Our Team

Jon set up GPCL in 2014 and has over 40 years’ experience in a range of geotechnical and geo-environmental projects across a range of sectors and sizes. Jon has developed his expertise in foundations, slope stability, earthworks, retaining structures and ground characterisation on technically challenging projects in the UK and overseas. Jon’s experience includes the remediation of the Avenue Coking Works in Chesterfield, one of the most challenging and complex regeneration projects in the UK. Jon was recently co-author of CIRIA Report C773 “A guide to small brownfield sites and land contamination”, aimed primarily at small developers and their advisors.

In his spare time Jon enjoys cycling and walking, is a keen amateur photographer, loves listening to music, both live and recorded and reads lots of fiction.

Jane joined GPCL in Spring 2023 as a Principal Geotechnical Engineer and was more recently promoted to Associate. With 20 years’ experience, she specialises in slope stability, earthworks design and remediation, ground improvement design, and earthworks asset management. Jane has provided technical leadership on major UK highways and rail infrastructure schemes, acting as the client interface, supervising large-scale ground investigations, and contributing technical expertise within multidisciplinary project teams.

Outside of work Jane enjoys a volunteer role as a netball coach, gardening (pottering really), live music and getting outside for a good ramble in the peaks/ lakes.

Ben recently joined GPCL in Winter 2025 as a Principal Geotechnical Engineer with 21 years of industry experience, predominantly within the UK water industry. Ben has worked for many of the UK water companies, with vast experience in the design of clean and wastewater treatment and infrastructure, as well as the assessment of dams and reservoirs.

Experience covers a variety of work from small scale to multi-million-pound projects, involving deep excavations, embankments, earthworks, shallow foundations, piles, soil structure interaction, slope stability, retaining walls, temporary and permanent dewatering, tunnels and shafts. Ben has worked extensively within the dams and reservoir sector, undertaking ground investigations, embankment stability analysis and assessments for the risk of internal erosion.

Ben has experience in the project management of geotechnical engineering and soil / rock testing in various industry sectors in all project stages, through desk studies, site reconnaissance, site investigation, interpretation, design, procurement, tender preparation, ground assessment and construction support.

Outside of work, Ben is kept busy with his three children, dog and cat and when not doing DIY on his house, he enjoys watching Altrincham FC, listening to music, walking and going away in his caravan.

Cathy joined GPCL in Feburary 2026, and previously spent over 25 years working in the public sector, largely based in Manchester City Region. Her background is in policy and strategy development and she has worked on development of a number of key strategies, including the Greater Manchester Strategy 2021-31 and Greater Manchester Prosperity Review.

Through her roles she has developed excellent project management and organizational skills with a keen eye for attention to detail which she utilizes in her role as Office Manager.

Outside of work, Cathy is a keen artist with a particular focus on animal portraits. She also enjoys going to the gym and long walks with her family and dog, Buddy.

Sam joined GPCL in 2020 and has experience in geotechnical engineering and design across a range of projects. He has worked across the commercial, water, energy, transport, and residential sectors, preparing Geotechnical Interpretative Reports (GIRs), Ground Investigation Factual Reports (GFRs), Geotechnical Design Reports (GDRs), slope stability and settlement assessments, earthworks designs, and Basement Impact Assessments (BIAs).

Outside of work Sam enjoys going to the gym, is a keen footballer and a man city season ticket holder.

Peter joined GPCL in 2024 as a Senior Geo-environmental Engineer and has over ten years’ experience in the ground engineering and construction sector, both in the UK and overseas. He has worked on a wide range of ground engineering and environmental projects, from preliminary desk studies through to complex multi-phase ground investigations across both greenfield and brownfield sites. In his role at GPCL, Peter works closely with clients to understand project requirements, interpret ground investigation data, and provide practical advice to support the successful delivery of development projects.

Peter holds an MGeol in Geology from the University of Leicester and an MSc in Engineering Geology from the University of Leeds. He is a Member of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (MIMMM) and a Fellow of the Geological Society (FGS).

Outside of work Peter enjoys reading, hiking, baking and visiting museums.

Bethan joined GPCL in 2024 after attending both The University of Manchester, UK and The University of Vermont, USA, graduating with an MEarthSci in Earth Science. Since joining GPCL, Bethan has been involved in Phase 1 and Phase 2 reporting, geotechnical modelling and completing various site visits across the country. Bethan is currently working towards her MSc in Geotechnical Engineering through the degree apprenticeship scheme at the University of Birmingham.

Outside of work, Bethan enjoys playing Roller Derby for Rainy City Allstars and cuddling her cat, Mayo.

Larissa joined GPCL in 2021 after graduating with an MSc in Engineering Geology at Leeds. The MSc project Larissa completed compared the use of in-situ testing and laboratory testing methods to determine geotechnical strength and stiffness parameters. Since starting in this role Larissa has experience in preparing reports for a range of sectors including energy, industrial, logistics, and planning authorities.

Outside of work, Lara is a full time parent who also enjoys creative projects and video games on the side.

Dan joined GPCL in 2025 after completing his integrated masters in Earth & Planetary Science at the University of Manchester. Dan’s extended projects focussed on the interpretation and analysis of lunar geology, and how it can better inform our understanding of geological processes both on Earth and elsewhere in the Solar System.

Outside of work, Dan is a big lover of film, doing his best to watch at least one movie a day, and enjoys getting out for walks through the city or into the peaks.