Job title: Principal Consultant
Employer: Maze Fire Consulting
Please describe your current role.
I am a Principal Consultant working for Maze Fire Consulting L.L.C. I have recently relocated to Dubai with my wife, two children (with a third at university in the UK), two cats and a dog. My role is split between delivering projects and undertaking business development work.
As part of the management team my role also involves planning the future workload and direction of the company. As a principal consultant, my time is usually split between business development, project work, managing projects and reviewing work: either other people’s reports or fee proposals.
Can you describe a typical working day?
I had been mainly working from home since COVID but following the move to Dubai, I am back in the office most days. I’m glad to have the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues in person again. I typically get in early as the mornings (before the UK starts work) tend to be my most productive times for project work. The afternoons typically involve client meetings and review work. I enjoy getting out to meet existing and prospective clients at one of the frequent networking events that the UAE offers.
Are there any challenges or unusual aspects to your role?
In the fire safety sector we are constantly challenged to ensure that our expertise is at the forefront of the current developments so that our clients receive the best advice possible. Keeping abreast of all the latest developments whilst achieving deadlines can create time pressure but fortunately, I enjoy keeping up-to-date with my learning. It can also be a challenge to know when you have reached the extent of your knowledge and have the confidence to take advice from a colleague.
What do you find most enjoyable about your job?
I enjoy getting on site, meeting and developing relationships with clients is very fulfilling. The process of guiding a client towards their vision, whilst maintaining the key principles of fire safety can be challenging but is ultimately extremely rewarding.
Is there a great professional achievement you would like to tell us about?
Without a doubt, completing my MEng at the University of Lancashire whilst working full-time, is my greatest professional achievement. It was a real family project because it required the support of everyone at home, as I was much less available during that period. I’m happy to say that my career has been catapulted forward due to my studies and work ethic, so the study period feels like a very worthy investment in my career and family’s future.
What contributed to your decision to become professionally registered?
From early on in my studies at ULan I have had the goal of becoming a Chartered Engineer. This contributed to the decision to transfer from the BEng course to the integrated MEng which was accredited by the IFE and Engineering Council towards CEng professional registration. I also knew from my time in the fire service that it is difficult for clients to decipher who has the necessary competence to complete their requirements. The obvious way to demonstrate your competence is to put yourself through an external assessment process to achieve registration. I applied for EngTech as soon as I left the fire service and then IEng once I received my degree certificate.
I achieved CEng registration in 2025, which was the culmination of a many years of hard work, including countless long evenings squirreled away on my laptop.
In what ways has registration benefitted your career?
The clear benefit is that clients and peers can see, based on formal industry assessment, that I’ve demonstrated the competence required for CEng registration. Chartered status also enables me to lead larger, more interesting, and more complex projects.
How does your employer benefit from your professional registration?
There are clear business benefits from professional registration as more clients are asking how many Chartered Engineers we employ when we are invited to tender for projects. My registration as CEng gives our company a significant boost in the process.
What advice would you give to someone considering professional registration?
I have used the registration process as a career ladder tool over the last few years. Having regular goals has kept me focussed on the type of projects I’m working on and also the CPD opportunities I seek out. Anyone in the early part of their career should look to apply for professional registration as soon as they are able. Don’t wait until you are on the wrong side of 40 with three kids like me as life only gets busier!