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A proud team player with a passion for helping people develop their skills, support and trust are key to Mark in heading up 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 this time, Mark has expanded the team and added new services creating a department that now forms a significant part of 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 the vast majority of building consultancy projects in their early stages, providing guidance and practical support where needed. Mark additionally has Board responsibilities for information technology, property and premises.

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

As a compassionate and dedicated leader, Mark places emphasis on trust within the business.

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

I strongly believe in building on the foundations laid by those who have worked and managed the business in the past and to develop and maintain 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, with more than 35 years’ experience in the industry.

A highly experienced structural engineer, Mike Coulman brings a wealth of knowledge to Alan Wood & Partners. With expertise across a wide range of sectors, his renowned knowledge 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.

His progression was fast, moving quickly from Graduate to Structural Engineer, Senior Structural Engineer, and Associate, to his current position of Hull Structures Office Director.

Heading up a team of fourteen people, Mike’s department provides expert structural design and detailing of substructures and superstructures, working across a wide range of sectors including commercial, healthcare, industrial and manufacturing, education, residential and defence. 

He also has significant experience in providing solutions in steelwork, concrete, and timber, both traditionally and in MMC.

Social by nature, Mike combines being an effective team player with strong leadership skills, ensuring he is always approachable to colleagues wanting to discuss professional or personal issues. He prides himself on helping people in the business progress in their careers and is always on hand to provide mentorship and advice.

Mike is a Chartered Engineer and 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 the installation of AV equipment, she decided to return to her finance roots. In 2013, she took on the role of an Account Assistant with a local business, which was later acquired by an ASX-listed company. Rapidly advancing through the ranks, she attained the positions of General Manager and Director.

Motivated by this progress, Caroline joined Alan Wood & Partners as an Accountant and Office Manager, subsequently ascending to the role of Finance Director in 2019. Overseeing 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, coupled with the ongoing pursuit of chartered status with CIMA, reflects 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 13 years’ with a firm of civil and structural consultants.  Favouring a GNVQ in Construction and Design over the traditional degree route Simon initially worked as a draftsman.

Over his career, he has excelled in architecture and project management, as well as heavy civil and structural engineering. As a result of this rounded experience, he now holds the post of Associate for our civils and architectural teams in Hull, where he uses the experience he has gained to create designs that solve clients’ problems and deliver on their aspirations.

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

Having experienced many difference facets of the industry, accumulating significant experience across numerous sectors, Simon has seen the benefits of close team working and adopts this in 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, looking after a team of ten surveyors across our offices.

He joined the business in May 2015, working out of 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 Andrew has worked on 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 full range of building surveying services, as well as conducting party wall work. He passes the knowledge and expertise he has amassed over his career by acting as an assessor for young surveyors moving 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.”

Andy is a member of 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 started her career in construction in 2006 when she joined the pre-construction team of a well-known main contracting business, supporting the pre-qualifications and tender process. From here, she became the Marketing Manager for the same business, 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 industry groups including Humber CATCH, the Humber Chamber of Commerce Business Peer Group, a member of the 4GoodFund Board (YORbuild Framework), representative 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 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, moving on to work for developers, contractors, and building consultants. He has held Board level positions in global enterprises such as AECOM and WSP.

Peter continues to use the experience, knowledge and contacts to drive significant growth for Alan Wood & Partners. Over the course of his tenure, he has played a leading role in growing the business to six regional offices with an accompanying rise in turnover. He has spent many years bringing new engineers through the organisation and supported them during 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 this 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. 

Rising from Technician to Managing Director over a 35 year career with Alan Wood & Partners, Neil Read has played a leading role in growing revenue and the geographical footprint of the business.

After leaving school at 16, Neil embarked on a four-year fabrication and welding apprenticeship, followed by a draftsperson apprenticeship, before joining Alan Wood & Partners in 1989 as a technician.

Here, he continued his education, first by completing an Engineering Council Degree in structural engineering and then becoming a Chartered Structural Engineer in 1998.

Neil become an Associate Structural Engineer and then, in 2003, he was seconded to open our York office which he ran for nine years.

In 2006, he became a Board Director, followed by a move to Sheffield to help establish that office and lead the structural engineering team in the city. He also played an integral role in launching our Lincoln operations.

Neil was promoted to Managing Director in March 2017, a position he held until stepping down to become a Consultant in December 2022. He now uses all the experience he has amassed to advise our structural engineering teams on the challenges presented by large and technical projects.

Neil has always operated an open-door policy with many colleagues and clients have benefited from this approach. Notable projects he has worked on include the offices of well-known Hull legal practice Gosschalks and the Twilight Zone of popular tourist attraction The Deep.

Neil is a member of the Chartered Institute of Structural Engineers and an Associate member of the Association for Project Safety.