Experience

Bernard qualified with a BSc (Hons) degree in Electrical & Electronic Engineering from Loughborough University of Technology and then spent a period in Industry before joining Burgoynes in 1984. He is a Chartered Engineer and is Member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology and is registered with the European Federation of National Engineering Association (FEANI) as an European Engineer (Eur.Ing).  He was admitted as a Partner in 1990.

Since joining Burgoynes Bernard has been continuously engaged in the investigation of fires, explosions and incidents of electrical failure. Whilst the majority of his work has been associated with the investigation of fire incidents, Bernard’s electrical engineering experience and expertise have been utilised by the Partnership’s insurance and legal clients in a wide range of incidents involving equipment failures, personal injuries and construction losses. The diversity of his investigation assignments involving electrical failures extends to cable failures, high and low voltage switchgear faults, transformer and rotating machine failures, appliance defects and system failures associated with computer and conventional control installations. Since joining Burgoynes he has investigated in excess of 1500 incidents within the UK and abroad, involving both land based and marine installations. The investigations are invariably undertaken in anticipation of litigation and he has been required to present expert evidence in Court and at Arbitrations on numerous occasions.

Following the introduction of the new Civil Procedure Rules in 1999, Bernard has been appointed on several occasions as a Single Joint Expert in accordance with Part 35 of the CPR.