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A proud team player with a passion for supporting individuals in developing their skills and building trust, this is key for Mark in leading Alan Wood & Partners.

Mark joined Alan Wood & Partners in December 2012 as an Associate Surveyor and Project Manager and quickly set about expanding the company’s building consultancy services.

Since then, Mark has expanded the team and introduced new services, forming a department that now plays a significant role in our overall offering.

These achievements didn’t go unnoticed, and Mark was one of five employees invited to join the board as equity Directors in 2015 and became Managing Director in January 2023.   He is involved in many building consultancy projects in their early stages, providing guidance and practical support where needed. Additionally, Mark has Board responsibilities for information technology, property and premises.

Notable projects include leading the 10-year transformation of Hull Minister, an award-winning project which he described as a labour of love. He has also been involved in several landmark projects across Hull, including the Campus for Digital Innovation (C4DI) and Arco’s National Distribution Centre extension, all of which are part of the City’s continuing regeneration.

As a compassionate and dedicated leader, Mark emphasises trust within the business.

“I believe passionately in teamwork; I played sports where trust and true teamwork really do make the difference between satisfactory and great results.

I strongly believe in building on the foundations laid by those who have worked in and managed the business in the past, and developing and maintaining our “can do” culture by striving to be the consultant of choice, the partner to work with and the place to work.”

He is a member of RICS and the Chartered Association of Building Engineers and has more than 35 years of experience in the industry.

Specialising in the water sector, James has led the design and delivery of local, national, and internationally renowned projects and is recognised as an expert in flood risk, SuDS, and drainage.

James heads Alan Wood & Partners Civil Engineering, leading a team of engineers in Hull and across our offices in Sheffield, York, and Leeds.

Specialising in flood risk and sustainable drainage, he is the lead designer on the Yorkshire Water, Environment Agency, Hull & East Riding ‘Living With Water’ initiative, which aims to protect the city and its surrounding areas from the risk of future flooding.

James started his career in hydraulics and engineering associated with public wastewater treatment works.  He then saw the opportunities in development-led flood risk and drainage projects encompassing residential, new schools and new commercial and industrial schemes. He advanced through the ranks to become a Regional Director at AECOM, with the highlight of his career being part of the leadership team that delivered the Jeddah Stormwater Drainage Programme, a £1 billion project involving dams, channels and drainage systems designed to protect lives and reduce flood risk after severe flooding affected the city.

He joined Alan Wood & Partners in 2014 and continued his rapid career progression, becoming a Director and Equity Partner in 2015 and Head of Civil Engineering across the business.

James is actively involved in all civil engineering projects, particularly in technical design and managing client relationships. He is known for his strong track record of delivery.

A highly professional individual, he combines a strong client focus with a personable attitude, ensuring the smooth delivery of even the most complex projects.

Beyond his core role, James is responsible for finance within the business, reporting on financial matters to the Board.  In this role, he works closely with the accounts department to ensure the business operates on a sound financial footing.

James is a Chartered Engineer and Chartered Water and Environmental Manager.  He is a member of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management and holds a Masters degree in Civil Engineering.

A highly experienced structural engineer, Mike Coulman brings extensive knowledge to Alan Wood & Partners. With expertise across various sectors, his well-regarded understanding of modern methods of construction (MMC) is in high demand.

Mike joined Alan Wood & Partners as a Graduate Engineer in 2010, initially in our Scarborough office, but transferring to Hull after six months with the business.

He progressed rapidly, advancing swiftly from Graduate to Structural Engineer, then Senior Structural Engineer, and Associate, before reaching his current role as Hull Structures Office Director.

Leading a team of fourteen, Mike’s department provides expert structural design and detailing for both substructures and superstructures. They work across various sectors, including commercial, healthcare, industrial, manufacturing, education, residential, and defence. 

He also has extensive experience in providing solutions for steelwork, concrete, and timber, using both traditional methods and modern methods of construction (MMC).

Social by nature, Mike blends being an effective team player with strong leadership skills, ensuring he is always approachable for colleagues seeking to discuss professional or personal issues. He takes pride in helping people within the business advance in their careers and is always available to provide mentorship and advice.

Mike is a Chartered Engineer and a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers.

“Working at Alan Wood & Partners has enabled me to make the job my own and grow into my position.”

Joining Alan Wood & Partners in 2017 marked a pivotal moment in Caroline’s career. After successfully managing her own business specialising in AV equipment installation, she chose to return to her finance roots. In 2013, she took on the role of Account Assistant with a local business, which was later acquired by an ASX-listed company. Rapidly advancing through the ranks, she reached the positions of General Manager and Director.

Motivated by this progress, Caroline joined Alan Wood & Partners as an Accountant and Office Manager, later rising to the position of Finance Director in 2019. Leading a team of four in the accounts department, she also oversees HR and personnel activities, ensuring methodical efficiency in business administration.

Her MAAT, DipMA and CGMA designations, along with her ongoing pursuit of chartered status with CIMA, reflect her commitment to professional development. Embracing her financial background, she has seamlessly integrated into the dynamic environment at Alan Wood & Partners.

