Midlands-based consulting engineer makes strong start to year with new hire

Construction engineering consultancy, Howard Ward Associates (HWA), has made a positive start to the year with a pipeline of work with a GDV of approximately £125m and a new appointment to the team.

Nottingham-based HWA delivers construction engineering consultancy services across the country in sectors including education, healthcare, emergency services and residential.

Following a busy 2020 and a strong pipeline of work this year, plus continued investment in technology, HWA is able to invest in the next generation of its team members.

Structural engineer Jack Thompson has joined the team following the completion of his BEng Civil Engineering (Hons) degree at Nottingham Trent University, where he is continuing his studies with a masters in Structural Engineering.

A student member of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), Jack will support the senior HWA team by producing designs, drawings and calculations for projects and developing solutions to complex technical challenges.

Jack will be busy out of the office too; visiting construction sites for inspections and providing advice and guidance to contractors and suppliers to ensure the smooth delivery of schemes.

On his new appointment, Jack said: “I’m incredibly pleased to start my new role at HWA and have the opportunity to advance my career at a company that is well-respected and highly experienced in the industry.

“Thanks to a recommendation by a principal engineer at HWA, I knew I wanted to join the team here – I was able to experience three weeks at the company prior to Christmas, to get to know everyone and get a good feel for how the company operates.

“The team have been very supportive when it comes to my studies and I will have the chance to work on a mixture of great projects, use different types of design and meet people from all sectors of the industry.”

Established in 1977, HWA has worked across high-profile schemes, both locally and nationally, and continues to develop and expand its talented team to further service its clients.

One of the firm’s latest projects is The Oaks, Coventry – a significant, phased, student accommodation development located close to the University of Warwick. HWA provided civil and structural engineering services from feasibility and planning stages through the construction stage which is currently on site.

HWA also recently completed its work in a ground-breaking renewables project in Lancashire. 250 social housing properties were fitted with photovoltaic (PV) solar panels – the result of a three-year initiative to help revolutionise the sector’s usage of renewable energy.

Closer to home, on a pro-bono basis the company assisted charitable organisation Lowdham Railway Heritage to relocate Lowdham’s original signal box to a new position, which meant lifting the historic structure across the lines.

Giles Ward, managing director at HWA, said: “It is a pleasure to welcome Jack to the team, as we enter a new year that is set to be a busy and positive one for the company. Jack brings a great attitude to his role, an abundance of skills and an eagerness to learn. He is already settling in well to the team.

“Given the challenges faced by us all over the last year, we are proud of the resilience, flexibility and motivation shown by our team – it has allowed us to continue working with new clients – and continue to provide efficient and flexible service.

“We have worked on many unique and ground-breaking projects over the last year – which have supported both our local communities in the East Midlands and further afield - and we’re looking forward to delivering the exciting pipeline of works we have lined up in 2021.”