We’re delighted to have won the HSBC Innovation Award in recognition of our innovative engineering work in the field of RAAC repair! The award may have been for our work in RAAC repair, but it reflects something that’s part of our day-to-day approach as engineers: Understanding the problem properly and working out the best way […]
18
May
May
We were incredibly proud to celebrate our Managing Director, John Staves, receiving the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award 2026 from the Institution of Structural Engineers. The Lifetime achievement award recognised individuals who had made an exceptional contribution to the structural engineering profession throughout their career and represented one of the Institution’s highest honours. John was formally […]
13
May
May
The crack in the wall wasn’t actually the problem. The ground disappearing beneath the building was. Our investigation identified a likely link between the drainage system and the movement we were seeing. The site sits on sand and gravel over chalk bedrock, conditions that can become problematic when drains leak over long periods of time. […]
01
Apr
Apr
RAAC Repair Winning the Innovation Award at the HSBC / FSB Small Business Growth Awards last night was a proud moment for our team but more importantly, it reflects the growing need to solve a very real and pressing challenge across the UK: RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete). RAAC has become a significant concern in […]
31
Mar
Mar
Following recent decisions by some Building Control authorities to introduce a blanket ban on approving screw pile foundations, it’s a timely moment to pause and examine what’s really going on. In a recent discussion with John Staves, Chartered Structural Engineer and the UK’s screw pile specialist, one thing became immediately clear: Building Control concerns are […]
30
Mar
Mar
Ground Screws vs Helical Piles Ground Screws Ground screws are often marketed as an alternative to traditional concrete foundations and in some situations, they’re a perfectly reasonable choice. But it’s worth being clear about what they are from an engineering point of view. There is usually: Limited or no project-specific design No verification of load […]
08
Dec
Dec
Every successful engineering practice has a few people who keep everything running smoothly in the background, people who quietly hold the whole operation together while the rest of us are out on site, solving problems, and meeting clients. For us, that person is Leigh-Ann. This year marks 10 years since she joined our team, and […]
04
Dec
Dec
Temporary Works When we were approached by the team working on a Grade II listed pub, the project already had a structural engineer overseeing the permanent works design. But there was one problem; no one wanted to take on the temporary works. For a building with such significant heritage value and real constraints on what […]
01
Dec
Dec
Celebrating Special Moments in Our Team At Michael Aubrey, we love celebrating not just the work we do, but the people who make it all happen. This month, we’re delighted to share two pieces of happy news from within our team. First up, Josh, one of our talented Structural Engineers, has celebrated a milestone birthday, […]
23
Nov
Nov
Link Visiting Christmas Appeal At Michael Aubrey Barrow we’ve always believed in the power of community and in the difference that simple acts of kindness can make. This year, we’re proud to support Link Visiting and their annual Christmas Appeal, a campaign that brings comfort and companionship to people who may otherwise spend the festive […]
17
Nov
Nov
This year’s Structural Awards from The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) once again brought together the brightest and most visionary structural engineering projects from around the globe – and John Staves, our Managing Director was delighted to attend in his role as Chair of IStructE Limited. A spotlight on excellence The 2025 shortlist encompasses 34 […]
19
Sep
Sep
Have you ever passed by someone on the street without realising they quietly changed the world? This week, we had the chance to spend an evening with just such a person. You might not recognise his face, but his invention touches your life every single day. I’m talking about Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the man who […]