Our Team
Sean Daly
As a former part-time firefighter, Sean is our all-action hero. He works hard, he plays hard, he rescues kittens from trees (well, he used to).
Sean is also a Chartered Structural Engineer with two decades of design experience. From a family of builders and engineers, Sean could read drawings and take off quantities from the age of 16.
Driven, energetic and focussed at work, with a particular passion for complex stone staircases, Sean has been a specialist tutor to Oxford Brookes University first-year architecture students.
Outside of work Sean can often be seen ploughing this drive and energy into ensuring that he puts on a good party. These days however, this is balanced out with a spot of Sunday fishing with his son.
Mark Harris
With over 20 years in engineering design, Mark has developed a passion for exciting collaborative design solutions. He offers a bold approach in creative ideas whilst maintaining a careful eye on the detail.
His designs have attracted accolades from the Concrete Society, the steel industry, the Institute of Structural Engineers, the Institute of Civil Engineers, the Civic Society and the Oxford Preservation Trust.
Mark’s other big passion is french antiques. He regularly drags his three boys around brocantes while on holiday in France, searching for "junk" as they put it...
Daljit Matharu
Those on the IstructE's Thames Valley Regional Group technical meeting circuit will already be familiar with Associate Structural Engineer Daljit's vast knowledge of and enthusiasm for structural engineering.
As professional review interviewer, Daljit plays a key part in helping young engineers achieve chartered status.
When not designing very large concrete tanks such as the 30m DIA foul balancing tank at Blanchardstown or mentoring young engineers, Daljit enjoys getting close to nature during daily walks along the River Thames or longer walks on the South West's coastal path. A spot of formula one watching delivers a kick of adrenaline every now and again!
Gill Sherwood
Senior principal structural engineer Gill's path crossed with SOLID director Mark Harris's at Bath University, then at Atkins and Young & Webb. It seems she was always destined to become part of the SOLID team!
Gill is enthusiastic about working with alternative structural materials such as structural glazing and tensile structures. So much so that she was regarded as the technical authority on those in a previous role.
When Gill is not working, she enjoys getting out and about and staying active by playing hockey and running. Being goal oriented, she aimed to run 1,000 kilometre in a year. Instead she did 1,000 miles. Our very own Forrest Gump!
Tom Roberts
Chartered engineer Tom's approach has been described as bold and ballsey; but pragmatic and restrained in terms of complexity and cost. He 'gets' design ambition and adds to it (any architect's dream!).
Add to this his extensive on-site experience as a clerk of works and projects completed in the Leisure, Workplace, Residential and Heritage sectors, and you have a very well rounded structural engineer.
Tom enjoys being active and has competed in the lightweight boat race for Oxford University, both in the annual varsity race and internationally in China along with counterparts from Harvard, Yale and Princeton. Anything but lightweight, we say!
Alex Harris
When not at work, cycling features heavily in Alex's life. He even chose to go to The University of Sheffield because of the cyclist utopia that is the Peak District right on its doorstep!
Covering great distances in the saddle holds little challenge to him with a recent bike packing trip all the way down to Nice, through the heart of the French alps, completed in just two weeks.
When not cycling, Alex likes to take his West Highland Terrier on long walks. In Scotland. Of course!
Alex enjoys the variety of work he is exposed to here at SOLID. What really excites him however, are heritage and conservation projects. Developing solutions conforming to modern standards yet remaining sensitive to the historical significance.
Richard Young
Not only is Richard a master baker of Star Wars cakes, he is also a senior CAD technician with more than 20 years’ experience.
Building on his extensive knowledge of BIM, Richard produces 3D models using Tekla Structures, Allplan Engineering and Revit.
He likes to travel whenever he can – whether on his bike to see his favourite bands, with his wife on the Trans-Siberian railway or in his inflatable canoe, Colin. He once went to Mongolia to milk a yak (and travel, apparently).
Sebastian Rogalski
We have imported engineering technician Sebastian all the way from Cape Town, South Africa. Sebastian is a good all rounder, working on civil and structural projects although civil projects are his passion.
Although (slightly!) colder than sunny South Africa, Sebastian enjoys life in the UK and is looking forward to watching live music shows like his favourite band, Kings of Leon at the O2 arena next year. Seeing the Springboks play Wales at Cardiff Millennium Stadium was a highlight of his year so far. The score isn’t up for discussion. Ever.
Kim Murray
With an eagle eye for detail, Kim’s joined the team as our lovely Finance Manager. Well, lovely if you tow the line and keep your time sheets up to date. She’s another keen runner and is often seen pounding the local roads and tracks training for her next charity run.
Before joining SOLID, she ran her 350 acre family farm for 10 years - managing the solar park, all the residential and commercial lettings and 75,000 chickens! And before farm life, she studied at the London College of Fashion and then was a mould maker for sculptors.
A Farmer/Finance Manager/Fashionista - a pretty eclectic mix to add to the SOLID crew!
Elham Rafiei
Meet Elham, our brilliant new recruit! She kicked off her career with a Master’s in Civil Engineering, specialising in Earthquake Engineering. Then she put her skills to work in her home country, Iran, as a structural engineer and construction inspector, gaining lots of hands-on experience.
Just before the pandemic, Elham decided it was time for a new challenge and moved to the UK to take on a second Master’s in Sustainable Building Technology. After 15 months of commuting between Oxford and Twickenham (talk about dedication!), she’s now landed at SOLID and we’re thrilled to have her on the team.
When she’s not engineering, Elham dives into her other passion: art. She creates stunning portraits of people and pets using oils, pastels, and charcoal. For Elham, making art brings balance and endless inspiration.
Bianca Ivascu
A SOLID welcome to Bianca. Hailing from Romania, Bianca moved to the UK just last summer, and we are thrilled to have her here! Having always had a passion for buildings, she originally considered a career in Architecture, but it was engineering that eventually won Bianca over.
When asked what she loves most about the job, Bianca replies, ‘it’s versatility – no two days are the same. I love working in a wide range of sectors, watching a project develop on site and then seeing people enjoy the building once the project is over.’
When not at work, Bianca challenges herself by heading to the gym. She loves all sports including tennis and badminton, but swimming is her favourite. Once a competitive swimmer, now Bianca heads to the pool to relax after a busy day in the office.