Background and industry experience
David joined MEC in 2019 and heads up the geo-environmental team. He delivers geotechnical expertise, ground investigations, contaminated land assessments, and remediation and validation services to our clients. David has always been an Engineering Geologist and has been in the industry for 44 years.
David studied at Bedford College at the University of London and has been Chartered for 20 years. David has particular expertise within the fields of shallow mining instability, earthworks, ground improvement, and foundation and floor slab design, in addition to a broad knowledge of ground investigation techniques and methodologies to British Standards. David is passionate about geology and has broad knowledge of the geology and associated ground conditions across the UK.
David works primarily within the residential sector, which he has extensive experience in, but has also worked within the retail, commercial, energy, infrastructure, and industrial sectors.
David noted that he is particularly proud of being a part of the following projects – “supervising engineer on the Skelmersdale to Warburton pipeline investigation, supervising engineer on the A14 Leadenham by-pass ground investigation, Investigations to locate of the order of 100 mine shafts and bell pits on a site in Dudley, Project Management for ground investigation of the order of 50 Lidl store development sites across the south of England and Wales, Various projects with Taylor Wimpey across the Midlands where I have critically reviewed foundation designs for a number of projects leading to significant financial savings for the Client”.
Outside of work, David plays Golf (poorly), tinkers on the piano (very poorly), learns languages (currently French but recently made the mistake of trying Welsh) and goes for regular walks with his pooch. David added that he’s going to have to retire soon, but isn’t looking forward to it!
About me
What is your favourite holiday destination?
That would be anywhere in the UK where my wife and I can take the dog for walks on the beach. I would love to go somewhere to see the northern lights, visit the Grand Canyon (typical geologist!!) and go somewhere that I can see the Milky Way in all of its glory.
What is your favourite film?
That has to be The Full Monty although I would include anything Star Wars.
What is your favourite thing to do at the weekend?
Play Golf and walk the dog.
What is your favourite sport to follow?
Football without a doubt, closely followed by Golf but I will watch any sport.
If you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
That we be the Lasagne prepared by my wife, Collette (not by anyone else!)
Contact: david.torrance@m-ec.co.uk