BE DESIGN - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Principal Sustainability Consultant
Principal sustainability consultant Andrew Gwynne started his career predominantly in surveying residential and commercial buildings for EPC., Andrew expanded his specialism into undertaking SAP calculations and energy and sustainability reports, and now has more than 15 years' experience in the field. He holds a wide range of professional qualifications and industry-related accomplishments, including being a qualified BREEAM Assessor and Home Quality Mark Assessor.
Job Titles:
- Director of ESG, Sustainability & Wellbeing
As associate director of sustainability and wellbeing, Charlotte heads up our sustainability team and is responsible for ensuring that a sustainable future is at the heart of everything we do. With more than 10 years of consulting experience in the sustainable building industry, she is a highly passionate individual striving to create cost-effective strategies that achieve Net Zero Carbon and are designed with human wellbeing in mind.
Charlotte is a Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) with the Energy Institute and member of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment. She also sits on the CIBSE Homes for the Future and Constructing Excellence steering groups. Outside of work, Charlotte works on keeping active by running with her Labrador, open water swimming, and playing tennis.
Job Titles:
- Business Manager
- Head of Finance
Heading up the non-core disciplines within BE Design, Craig is our head of finance and business manager. He has more than 20 years' experience as a management accountant and commercial accountant, giving him the skillset needed to manage fixed assets and revenue streams, along with interacting with key business stakeholders to further BE Design's success.
Craig describes himself as a doting father, which takes up most of his time - but also enjoys getting on the golf course when he can.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Engineering Director
Enthusiastic and client-focused engineering director Dian leads our engineering team in achieving design excellence. He brings a broad range of skills and knowledge to any project, gained through more than 20 years' extensive experience in the industry covering a range of sectors including education.
He is an expert in providing a holistic overview of designs and dealing with complex sites and challenging ground conditions, maximising development opportunities to deliver excellent schemes for clients, particularly in the refurbishment of existing structures. Dian dedicates his spare time to enjoying the great outdoors with his family and is a keen open water swimmer.
Job Titles:
- Head of BIM and Digital Delivery
Mark heads up our BIM and digital delivery services, responding to our clients' requirements for innovative solutions. He has more than 25 years' professional experience delivering projects across the infrastructure, energy, logistics, and manufacturing sectors and has worked on a number of the UK's largest and most technically challenging projects, supporting their aspirations to move towards a digital approach.
Holding an MSc in Building Information Modelling management, Mark has been involved with several industry groups and committees throughout his career. In his spare time, he likes to relax on the riverbank while fishing and keeping himself fit cycling the Great British countryside.
Job Titles:
- Chartered Architect and Head of Germany
- Director, Head of Germany
Nina is a Chartered Architect and Head of Germany with 12 years of experience in the global Construction Industry. Nina has significant experience in Industrial, Residential and Office sectors. She is experienced in delivering planning services through all phases of the HOAI together with acting as a General Planner and managing the necessary consultancy team. Nina is passionate about the sustainable and environmentally design and execution of buildings. She is also familiar with cost management in the German market.
Non Executive Chairman Paul is a Chartered Surveyor and a Board Member & International Representative of the Society of Industrial & Office Realtors (SIOR) With more than 40 years experience leading teams at major global property consultancies and as a trusted advisor to leading occupiers worldwide with particular emphasis on business transformation and the implementation of strategies to reduce cost,enhance value and ensure that maximum efficiencies & wellbeing and achievement of sustainability objectives are derived from the occupation of real estate.
His experience spans multiple sectors with particular emphasis on Industrial & Logistics. Out of the office Paul enjoys watersports,skiing, Formula 1, golf and spending time with family and grandchildren.
Job Titles:
- Principal Building Physics and Sustainability Consultant
Paul is a principal building physics and sustainability consultant, developing sustainable solutions for energy production and storage. He's a qualified low carbon consultant, non-domestic energy assessor, and member of CIBSE.
When he's not visiting hydro and geothermal power stations across the globe on holiday, Paul is a keen endurance athlete and has even represented Great Britain at a half-ironman triathlon in Spain.
Director Rich has more than two decades in civil and structural engineering and heads up the architectural and engineering services for some of our key clients. He has a strong background of technical ability across a wide range of disciplines, which complements his ability to efficiently manage multiple delivery teams. Rich is renowned for his ability to converse on an equal level with clients, taking a pragmatic approach to problems.
In his spare time, Rich enjoys family time with his wife and two boys. He's a keen swimmer and a dab hand at DIY.
Favourite quote: "A man who views the world at fifty as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of his life." - Muhammed Ali.
Associate engineer Shawn specialises in civil and structural design, project management and coordination, work distribution and resource management, and developing relationships with our clients. Having graduated in civil engineering from the University of Nottingham, Shawn now has 17 years of consultancy experience within the construction industry and is an Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and an Associate Member of The Institute of Structural Engineers (AMIStructE).
Outside of work, family man Shawn enjoys spending time outdoors when the sun is shining, along with seeking the thrill of motorsports whenever he can.
Sport and exercise have always played a huge part in Silvia's life, having competed for the national Italian figure skating team. She is also a keen amateur photographer, having exhibited her work at the Birmingham Photography Show.
Co-founding director Simon Powell spearheads our architecture division, leading with his passion for the design and realisation of ideas within the built environment. Having more than 20 years' experience under his belt, Simon has a wealth of experience in producing concepts that can materialise into functional, usable, and beneficial spaces, with the aim of bringing people and communities together forming the backbone of his creative process.
Away from work, Simon heads to the coast at every opportunity to take in the best of what nature has to offer and enjoy time with his family.
Stephen Oakden - Founder, Managing Director
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder
- Managing Director
- Chartered Structural Engineer
Co-founding director Stephen Oakden is a Chartered structural engineer and both a member of the European Federation of Engineers and a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transportation. With more than 35 years of experience, his vast expertise spans a variety of sectors, including complex logistic facilities, student accommodation and data centres.
He takes great joy from helping members of the BE Design family achieve their personal and professional goals, from buying their first house to celebrating a well-deserved promotion. When he's not working, he loves getting outdoors with his family, hiking and off-piste skiing.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director - Highways
Highways associate director Steve has been working within the construction industry for more than 30 years and in that time has built up a huge skillset working across a wide range of projects. These have included airfields, mine water treatment schemes, industrial and residential projects, and highways schemes covering everything from minor junction improvements to motorways.
An Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and member of the Institute of Civil Engineers, Steve is also a local parish councillor, plays hockey and has a passion for maintaining his classic car collection.
Associate director Tim leads our design team of engineers and technicians to deliver robust, efficient solutions to deliver on clients' needs, expectations, timescales and budgets. In a career spanning more than 24 years, he has managed the civil and structural engineering aspects of many business parts, leisure centres, retail projects and residential schemes, taking projects from initial conceptualisation through to practical completion.
A multitude of hobbies keep Tim busy outside work, including being the frontman of an amateur rock band. To balance his inner rock star, he also enjoys growing his own fruit and vegetables, playing tennis and watching football.