Our Team

Cesar Palomar 

Fire Engineering Consultant. 
Expertise: 
• Resistance to fire and reaction testing. 
• Fireproof product development. 
• Design of resistance to fire solutions. 
• Tunnel fire protection. 
• Fire regulations and fire test standards. 
• CFD – fire modelling. 
• Research and development of fireproof materials. 
• Factory quality control. 


Relevant Qualifications: 
• Degree in Forestry Engineering. 
• Technical Auditor (ENAC Certificate) – EN ISO/IEC 17025:2017. General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. 
• Technical Auditor (ENAC Certificate) – EN ISO/IEC 17065:2012. Conformity assessment. Requirements for bodies certifying products, processes and services. 
 

Experience 
Since 2005, César has worked in the fire protection industry. At the start of his career he was responsible for on-site installation, ensuring compliance with fire regulations. Later César developed his professional work in the R&D departments of fire companies, while also providing technical support for major international projects. During the last five years, César has been actively involved in fire design solutions and product development, as well as conducting indicative tests for large fire companies. He is also a visiting professor for several universities, annually works with MSc students in Fire Safety Engineering and collaborates with the Spanish National Accreditation Body (ENAC) in audits for laboratories 
and certification bodies. 

Martin Dickie

B.Sc., AAFDI, ILM, FDIS (Dip), Fire Door Inspection (Fire Qual)

• Undertaking fire door inspections for timber, steel and composite door systems.

• Assist businesses to develop third-party certification processes and
systems for fire door installation, maintenance and inspection.

• Advice and assist in market development for enhance fire performance building products, specialising in wood panel and cellulous based insulation materials, across Europe and the Middle East.

• Expert witness analysis for non-fire and fire rated door systems and installations.

Jonathan Hogarth

Specialist Consultant – Passive Fire Protection

  • Over 20 years of experience in fire safety, compliance, and passive fire protection

  • Independent consultant since May 2024, delivering:

    • Compartmentation surveys

    • Fire door inspections

    • Passive fire protection audits

  • Works across both new-build and refurbishment projects

  • Supports fire engineers, installers, and responsible persons in achieving compliance

  • Currently finalising UKAS-accredited third-party certification via BlueSky Certification

  • Former roles include:

    • Technical Director at Soundgate Ltd

    • Fire Compliance Manager at Equans (formerly Engie)

    • Project/SHEQ Manager at SBS Ltd

  • Key Qualifications

    • ASFP Level 3 – Passive Fire Protection (IFE Accredited)

    • NEBOSH – Fire & Construction

    • FRA Level 2 – IFSM Accredited

    • ISO 9001 / 14001 / 45001 Auditor (Entry Level)

Paul Shadbolt

CertFDI, DipFD

Over 40 years’ experience specialising in timber fire door assemblies covering manufacture, R&D, compliance, testing and inspection.

 Sales Director at F.R. Shadbolt & Sons Ltd, managed 3rd-party certification and carried out extensive BS 476, BS EN 1634 and BS EN 13501-1 fire testing programmes.

 Qualified as an FDIS Certified Fire Door Inspector after completing FDIS Diploma, transition training, practical and written examinations.

 Director of London Fire Door Consultants Ltd, carrying out comprehensive non-invasive and, if required, invasive FDIS Certified Fire Door Inspections in commercial, residential and heritage buildings.

 Provides technical consultancy, compliance advice and Clerk of Works’ services to Developers, Main Contractors, Project Managers and Building Surveyors.

Cath Mclean

B.Sc. AFA, AIFSM, FCMI

Specialist Consultant - Passive Fire Protection - Glass and Glazing Systems and Doors

Professional Summary

Highly experienced specialist consultant with over 30 years of expertise in glass and glazing products and systems. Provides comprehensive support to clients in the design and fire resistance testing of glazing systems and doors. Offers expert advice on product range development and passive fire resistance training.

Key Expertise

- Passive Fire Protection for Glass and Glazing Systems

- Fire Resistance Testing and Pre-Test Product Sampling

- Fire Door Inspections and Remediation Recommendations

- Site Inspections and Evaluations

- Dispute Resolution through Independent Site Inspections

- Product Range Development and Technical Training

Deg Priest

Deg Priest has been involved with fire testing of building materials since 1977. His career spans a wide range of product development, fire test equipment design and construction, attendance on consensus standards setting organizations and P&L management of fire testing laboratories. Most recently, Deg had worked as a Global Senior Director of Operations for the Building Materials department of Intertek. He was President and one of the founders of Omega Point Laboratories from 1985 to 2005, where he was responsible for the overall testing operations, as well as designing and fabricating fire testing equipment for the company, as well as for clients. Before forming Omega Point Laboratories, Mr. Priest designed, constructed and operated the large fire resistance furnaces for SwRI in San Antonio, Texas. Prior to that, he was a part owner of Commercial Testing Company, where he designed, built and operated numerous pieces of equipment for evaluating flammability, fire resistance and other properties. Deg was the Chairman of ISO TC92 Subcommittee 2 on Fire Containment from 1992 to 2016 and has been active in ASTM Committee E05 since 1977.