“In my daily responsibilities, I've not only made the job my own but have also evolved within my position.  I find that the analytical mindset shared by engineers and finance professionals alike is a breath of fresh air.”

Simon Coupland’s vocational route into the industry and experience of a wide range of disciplines enables him to bring alternative perspectives to the business

Simon joined Alan Wood & Partners in 2010 after spending 13 years with a firm of civil and structural consultants.  Favouring a GNVQ in Construction and Design over the traditional degree route, he initially worked as a draftsman.

Throughout his career, he has excelled in architecture and project management, along with heavy civil and structural engineering. This diverse experience has led him to the role of Associate for our civils and architectural teams in Hull, where he utilises his expertise to create designs that address clients’ challenges and fulfil their aspirations.

Simon leads a team of eight and specialises in architectural services and project management for commercial and industrial projects. He directed the architectural service for Arco’s National Distribution Centre and collaborates extensively with the leading holiday home manufacturer, Swift Group.

Having explored various aspects of the industry and acquired significant experience across multiple sectors, Simon has recognised the advantages of close teamwork and incorporates this into his management style.

Simon is a member of the Chartered Association of Building Engineers.

Having been chartered for nearly 30 years,  Andrew brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our Building Consultancy team. A diplomat by nature, he particularly excels in the field of contract administration.

Andrew is an integral part of our Building Consultancy offering, managing a team of ten surveyors across our offices.

He joined the business in May 2015, and is based in the Hull office, where he provides building surveying and project management services to a broad range of sectors, including commercial, industrial, healthcare and education.

Among the notable schemes on which Andrew has worked are C4DI – Hull’s groundbreaking digital hub that brings together innovators and entrepreneurs – and Stage @TheDock, a 350-seat amphitheatre and former dry dock on Hull’s waterfront.

He has also worked closely in the pharmaceuticals and hygiene sectors, providing feasibility studies, contract administration and project management services for various sizes of schemes, including complex extensions and new builds within highly technical manufacturing facilities.

Andrew provides a comprehensive range of building surveying services, as well as conducting party wall work. He shares the knowledge and expertise he has gained throughout his career by acting as an assessor for young surveyors advancing through the ranks.

“I like the challenge of coordinating clients, contractors and design teams and working to arrive at the right solutions to generate results.

“I believe one of my strengths is the ability to communicate to all parties and find agreement where there is dispute, thereby helping projects to move ahead smoothly.”

Andrew is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Debbie Atkinson has gained a deep understanding of the construction industry through a series of marketing and business development roles. She now plays an integral part in the ongoing growth of Alan Wood & Partners.

Debbie began her career in construction in 2006 when she joined the pre-construction team of a well-known main contracting business, where she supported the pre-qualifications and tender process. From here, she became the Marketing Manager for the company, eventually moving into Business Development to fulfil her ambition of being more client and consultant-facing.

Within this role, Debbie was responsible for developing and implementing business development and marketing strategies to support the overall business plan.  Specifically, she took charge of driving business development and marketing initiatives across the East of England, spanning regions such as North East, Humber, and Lincolnshire. Her role entailed identifying approximately £350 million in annual opportunities across diverse sectors, including health, education, commercial ventures, retail, public sector projects, civil engineering and industrial and process industries.

Alongside this role, Debbie chaired the company’s charitable steering group and assisted with many of their CSR activities. She was involved in various industry groups, including Humber CATCH, the Humber Chamber of Commerce Business Peer Group, and a member of the 4GoodFund Board (YORbuild Framework).  Additionally, she represented the company at North East Process and Industrial Cluster forums and was the Company’s NEPO Civils Framework representative.

In 2022, Debbie joined Alan Wood & Partners as Lead on Business Development & Marketing, working with the Directors to develop and deliver the company’s business growth and CSR strategies.

Debbie qualified with a Diploma in Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing in 2010, achieving the highest grade in the Humber region.

A Chartered Engineer, Peter Drenon joined Alan Wood & Partners in a business-change position to help drive the company forward. Over the past 12 years, he has played an integral role in achieving a six-fold increase in turnover across the business.

Peter joined Alan Wood & Partners in 2012 after a varied and successful career spanning almost every aspect of the built environment.

A Chartered Engineer by training, he started his career with Cleveland Bridge in Darlington, before moving on to work for developers, contractors, and building consultants. He has held board-level positions in global organisations such as AECOM and WSP.

Peter continues to use his experience, knowledge and contacts to drive significant growth for Alan Wood & Partners. Throughout his tenure, he has played a leading role in expanding the business to six regional offices with an accompanying rise in turnover. He has dedicated many years to mentoring new engineers within the organisation and supporting them throughout their careers.

Peter is known for his unwavering commitment to assisting clients, often going to great lengths to ensure their satisfaction. Additionally, he is recognised for his strong work ethic and dedication to his responsibilities.

He has been involved in numerous major projects during his career, including the iconic Humber Bridge and was the lead technical advisor to the lead lending bank, Deutsche Bank, on the new Wembley Stadium.

Peter is a member of the Chartered Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) and sits on the Humber Bridge Board. He is also a long-term member of the local branch of the ICE.