Alastair Sutherland - Senior Engineer

Alastair joined the Christie Gillespie team in July 2018 as a senior engineer after completing 7 years as a project engineer at the local consultancy in Edinburgh. Since graduating in 2010, Alastair has developed his skills gained from his master's degree at Edinburgh and honed these to become a valued member of the office team and a vital component of the design team in approximately 600 projects since starting in August 2011. 

Alastair prides himself on having an excellent relationship with clients, architects, timber frame and steel fabricators and every member of the design team, also enjoying helping to train new graduate engineers to develop their skills and expand their knowledge of the industry. 

Alastair enjoys being part of the projects from the earliest stages; arranging initial site visits and investigations, carrying out fee proposals and scheme designs, liaising with SEPA and Scottish Water in gaining drainage approvals, carrying out full detailed economical designs. Additionally, Alastair enjoys working closely with office technicians to provide highly effective AutoCAD general arrangement drawings and details used for achieving building warrant and construction. 

Away from the office, Alastair is involved in his local church, Chambers Memorial in Port Seton, and plays acoustic guitar as part of the praise band; performing at the early morning family services and occasional contemporary praise evenings. He also enjoys going to live sporting events such as football and rugby, as well as rock concerts, including most recently going to see Metallica at Twickenham in 2019. 

E: alastair@christiegillespie.com

T: 07927 095605

Brian joined the expanding Christie Gillespie team in 2021. Brian graduated from the University of Dundee in 2005 with an MEng in Civil Engineering, Design and Management. After leaving University he has gained a wide variety of technical design experience in both the onshore building structures and offshore oil and gas sectors. 

Brian has gained extensive experience in the conceptual and detailed design of steel, concrete, timber, masonry and glass structures in the residential, commercial, healthcare, education, industrial and hospitality sectors. He particularly relishes the challenge of converting, restoring and modifying existing buildings, particularly those of historical interest. Brian prides himself on his ability to liaise with design and site teams to develop bespoke and innovative design solutions. This experience has allowed him to become a chartered member of the Institute of Civil Engineers in 2014, and subsequently, an SER Approved Certifier of Design in 2020. 

Away from work, Brian likes to remain active; enjoying the gym, hill walking and more than the odd round of golf. He has a season ticket at Murrayfield and loves a day out supporting Scotland in the 6 Nations.

E: brian@christiegillespie.com

T: 07706 356981

Claire joined the Christie Gillespie team in 2022. After obtaining industry standard qualifications in Business Administration, Claire developed her skills as a support and admin specialist. She built up a successful career and gained a wealth of experience working in a variety of different sectors, both private and public. This included the Royal Mail, Network Rail and leading counselling services. 

Throughout her career, Claire has been able to demonstrate her expertise in administration, including travel, diary, event and office management. Her attention to detail and ability to communicate at all level allows her to offer exceptional support, as well as forge lasting business relationships. 

Claire also established her own Inventory Management company covering multiple counties in the south of England, servicing prominent letting agencies and private rentals. And most recently her own Virtual Assistant business. Not only was she able to utilise her expert administration and communication skills but developed a keen understanding of business. 

In her free time, Claire loves spending time with her family at home and abroad. She has 3 children that she regularly cheers on at gymnastics, dancing and football. She enjoys cooking but equally eating out and trying different cuisines.

E: claire@christiegillespie.com

T: 01592 873892

Dean began his career in the engineering industry when he joined the CGE team in November 2017 as an apprentice technician. Now, three years into a 4-year Engineering course at Edinburgh College, he recently achieved his NC Civil Engineering qualification and has begun working towards the HNC. Dean continues to progress with his education and professional development and plans to attend university in the future.

Dean is an integral part of the Technical team at CGE, collaborating with fellow technicians and engineers to deliver bespoke structural designs to our clients. Three years with Christie Gillespie has provided Dean with a wealth of knowledge about structures and the engineering industry as a whole while also providing him with a solid foundation upon which he can build (excuse the pun) and further develop his career in the field.

In his spare time, Dean can be found playing football for a local amateur team, walking the dogs or socialising with friends and family. 

E: dean@christiegillespie.com

T: 0131 285 8261

Having graduated with a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Edinburgh Napier University in 2015, Gordon joined Christie Gillespie the following June as a graduate Engineer. In his current role as a Project Engineer, Gordon is responsible for all aspects of a project’s life cycle. Throughout his time at Christie Gillespie, Gordon has gained valuable experience on a wide range of projects including new builds and extensions to domestic properties as well as on larger industrial and commercial projects.

Away from the office, Gordon has deepened his designing experience; helping construct several family projects, including their current alterations extending a 1900's cottage.

After finally having completed the renovation of his flat, Gordon revels in the results of his handiwork; relaxing at the weekends at home in front of the TV or cooking up a feast in the kitchen. 

E: gordon@christiegillespie.com

T: 07716 930826

Beginning his career in 1998 with his first tasks including using a drawing board and checking emails once per day for the entire office. Over the next 20+ years in the industry Graeme has achieved an HNC in Civil Engineering at Telford College, and has gained experience in a variety of draughting packages including AutoCAD, modelling packages such as 3D+ and then 12 years experience with Revit, and is hoping to further his 3D modelling knowledge by looking into visualisation and presentation aspects.

