AN expert civil engineer has joined a growing engineering, environmental and planning consultancy to help drive its expansion plans.

Jon Hartley has joined North Wales-based Caulmert as director of engineering services, in an appointment that heralds a restructure at the employee-owned company.

He will take charge of a new-look department combining the consultancy’s geotechnical, civil, and structural services.

Founded in 2009, Caulmert has offices in Bangor and St Asaph, as well as Nottingham, Altrincham, and Maidstone.

Mr Hartley has more than 30 years’ experience in the industry, including being involved in the development of Liverpool’s Alexandra Tower, a 27-storey, 201-apartment block, which forms part of the city’s famous skyline.

He also established the Manchester office of an international engineering consultancy from scratch, which went on to recruit 70 staff and generate more than 10 per cent of the company’s multi-million pound turnover.

He said: “I’m excited to be joining an established business with the opportunity to bring together a highly skilled team of engineers in one integrated department.

“I’ve spent much of my career building up businesses and I am relishing the challenge to support Caulmert with its ambitious objectives to employ 250 professionals.

“My experience will allow me to both mentor and assist the team, whilst merging our engineering services to be seamless and highly efficient for clients.”

Mike Caulfield, managing director at Caulmert, added: “Securing the services of someone as skilled in both business and engineering as Jon is a real accomplishment for Caulmert.

“Having previously worked with some members of our team, his reputation in the industry precedes him and I’m looking forward to seeing the positive effect he’ll have on our new structure.”

Jon started his career as an engineer in 1985, and joined Gifford in 1987, where he worked his way up to become a director and owner.

The firm, whose projects span the UK, from the Hebrides to the Isle of Wight, counts among its clients Willmott Dixon, Stoke City FC, TGI Fridays, Viridor, and Airbus.

Its expertise in a variety of planning, environmental and engineering projects is supported by the use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) processes and modelling to meet PAS1192 level 2.

To find out more information, visit www.caulmert.com