risk appraisal, stormwater design, and strategic planning.
The job offers a continuously changing variety of geotechnical, structural and water engineering projects to stimulate Derek’s creativity, and challenge and excite him, especially when he gets to fly into remote alpine sites on helicopters to design buildings or ski area infrastructure that’ll withstand harsh conditions and high altitudes.
Not surprisingly Derek spends his spare time skiing and mountaineering in some of the remotest parts of the world, and his favourite book is An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth by Chris Hadfield.