Chris joined AJP in November 2024 to set up and lead our Birmingham Office and has grown the midlands team to over 20 technical specialists in less than a year delivering geotechnical, civil and structural engineer to a diverse range of existing and new clients. Chris started his career in 1999 at a large multi-national consultancy and spent the first three years of his career working extensively on the remediation and redevelopment of old colliery sites across the UK. From there he moved to work for a small multi-disciplinary consultancy in Nottingham before moving on after a few years to join a site investigation company based in Burton-on-Trent. At the latter he stayed for ten years and progressed from Senior Engineer to Divisional Manager running a team of 20+ geo-environmental engineers assessing sites across the country.

After ten years in the same business, he joined a multi-disciplinary consulting engineers in Birmingham to set up a new geo-environmental team, within a few years this grew to team of 15 staff turning over £1.8-2m. At this practice he progressed from Associate Director to Senior Parter and sat on the executive board and took commercial leadership of the civil and structural engineering teams based in the Birmingham office in addition to the geo-environmental team.

Key Skills: Site appraisal, foundation design, contaminated land assessment, geotechnical assessment, slope stability, earthworks.

In a few words: Slightly overweight, occasionally grumpy proud Yorkshireman

Gary embarked on his professional journey as a Junior Technician at Stewart & Harris Ltd in 1988. His roles encompassed significant responsibilities, including, technical drawings, and project coordination taking his role up to senior structural technician. Joining Patrick Parsons in 2014 merging Stewart & Harris further enriched his skillset, where he enveloped the talent for project management and financial control and responsibility for projects as well as still liaising with architects, providing technical drawings and interacting with clients. Gary took his role to Structural Partner before joining AJP in 2024.

Joining AJP in 2024 as Associate Director of the structures team in the Birmingham office, Gary contributed to various schemes, ranging from residential developments to Healthcare, Extra Care, industrial and commercial projects. With a wealth of experience spanning 37 years in structural engineering, Gary has transitioned his focus to overall project control, where he establishes and maintains project workflows with meticulous attention to detail. His commitment to enhancing project efficiency, compliance, and accuracy is evident in her proactive approach, ensuring seamless communication among stakeholders.

Gary’s interpersonal skills, technical acumen, and exceptional time management abilities have been instrumental in his success. He thrives on identifying technical challenges and providing sustainable solutions aligned with client requirements. Organised and goal-oriented, Gary’s excels in managing multiple tasks efficiently while delivering results within strict deadlines

Key Skills:

• Early Integration with Multidisciplinary Teams
• With decades in the field, Gary knows that early collaboration with Architects, civil engineers, MEP, and contractors avoids costly redesigns and structural conflicts.
• Robust Design Detailing & Constructability
• Gary would emphasize that no matter how good the structural concept is accurate, buildable detailing is what makes a design successful in the real world.
• Attention to buildability—ensuring the design can be realistically executed on-site with available materials and methods. Anticipating and resolving potential clash issues (e.g. between structural and M&E systems) before they reach construction
• Compliance, Safety & Long-Term Performance
• Structural safety is the foundation of engineering. With his background, Gary would insist on frameworks that meet and exceed regulatory, code, and safety standards, while ensuring durability

In a few words: Call me Gadge! swear too much, easy going, approachable, shy and retiring most of the time, very overweight these days!

John joined AJP in November 2024 alongside Chris Storey at the opening of our Birmingham Office to assist in leading and growing the geotechnical team. John has a career spanning 20 years starting as a Geotechnical Engineer at a well-known multi office geotechnical contractor before moving to a single office practice furthering his experience of all aspects of geotechnical site work, contracting and getting rained on. Having got suitably damp he made a major shift in his career, and location, to oversee a remote gold exploration project in the Great Sandy Desert of Western Australia.

Having avoided sunburn and spiders he returned to the UK to continue his geotechnical career, including supervising major urban expansion, infrastructure and tunnel projects. Following a move in to consulting in 2015, joining Chris as an Engineer at his previous practice to progress his career into consultancy, he progressed from Engineer to Senior and then Principal Engineer and eventually Associate Director leading a near gender balanced team of 10+ Engineers from Graduate to Associate level. John moved alongside Chris to build the new AJP geotechnical team delivering in house geotechnical services for new and existing AJP clients.

Key Skills: Site appraisal, contaminated land assessment, geotechnical assessment, coal mining risk assessment and remediation.

In a few words: An optimistic pessimist powered by a mix of sarcasm and cynicism.

Principal Structural Engineer with 11 years of experience progressing from a graduate role to an advanced leadership position. Proven expertise in the residential sector, including significant project delivery across Extra Care, industrial, and commercial developments. Highly competent in both new-build design and the assessment of existing structures with a strong commitment to client-focused project delivery.

Key Skills:

• Design and detailing.
• Multi discipline interaction and integration.
• Relationship management.
• Problem solving.

In a few words: Happy, Eccentric and sociable.

Abdourahamane started his career in 2021 as a graduate engineer at a ground investigation firm in Peterborough and spent the first 2.5 years monitoring survey (ground gas/water) and assisting senior engineers in their ground investigation projects. Later, he started supervising site and conducting complex ground investigation predominantly in the London area.

