Who we are
Meet our Team
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Simon Finn
CHARTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
Simon has over twenty six years’ experience in structural engineering, initially starting his journey designing structures for the water industry, then moving into the world of buildings. Simon has led multidisciplinary design teams on large projects ranging from schools and hospitals to casinos and retail, with specialist in depth experience in using steel framing.
Simon relocated to New Zealand where he has developed a passion for forensic assessment of earthquake damaged structures and has quickly become one of New Zealand’s leading experts in this field. This specialist expertise has now expanded to providing expert witness services on litigated claims relating to many different structural issues from design flaws to construction failures, across New Zealand. This expertise has been recently recognised with Simon winning the Engineering NZ Presidents Gold Medal Award in 2022 and more recently achieving Fellow status with Engineering NZ in 2023.
In his spare time Simon loves building models with his kids and, being a child of the 80’s he is also a keen gamer.
P: 021 841 810
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Dean McCabe
SENIOR STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
Dean brings over 30 years of experience to FCEL having worked in a number of different Christchurch based consultancies providing structural and geotechnical services.
Dean is one of a handful of dual chartered engineers and has held CPEng status in both structural and geotechnical engineering for many years and this has proved invaluable time and time again on projects having this experience cross over.
Dean has designed structures using many different materials with particular strengths in low rise buildings including hill site structures and retaining walls .
In his spare time Dean can be found at his local golf course and also enjoys working on his motorbike and mountain biking . FCEL are fortunate to have Dean on board to expand our capacity and capabilities.
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Lachlan Howat
SENIOR STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
Lachlan has recently joined FCEL and brings with him a wide range of experience gathered throughout New Zealand and the Pacific Islands while working within both large and small Christchurch based consultancies.
He is passionate about delivering “best-for-project” outcomes by developing a collaborative approach between clients, architects, builders, and other services.
Lachlan also enjoys basketball, live music and working on projects around the house which he and his wife recently purchased, relevelled, and repaired.
P: 027 213 1355
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Brittany Gordon
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER / STRUCTURAL TECHNICIAN
Brittany joined FCEL in 2022 as our Structural Technician. Her career started off as an Architectural Graduate and she then became an Architectural Designer after receiving her LBP Design Licence in 2017. Prior to joining the FCEL team, Brittany spent 10 years working for Maiden Construction.
She is responsible for delivering and maintaining the quality of our drawing output - no job is too big or too small.
Brittany loves spending time with her family and being out in the garden.
P: 027 914 3377
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Shona Southwick
OFFICE MANAGER
Shona joined FCEL in 2023, she brings with her experience in Project Management, Financial Accounting and Process Improvement. Before joining the FCEL team, Shona spent most of her career in various Government agencies, including the Christchurch High Court..
Shona is responsible for the day to day running of the office, project coordination, financial accounting and HR.
Since moving from Scotland, Shona enjoys getting out and about seeing New Zealand. She also enjoys spending time with her dog and catching up with friends.
P: 027 204 4389