John is a highly experienced fire investigator who has provided expert testimony in fatal accident inquiries in both criminal and civil Courts. His work has seen him accepted as an expert in the US. 

He has a 45-year career in the fire industry, joining Strathclyde Fire Brigade in 1979, he saw 31 years’ service during which he gained experience, amongst other roles, as an operational firefighter, incident commander and training officer and full-time fire investigator. 

During his service, John delivered training on STCW,  basic and advanced firefighting, and Command and control to ship’s crew and officers using a live fire environment. 

 Following his departure from service, John joined a Forensic investigation company undertaking investigations on land across a wide spectrum of industrial, commercial, residential and transport risks. John contributed regularly to company publications and was published in Maritime Logistics Professional & Maritime Reporter and Engineering News. During this period, John was part of the team that analysed evidence and reported to the Coroner during the Stardust Fire Inquest.  As part of this process, he provided written testimony on the fire service response. 

 John is also a highly experienced marine fire expert and has given expert testimony and advice as lead investigator in many high-profile cases. He has been engaged as either an origin and cause expert, or a firefighting expert and on some occasions as both. He has undertaken investigations on behalf of underwriters, charterers, cargo interests and salvors involving a variety of vessels including, container ships, Ro-Pax, PCTC, and cruise ships and tankers. 

 John was invited to participate as a member of the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) Expert Group on Containership Fire Safety.  He was also part of the CINS Technical Advisory Committee (CINS -TAC) on Fire and Safety, which developed advice and guidance to the maritime sector on the issues surrounding the carriage and emergency response to Lithium-ion batteries. 

 John joined Hawkins Associates in August of 2024 and continues to provide forensics services to a wide range of clients in the Global maritime sector.