Abdourahamane joined AJP in April 2025 as a Geo-environmental engineer, since he has been helping the growth of the Geo team in the Birmingham office. He has got more than 4 years experienced in ground investigation and phase 1 site appraisal. Since his time at AJP, he has taken role into project managing some projects and supervising complex site investigation with strict health and safety measures.

In a few words:  Slightly overweight, French speaking, easy going, caring and a bit funny.

Adnan began his career journey with AJP after graduating with a degree in Geology from the University of Birmingham. Since joining, he has been gaining valuable hands-on experience in ground investigation, carrying out tasks such as gas and groundwater monitoring, trial pitting, window sampling, capping validation and contributing to Phase 1 and Phase 2 reports. These experiences have allowed him to develop his understanding of soil types, sampling techniques and data recording, as well as the importance of maintaining strong health and safety practices while working on active sites.

Adnan continues to build his technical and reporting skills through regular site work and office-based projects, focusing on improving his soil logging and data recording abilities while developing his understanding of how laboratory testing and site data contribute to project design and delivery. With a keen interest in learning and personal growth, he aims to take on greater responsibility in reporting, coordination and technical input as he progresses in his career at AJP.

Experience: Developing knowledge of trial pitting, window sampling, gas and groundwater monitoring, and soil logging. Growing confidence with data recording and understanding how site information supports Phase 1 and Phase 2 investigations. Good awareness of health and safety procedures, teamwork, communication, and adapting to new site environments while continuing to learn and improve

In a few words: Quietly determined, easy-going, and always trying to get better at what I do

Andy joined AJP in August 2025, having worked with a number of the Birmingham geo-environmental team previously. Andy started his career after completing his post-graduate studies in 2012 with a large well known ground investigation contractor. After a few years of on-site experience he joined a multi-disciplinary consultancy in 2015, where he first met Chris Storey, John Baron and Gary Richardson.

In addition to further honing his site investigation skills, Andy was exposed to other facets of geotechnical and geo-environmental engineering, adding coal mining risk assessment and investigation, earthworks, and remediation to his skillset. In 2019, Andy joined a well-known large multi-disciplinary consultancy as a Senior Engineer and was responsible for project management and delivery as part of a small team based in Birmingham, and during the lockdown of 2020 procured and delivered over £120k worth of work while the majority of his team was on furlough. Over the next five years, Andy would work within a number of multi-disciplinary teams, helping to deliver technically robust and cost effective engineering solutions for clients in different sectors including residential, highways, rail, commercial and energy.

Key Skills: Ground investigation, contaminated land and geotechnical assessment, earthworks.

In a few words: Usually has some sort of injury. Likes egg chasing and old broken BMWs.

Chigozie started his career back in Nigeria in 2017 as a freelance geologist, gathering both geologic and geophysical data for clients. He continued working as a freelance geologist between 2017 and 2021 while juggling other jobs as both a biology and chemistry teacher for secondary school students.

When he arrived in the UK in 2021 to complete his MSc (Applied Environmental Geology) at Cardiff University, he worked with Vertase FLI for six months as an intern student. He continued his career at Brownfield Solutions Ltd. in the Stoke Prior office as a graduate engineer between April 2023 and December 2024, undertaking site investigations, groundwater and gas surveys, site walkovers, soakaway testing, and Phase I and II reports, predominantly around southern England and parts of northern England.
Chigozie joined AJP in January 2025 as a geo-environmental engineer and has been active in helping the expansion of the Geo Team (Birmingham office). While still managing and supervising site investigations, he is also helping train the graduates geo-environmental engineers.

Key Skills: Site supervisor, Site investigation, Soil and Rock logging, Site appraisal, contaminated land assessment, geotechnical assessment.

Experience: HazWaste Online.

In a few words: Slim, jovial and proud Christian.

Jenny is a geo-environmental engineer with over seventeen years’ experience in the geo-environmental-engineering consultancy industry. She has been responsible for the supervision and delivery of technical projects from site appraisals through to the verification of remediation works and has particular experience of the redevelopment of Brownfield sites.

Jenny completed a PhD in Earth Sciences at the University of Glasgow in 2005, subsequently working as a post-doctoral researcher until 2007 when she joined Soil Mechanics. Jenny later joined Halcrow as a geo-environmental engineer where she gained experience in working in a large multidisciplinary engineering consultancy. In particular she was involved in the redevelopment of large Brownfield sites with work including the production of interpretive geo-environmental reports, human health and controlled waters risk assessment, development of remediation strategies and supervision and validation of earthworks and remediation. To further develop in her role at Halcrow Jennifer was sponsored by the company to undertake a part-time MRes in Contaminated Land Management at the University of Nottingham, which she successfully completed in 2014.

Jenny has subsequently worked at Associate level at medium to large multidisciplinary companies where she has been responsible for technical delivery of geo-environmental projects, the development of junior staff members and client liaison.

