Since joining Webb Yates Engineers in 2010, Robert has successfully developed the Birmingham office, building up an impressive team of engineers and attracting a number of prestigious clients. Here we learn more about him and hear his best bad joke!

Which Webb Yates Engineers project are you most proud of and why?

The Harvester Restaurant at The Fort Shopping Centre. This was one of our first projects back in 2011 when there was just myself and a Cad technician. The building was positioned over the underground car park so it involved piling in the underground car park with a transfer steel structure from basement to ground positioned to accommodate the basement car parking and road way. The car park concrete slab at ground level had to be strengthened and then the main building was placed on top. The project was designed and detailed within a couple of months and then completed on site without any problems.

What would you be doing if you weren’t an engineer?

I would be retired by now having made much more money! You do not become a Structural Engineer for the money, it’s a passion for creating nice structures and developing the world we live in.

Which building has most inspired you and why?

Sistine Chapel, Vatican City – Architects: Baccio Pontelli & Giovannino de Dolci

It’s not what it looks like from the outside that is important, it’s what is displayed within that counts.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Don’t sit back and plod through your career, get out there and have more confidence to make something of yourself and reach the goal you want in life.

What are your ambitions for the future?

To carry on and build an excellent Webb Yates Birmingham Office that will remain, after i retire, for years to come.

Tell us your favourite (clean) joke?

I can’t stop eating Throat Sweets, Tunes, Tictac’s, Polo Mints etc…I’m worried I might end up in a Menthol Hospital!