David Stainsby CEng MIMechE MCIBSE

CASE STUDY

Education and qualifications: BSc (Hons) in Building

Services Engineering; BTEC Diploma in Building Services
Engineering; Apprentice HVCA as a Building Services
Design Technician
Which Institutions are you a member of? Member of the
Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE); Founder
Member of Society of Light & Lighting; Member of the
Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE)
Current job title: Senior Mechanical Engineer & Deputy
Senior Authorising Authority (Mechanical)
Company: Ministry of Defence (MOD): Defence
Infrastructure Organisation (DIO)
Length in current job: 4 years
Approximately how many people are employed by your
company? > 1000
Where are you based? Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham
Please describe your current role:
Im currently looking at the potential impact on the MOD
of regulatory non-compliance. Im looking too at the
potential for a combined effort with NHS Estates for our
safe systems of work functions. Im also part of study
group on MOD policy for reviewing, revising and
supporting our own technical publications. In addition, I
am responsible for the assessment and review of
professional Authorising Engineers for mechanical
systems and monitoring the statutory compliance of
maintenance organisations on the MOD estate.
I am a subject matter expert for mechanical
engineering (including lighting) and safe systems of
work, including: pressure systems, low, medium and
high temperature hot water systems (LTHW, MTHW
and HTHW), steam systems, medical gas pipelines,
dental air and vacuum systems, gas installations, and
refrigerant systems. I support construction project
teams and provide advice to facility managers.
Please provide a brief outline of your career so far:
I began my career with a four year apprenticeship
within an HVAC design office called Town & Country
Mechanical Heating (Towco) Ltd. Having worked in all
of the offices departments, I assisted with the
development of the maintenance and small works
division.
This apprenticeship became a platform for my career
working for a range of building services engineering
firms, such as Matthew Hall and Sulzer Infra, in which I

Created January 2015

worked in site engineer, contract management and

consultant positions. Through these varied roles, I
have gained experience of small, but expensive,
domestic and commercial installations and
maintenance as well as major project work, including
Canary Wharf and a hotel in Barcelonas Olympic
Village.
Since 1994, I have worked within the MOD where I
began as an Established Works Consultant (EWC)
within the Property Services Agency (now known as
Unicorn Consultancy). During this time I also studied
for my BSc (Hons) in Building Services Engineering at
the South Bank University in London. In 2001, I moved
into an Estates Advisor role for the Defence Estates
(DE) in Aldershot where I mainly ran capital
construction projects for MOD clients, each up to a
value of 5m. I was then transferred to DEs Plymouth
office as a Project Manager where I delivered a number
of high profile and award winning projects. In 2010, I
moved to DEs head office in Birmingham, as they
became known as the DIO, to work in the Mechanical
and Fuels Infrastructure section of the Professional and
Technical Services team where I provide specialist
knowledge for the MODs large and complex
mechanical systems whilst auditing the contractors
responsible for the maintenance of the military estate.

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CASE STUDY
Have you worked on any unusual or high profile
projects?
I managed a team to deliver a number of high profile
construction projects for service personnel. Two of the
projects won awards in 2010: the Institution of Civil
Engineers Major Project Award for a flood defence
scheme in Devon and two Ministerial Awards for
Procurement (one for Sustainability and one for
Excellence) for a medical, dental and physiotherapy
unit, also in Devon.
What attracted you to become registered as a
CEng?
When I joined this part of the MOD in September 2010,
it was made a condition of my employment that I
gained Chartered Engineer status with the Engineering
Council and Membership with IMechE. Having already
been registered as an EngTech with CIBSE, I
recognised the value of professional registration, and
was therefore well prepared to go through the process.
What advice would you give someone considering
professional registration as a CEng?
You may be eligible for the CEng registration with the
existing experience from your present and previous
roles. Professional registration encourages you to
evaluate your career direction and medium to long term
goals. It provided me with the impetus to continue and
develop in my career, working to be the best that I can
be a similar feeling to when I gained my degree.

Do you hold any other academic/professional

qualifications?
Besides my apprenticeship, BTEC Diploma and
Degree, I have a range of supplementary qualifications
across a diverse range of subjects, from Health and
Safety for Line Managers to Contract Law for
Engineers.
What are your future goals?
Having recently overseen a successful summer
placement for a final year student, I hope to continue
finding placements for engineering graduates and
trainees within the DIO. Furthermore, I would like to
become more involved in the work that IMechE and
CIBSE are doing to encourage engineering in schools.
What is your employers attitude towards
professional registration?
It is compulsory at my level and in my role.
Were they supportive whilst you were working
towards professional registration as a CEng?
They were very supportive whilst I was working
towards professional registration.
How does your employer benefit from you being
professionally registered as a CEng?
It enhances my credibility as an individual as well as
that of the MOD as an organisation.
David Stainsby CEng MIMechE MCIBSE
Registered: 2012

Created January 2015

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