Waterman sets up environmental division

Alex Burton, who resigns from the main board to become chairman of the new Waterman Energy, Environment and Design, said clients are increasingly looking for a one-stop-shop for environmental services.

The issue for building services designers is to ensure that their design as a whole delivers financial and environmental results and doesn’t incorporate stand-alone devices simply to satisfy government regulation.

“It’s easier to design a green building politically than it is to have one give a payback in real money and carbon reduction,” he said. “Anyone can stick a wind turbine on their roof. Services designers should ensure that their designs reduce waste and consumption and give an economic payback.”

From 1 July the division will have 250 engineers and scientists, most located in London but many still based in Waterman offices throughout the UK. Waterman has been involved in Bluewater shopping centre in Kent, the new Bull Ring regeneration in Birmingham and White City in London.

Burton, orginally a civil and structural engineer, has been with Waterman for 44 years.