OUR TEAM

 Alistair graduated from Edinburgh University in 1985 and became chartered in 1993. He has enjoyed a great variety in his career, with early years spent as a structural design engineer at consultants WA Fairhurst and Partners, amongst other major consultancies in Scotland. This time was followed by several years in project management, predominantly time spent on Ministry of Defence projects. In 2001, a move to Dublin with Jacob allowed him to manage the engineering teams working on the Irish National Roads Authority PFI programme for major roads infrastructure schemes. He returned to Edinburgh in 2005 and led the civil and structural engineering team at WSP on the design for the £300 million Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert. Subsequently, Alistair ascended to the role of Technical Director with responsibility for the structures team in Scotland, overseeing the work on healthcare, education, commercial and residential projects.

In 2014 Alistair set up a practice on his own and, laterally, joined with Richard to form Christie Gillespie Consulting Engineers Ltd which has since grown to 21 staff in the first six years. 

Alistair spends his leisure time with his family, and he enjoys cooking and playing the guitar. He can occasionally be seen gliding not so gracefully around the ice rink at Murrayfield. 

Richard graduated from The University of Edinburgh in 1998, attaining a Bachelor of Engineering Honours Degree in Civil Engineering. He has since gained extensive experience within the Construction industry, predominantly involving the design of buildings and a Civil Engineering infrastructure, within the UK, Europe and The Middle East.

Richard is a Chartered Member of the Institution of Structural Engineers and The Engineering Council, in addition to being a Scottish Building Standards Agency approved SER Building Certifier. Richard oversees the Civil and Structural teams and his responsibilities include all aspects of design from feasibility and scheme stages through to detailed design and site supervision operations. Richards experience includes extensive work within the industrial, healthcare, Power & Transmission residential, transportation, aviation, commercial, local authority and higher education sectors, covering both new-build and refurbishment projects. Richard is also an experienced Forensic Engineer, involved in assisting with disputes resolution. 

In 2015 Richard and Alistair Christie jointly formed Christie Gillespie Consulting Engineers Ltd and have successfully grown the business year on year. The consultancy now provides a wide variety of engineering services and to a growing network of clients and construction industry affiliates.  

When he’s not working, Richard spends his time gardening, DIY-ing or “borrowing” his daughters Lego. You will also regularly find him at Tynecastle Park, where he watches his beloved Heart of Midlothian.