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About Us

Meet the team

Raghbir Chand

Managing Director

BSc Mechanical Engineering (Wolverhampton Polytechnic), MSc Product Engineering (Cranfield University) and MBA (Warwick Business School, Warwick University)

Raghbir's professional career has advanced from technical engineering apprentice , to engineer to consultant to project and team management.

Simon Lewis

Business Director, Engineering Group and Manager ESTL

MEng Mechanical Engineering from University of Leeds

Simon Lewis is a mechanical engineer with many years of experience in mechanisms and tribology, mostly relating to spacecraft. 

Luke Butcher

Business Director, Safety and Risk Management Group

BSc (Hons) Physics from Southampton University

Luke Butcher is a seasoned Safety and Risk Consultant at ESR Technology, bringing over 15 years of experience in onshore and offshore safety and risk studies

Vivek Maripudi

Business Director, NDT and Inspection Consulting Services Group

MSc in Mechanical Engineering (University of Maine, Orono, Maine, USA), MBA from Oakland University, Rochester Hills, Michigan, USA)

Vivek Maripudi is a mechanical engineer with many years of experience in the Automotive, Transportation, Power Energy and Consumer Goods.

Ali Mumtaz

Business Development and Marketing Manager

B.Eng Mechanical Engineering, MA Mechanical Engineering Design

Ali is an experienced and reliable business professional who specialises in business development for our Inspection Consultancy team.

Andrew Gibson

Head of Space Mechanisms, ESR Space

BASc Engineering Science, MSc Atmospheric Physics (University of Toronto)

Andrew Gibson is an experienced leader in the development of long-life mechanisms including extreme environments (cryogenic and lunar).

Chris Proud

Aberdeen Technical Lead

Beng (Hons) Chemical and Process Engineering from Newcastle University

Chris is a Principal Consultant in our Safety and Risk Management group, primarily supporting the offshore energy industry.

Dr Gemma Tickle

Principal Consultant, Safety and Risk Management

PhD Theoretical Physics from University of Liverpool, BSc (Hons) Physics with Astrophysics from University of Birmingham

Gemma Tickle is a Principal Consultant in our Safety and Risk Management group with specialist expertise in gas dispersion and software development.

Dr Michael Buttery

Principal Project Scientist

MSci Astrophysics from University of Liverpool, PhD Engineering from University of Central Lancashire

Michael Buttery is an honest and professional R&D project manager, engineer and scientist, with a demonstrated history of vacuum testing and tribology experience within the space and terrestrial vacuum industries.

Dr Mike Laws CEng

Principal Consultant and Business Development

MPhys Physics University of Warwick, PhD Physics from University of Warwick

Mike Laws is an experienced physicist with over a decade of expertise in Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), specialising in ultrasonics.

Dr Neil Ketchell

Technical Director, Safety and Risk Management Group

BSc (Hons) Pure and Applied Physics from University of Manchester (UMIST), PhD Plasma Physics from University of Manchester (UMIST)

Neil Ketchell has over 30 years experience in risk assessment of fire, explosion and toxic gas issues from major energy installations to small buildings and is an experienced expert witness.

Olly Poyntz-Wright

Senior Mechanisms Engineer and Project Manager

MEng Aerospace Engineering, University of Bath

Olly is an engineer and project manager with two decades of experience working in the space industry, with a focus on supporting space science missions.

Matt Finch

Principal Consultant, Safety and Risk Management

BSc Physics from University of Leicester

Matt is an experienced Safety and Risk consultant who began his career at ESR as a graduate of the Safety and Risk Management Group.

Dr Patricia Conder

Principal Consultant, Inspection Consultancy

Degree: BSc (Hons) Physics from University of Aberdeen, PhD Materials Science University of Birmingham

Trish Conder is a Principal Consultant in our Inspection Consultancy team and has a background in data science, inspection and integrity.

Megan Evans

Marketing Assistant

BA(Hons) Television and Radio Production Degree from University of Salford

As a Marketing Assistant, Megan brings creativity, organisation, and a keen eye for detail to the team. With a passion for branding and digital engagement, Megan assists in campaign development, content creation, and market research.

Mike Anderson

Senior Project Manager

BSc (Hons) Physics of Glasgow University, PhD Physics of Glasgow University

Mike Anderson is a Senior Project Manager in ESTL and manages a diverse group of projects ranging from tribological consultancy support to thermal vacuum testing of components and subassemblies.

Richard Tiffin

Principal Consultant

BSc(hons), Geography / MSc, Environmental Impact Assessment

Richard is a safety and environmental consultant, with a background in Major Accident Hazards, safety and environmental management. He has supported clients, including COMAH facilities, across a range of industry sectors including oil and gas, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, nuclear and the offshore wind energy sector.