Instructing a Fire Investigator
Tina Bishop – Operations Manager
Tina is in charge of taking instructions and allocating them to relevant personnel. As head of administration, Tina will be your first point of contact as she is best placed to handle general enquiries and provide any information you may require. Tina holds a BEC National Diploma in Business Studies.
Email:tina.bishop@hannaford-forensic.com
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8399 2313
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8390 8184
The Fire Investigation Team
Stephen Magnus-Hannaford FIFireE FAE – Managing Director
After qualifying as a vehicle mechanical engineer, Stephen spent 15 years in the London Fire Brigade where he rose to become Station Officer, then Watch Officer-in-Charge in the Fire Investigation Unit. Private sector fire investigation experience was gained in Europe and the USA before founding Hannaford Forensic.
Stephen has established himself as a specialist in the investigation of vehicle and machinery fires, and appears as an expert witness. He also conducts training seminars on vehicle fire investigation and expert witness topics. Another specialist area is the assessment of fire-fighting procedures and actions, where these might be regarded as having had a detrimental effect upon fire spread or resulted in injury.
Following the Hong Kong Garley building fire in 1996, Stephen was appointed to lead a team of specialists to investigate the cause. Stephen has also given evidence in the High Court of Hong Kong relating to the causes of a fire fighter’s injury.
High profile Court cases include:
- Capco & Digital Equipment -v- John Laing & OTS 1996
- Crown River Cruises -v- Kimbolton Fireworks and LFCDA [1996] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 533
- Chung Chi-wing -v- Hong Kong Department of Justice – 1998
- R -v- Collings 2002 (Newcastle Crown Court – murder by arson)
Stephen is a tutor and registered mediator with the Academy of Experts. He is a Fellow of both the Institution of Fire Engineers and The Academy of Experts. He was elected Chairman of The Academy of Experts for 2003.
Direct dial: +44 (0) 1299 272713
Email:steve.hannaford@hannaford-forensic.com
Dr John Allum BSc PhD MRSC MIExpE – Director
John has a degree in Analytical Chemistry from Plymouth University and a PhD in Emulsion Explosives from the Royal Military College of Science (Cranfield University).
John joined a well known, international forensic investigation company in 2001 and transferred to their Hong Kong office in 2004. During this time he was involved in the investigation of a significant number of fire and explosion incidents, ranging from small domestic premises to large industrial plants. He has also provided advice on the storage and use of damaged explosives and the appropriate use of explosives in wreck removal.
John has investigated a wide variety of marine incidents on ships and yachts, including fires in containers, engine rooms and bulk cargoes. John has also provided advice on ‘live’ ship fires involving cargoes such as coal and agricultural products, and dealt with a number of cargo contamination cases, including taking samples and interpreting analytical results, to identify appropriate methods of cleaning and supervising the clean-up. He has significant experience of agricultural bulk cargo claims, includes determining causes of product deterioration, cargo liquefaction and advice on the carriage and care of the cargo. This work involves supervising surveyors, agricultural scientists and sampling experts, as well as providing reports suitable for use in both local courts and London Arbitrations. Advice has also been provided on IMDG CODE and BC CODE cargoes, including chemical and dangerous cargoes.
Direct dial: +852 2548 0577
Email:john.allum@hfs-asia.com
James Acott MSc MIFireE
James joined us in 2004, completing his MSc in Fire Engineering in 2005. Admitted as a Member of the Institution of Fire Engineers, James now deals with both structural and vehicle/machinery fire claims across the UK. James is also experienced in dealing with matters relating to unusual or unexpected structural fire spread including design noncompliance and ineffective implementation of fire risk procedures.
James completed his National Certificate in Motor Vehicle Engineering in 2007 and has also completed a VOSA bus and coach inspection course.
James has built-up considerable experience in matters of product liability, particularly in respect of domestic and commercial electrical appliances and supply equipment. James has given evidence in both criminal and civil court trials, most recently in 2011 in a high profile murder by arson case (R -v- Zhanje) and has wide experience in preparing CPR compliant reports for civil litigation.
Other high profile incidents that he has investigated include The Royal Marsden Hospital, London; Southend Pier, Essex; Daher Aerospace, Derbyshire.
James is a regular guest speaker to the MSc course in Fire & Explosion Investigation at Leeds University
Direct dial +44 (0) 020 8399 2313
Email:james.acott@hannaford-forensic.com
Luke Collins MEng
Luke joined us in 2009 as a fire investigator specialising in ships, vehicles, plant and machinery. He has an aeronautical engineering Masters degree from Sheffield University, as well as having gained practical engineering experience. Luke has completed a VOSA bus and coach inspection course, and is currently working to complete his Diploma in Marine Investigation at Lloyd’s Academy.
Since joining Hannaford Forensic, Luke has investigated over one hundred and twenty fires involving ship engine rooms, road vehicles of all types, as well as industrial and agricultural machinery from fork lift trucks to combine-harvesters.
Luke has lectured to the MSc course in Fire & Explosion Investigation at Leeds University on the subject of vehicle fires.
Direct dial: +44 (0) 20 8399 2313
Email:luke.collins@hannaford-forensic.com
Nico Zurcher MSc
Nico joins the Hong Kong office with a background as a marine and environmental consultant. He investigates fires and marine incidents, including bulk cargo contaminations and spoilage.
Direct dial: +852 2548 0577
Norman Hinds – Vehicle Fire Investigator
Norman was employed by a major vehicle manufacturer in the UK for over 20 years, specialising in dealing with what they like to term ‘thermal incidents’. He brings a wealth of knowledge about the motor industry and motor engineering to supplement our expertise in the investigation of vehicle fires.
Contact via Surbiton office
Email:norman.hinds@hannaford-forensic.com
Finance and Recruitment
Julie-Anne Rudd – Company Secretary and Finance Manager
Julie is a certified management accountant and holds an honours degree in economics. Julie was previously with ExxonMobile as a credit risk analyst, and now works out of our Presteigne office. Julie is also the first point of contact for careers enquiries.
Direct dial: +44 (0)1299 272713
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