Wind in his sails

Specialty 

These days commissioning and energy efficiency. In the past, high-tech building like laboratories, pharmaceutical, bio-containment and the like. I still get a few calls about the later. I still enjoy them. They always provide an interesting challenge.  

Passions 

At work, controls and efficiency. Out of work, sailing.  

How did you cope during the COVID-19 pandemic ? 

Luckily, I had a few big jobs still going in the background like the Sydney Football Stadium. Apart from work I also increased my exercise, which helped both physically and mentally.  

What do you like about your job? 

While I work for myself, I do enjoy working in larger teams with my independent commissioning agent (ICA) projects. I get great satisfaction in handing a building over to a client with it operating to its capabilities from day one.  

What do you find challenging?  

Getting people to un-complicate things to make them better. The engineering axiom of, “If it isn’t broken, then it doesn’t have enough feature yet” shouldn’t be applied to everything.

“I get great satisfaction in handing a building over to a client with it operating to its capabilities from day one”

What would you most like that you don’t have? 

My new carbon-fibre mast for my boat, which was delayed due to the worldwide shipping delays. I’m also going to have a look at an electric car this week.  

Was that a knife you had tucked in your sock at the AIRAH Awards? 

Yes it’s a Sgian Dubh. It’s  worn by the Scots so we always have a knife handy for eating.  

What are you optimistic about? 

That we can get on top of de-carbonising a large part of the economy. Private investment, even in the absence of government incentives, is pushing in this direction. We know it makes economic sense, but now it is making financial sense too. 

Like to know more? 

For more on AIRAH’s Postgraduate Diploma in Building Services – HVAC&R, go to www.airah.org.au/pdbs