Key Skills: Contaminated land risk assessment, ground investigation, geo-environmental appraisal, materials management

Ibrahim began his career as an Apprentice Engineer in 2022 before joining AJP in 2025 to be part of the Civils Team in the Birmingham Office, after accumulating valuable hands-on experience on construction sites, is now building a strong foundation in infrastructure design and implementation. His early exposure to real-world engineering challenges laid the groundwork and crafted his skills for a practical, solutions-oriented approach that continues to define his work today, bringing engineering designs to life.

Progressing into the role of Site Engineer, Ibrahim took on greater responsibility in the delivery of infrastructure projects, working closely with contractors, surveyors, and local authorities. During this time, he developed a deep understanding of on-site construction processes, quality control, and the coordination required between design and delivery teams to ensure successful project outcomes. He has enriched his skillset for tackling engineering problems from experiencing difficulties with site construction, becoming a pro-active problem solver.

As his experience grew, Ibrahim transitioned into the role of Civil Engineer, where he began focusing more heavily on the technical design approaching this through a buildability-first mindset. His project portfolio spans residential, commercial, and industrial developments, with expertise in drainage strategy, SuDS strategies, road and junction design, and earthworks. Ibrahim has worked on projects at all stages — and has delivered both standalone and multi-disciplinary schemes from planning through to detailed design and construction support. — and is proficient in the use of industry-standard software including AutoCAD and Civil 3D.

Ibrahim’s practical background and on-site experience give him a unique perspective in civil engineering design, becoming a contributor in project success. His keen eye to detail, proactive communication, and collaborative working style enables him to efficiently deal with challenges and targets whilst maintaining quality standards.

Now with years of experience in the industry, Ibrahim is focused on continuing to deliver high-quality engineering designs while contributing to the development of efficient project workflows. His passion lies in bridging the gap between design and construction, ensuring that infrastructure is not only well-engineered, but also practical and sustainable.

Key Skils: CAD Proficiency, On-Site Experience, Buildability-Focused Design, Detailed-Oriented Design, Site Works, Groundworks Knowledge, Adaptable and Analytical Approach, Pro-active Problem Solver, Collaborative Approach

In a few words: Bridging the gap between muddy boots and clean drawings, hard-working, easy-going, approachable, dependable and an introvert with extrovert settings when required.

Kieran joined AJP in May 2025 to lead the civils team in our Birmingham office.
He began his career in 2014 at a well-established civil engineering consultancy in the West Midlands. Starting as a trainee civil engineer, Kieran progressed to the role of Principal Engineering Coordinator, where he was responsible for managing his own projects. Over the course of his career, he has gained valuable experience in taking projects from the conceptual design stage through to securing the necessary technical approvals required for construction to begin.

Key Skills: AutoCAD, Site 3d, WinDes, Causeway Flow, project management and team leading.

In a few words: Approachable, team player, Avid PC gamer

Luke joined the AJP team in Birmingham in March 2025 after spending 11 years working for AECOM. After originally studying Architectural Technology at BCU, he originally joined AECOM as a CAD Technician within the building surveying team on a temporary contract assisting with a nationwide programme of school building condition surveys. Following this he joined the Civil Engineering team as a Technician and undertook a 5-year part time degree apprenticeship at Wolverhampton University.

Luke gained a wide range of experience working on large-scale mixed-use developments, at all stages of the from planning applications & obtaining technical approvals through to construction and post-construction snagging inspections and adoption submissions. This involved building significant relationships with both clients and other stakeholders, including adopting authorities and other design team organisations.

Since joining AJP Luke has worked on a wide range of residential schemes as part of the newly created Birmingham civils team.

Key Skills: Drainage Design, Highway Design, Earthworks Cut & Fill

In a few words: Fairly grumpy, coffee-addict, often ready with a sarcastic quip but holds himself back too often!

Shahzad Mirza is a seasoned Civil Engineer with nearly 20 years of experience, specialising in complex highway infrastructure projects.

He began his career in 2003 as a Graduate Engineer at Mott MacDonald, where he was responsible for producing technical drawings and coordinating projects across various framework contracts. In 2005, Shahzad joined Warwickshire County Council, where he expanded his expertise in feasibility studies, detailed design, contract management, and site supervision. His work included a wide range of intricate highway schemes such as bypasses and complex junction configurations, including roundabouts.

In 2024, Shahzad joined AJP as a Senior Engineer within the Civils team at the Birmingham office. Since then, he has played a key role in delivering numerous highway and infrastructure projects, including residential roads and complex junctions for a diverse client base. His ability to secure technical approvals efficiently has been instrumental in the success of these schemes.

With over two decades of industry experience, Shahzad has progressively shifted his focus towards comprehensive project management, client liaison, and budget oversight, bringing strategic value and leadership to every project he undertakes.

Key Skills: Major & minor highway design, Pre-application/ technical advice for Section 38 and 278 highway schemes, Strong experience in creating detailed design packages and negotiating technical approval.

Experience: Utility management including clash detection and negotiating diversion costs, Site viability assessments for residential developers, Design of Vehicle Restraints Systems, Drainage Design including SUDS design.

In a few words: Most people know him as Shaz—a laid-back, proactive, and adaptable guy who’s all about the details. He’s the kind of person who brings calm energy and sharp focus to any project.