Graeme has Worked on wide variety of projects from house alterations and new bespoke house builds; refurbishment of historical buildings; a range of retail units from multioccupancy portal sheds to large steelwork frames on stilts and eco-stores in glulam timber for a well known grocery supermarket; and most recently new build school campuses in Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, & Highland Councils. The latter of which had increasing BIM requirements for co-ordination and document management, as well as introducing Passivehaus design philosophy. Having joined Christie Gillespie in March 2022, Graeme is looking to share this experience to bolster the draughting teams knowledge base and assist in providing the best possible service.

Outside of work and when not doing DIY tasks given by his wife and looking after his 2 young boys, Graeme enjoys making and painting scale models & wargames miniatures; playing bass guitar and slowly learning to play guitar; and for really good behaviour a ride out on his motorbike. 

E: graeme@christiegillespie.com

T: 07568 751435

Kevin is a self-motivated individual, with a high degree of commitment and professionalism to all jobs undertaken. He has been working in the civil engineering industry for the best part of 30 years, gaining comprehensive expertise in the design and detailing of steel, concrete, masonry and timber structures. The range of civil engineering works Kevin has undertaken include roads, drainage and hydro schemes.

In his spare time, Kevin enjoys a round of golf or a brisk highland walk with family and friends and socialising down the local pub. 

E: kevin@christiegillespie.com

T: 07566 799544

Working from our Musselburgh Office since 2016, Kirsty is our CAD Manager. Kirsty is HNC Eng Tech qualified with 15+ years' experience covering all aspects of Civil and Structural Engineering working on many diverse projects ranging from minor domestic works to large scale refurbishments of Grade A listed buildings and new highway infrastructure in Qatar. 

Before joining Christie Gillespie, Kirsty gained a wide range of experience working for global Engineering consultancies, and she uses this experience to help develop the business brand through attention to detail in her role and in the work of the CAD team she oversees. As well as Kirsty's workload, she is responsible for the day to day management of the CAD team; dealing with both drawing production standards and workload management within the office.

Away from work, Kirsty's main interests are football, food and travel, often combining the latter. However, more often now, her time is spent running about after her children, enjoying the fun of raising a young family and spending time at the gym.  

E: kirsty@christiegillespie.com

T: 0131 285 8261

Laura joined Christie Gillespie as Business Support Manager in early 2016. Laura has a wide range of experience with a proven track record in providing efficient secretarial and admin services spanning over 16 years in both the public and the private sector. 

Laura deals with the day to day running of the office from general administration duties to finance management and supporting CGE directors with aspects of business development. Additionally, Laura manages the CGE admin team; coordinating secretarial duties and offering support, guidance and leadership.

In her spare time, Laura loves holidaying, spending time with her family, eating out and socialising with friends.  

E: laura@christiegillespie.com

T: 0131 285 8261

Sarah joined Christie Gillespie as a Structural Technician in January 2024. Sarah was self employed for 14 years where she provided a technical drawing service to various civil and structural engineers in the Dundee area. Sarah previously worked in Edinburgh for 7 years firstly for Halcrow Group where she was involved in a number of large scale projects which included steel framed office buildings at Edinburgh Business Park, hotel extension for Dalmahoy Country Club and the redevelopment of The Edinburgh Corn Exchange to a leisure complex. Working on these projects Sarah gained invaluable experience in the detailing of steel structures, concrete reinforcement, traditional builds and refurbishments. 

Sarah also worked for Haddows in Edinburgh where she was principal technician responsible for all Cala Homes developments which ranged from new builds to the conversion of the former site of Edinburgh City Hospital into luxury apartments

Having been in the industry for nearly 30 years Sarah has gained a vast amount of experience while working on civil and structural projects in both the private and public sector. While working for Dundee City Council Sarah was responsible for carrying out an external visual inspection of all council owned properties excluding schools and housing and creating a database which recorded the structural condition of all properties.

E: sarah@christiegillespie.com

T: 01382 213945

With an extensive career spanning the vast landscape of the Construction Industry, Shane brings a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to every project he undertakes. His expertise covers a wide spectrum of construction techniques, with a remarkable ability to seamlessly transition between on-site execution and the intricacies of design.

Shane's journey in the Construction Industry has been nothing short of remarkable. His skills and proficiency encompass every facet of the construction process, beginning from the initial scheme stages and extending through to meticulous detailed design, efficient project delivery, and vigilant site supervision.

Throughout his career, Shane has played pivotal roles in an array of captivating projects, both on domestic and international fronts. His portfolio boasts a diverse range of sectors, including educational, residential, commercial, rail, and healthcare. Whether it's breathing life into new-build marvels or orchestrating the transformation of historical structures through refurbishment, Shane's commitment to excellence remains unwavering 

E: shane@christiegillespie.com

T: 07927 095603

Tony joined an expanding Christie Gillespie team in 2022. Tony graduated from the Heriot Watt University 2011 with a MEng in Structural Engineering. After leaving University he has gained a wide variety of technical design, practical site experience and discipline leadership roles across multiple sectors, including oil and gas, traditional building structures and the rail industry.
 

Tony has gained extensive experience in the conceptual and detailed design of steel, concrete, timber, masonry and glazing within the context of residential, commercial, hospitality, education and industrial sectors. His experience allows a balanced and pragmatic approach to engineering and he has a proven record of comfortably managing and executing complex technical projects to demanding internal and external client deadlines. He prides himself on being a pragmatic engineer and real people person who actively takes a supportive role in developing the next generation of graduates and engineers.

Away from work, Tony loves to spend time with his young family, enjoys taking his Scottish terrier Dunlop on varied walks and following the 6 Nation’s matches with friends.

E: tony@christiegillespie.com

T: 07706 356987