Meet the people – Nick Dumbarton (Assessment Manager)

In the latest in our ‘meet the people’ series, UKAS looks at the people behind the UK’s accreditation body. Today we meet Nick Dumbarton, an Assessment Manager for the Engineering, Construction and Physics (ECAP) Section.

What is your area of expertise?

Materials testing for the construction industry within laboratories and onsite. This covers site investigation; analysis of materials incorporated within construction products, such as soils, aggregates, water, concrete, mortar, cement, bituminous materials and hydraulically bound mixtures; and analysis of the performance of the finished product.

How did you get into this field?

I’ve always had an interest in civil engineering and worked on the construction of the A55 dual carriageway when I was 18. I spent the first 20 years of my career working for Celtest, one of the largest commercial independent materials testing laboratories in North Wales, starting as a lab technician. As the company grew I also progressed, broadening my scope to carry out testing of a wide range of materials as well as doing on-site testing. I ended up managing the aggregate, soils and chemical testing laboratory that was accredited by UKAS.

When did you join UKAS?

I joined the business nearly five years ago. It was a good time for me to challenge myself and take the next career step as my children, Osian now aged 17 and Lois 13, were more independent so I could commit to travelling for assessments.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I love working with an experienced and supportive team at UKAS and looking after a diverse range of customers. I also get to visit the sites of major infrastructure projects, from the Hinkley Point nuclear power station in Somerset to HS2 (High Speed 2) rail network sites.

Ensuring competency at the laboratories we assess supports confidence in the results produced and released into the construction industry. It’s also interesting to assess the standards that support new innovations and progression within the industry.

What makes you proud to work for UKAS?

Gaining UKAS accreditation is the pinnacle in the construction and materials testing industry and something to be aspired to, so I’m very proud to work as an Assessment Manager for UKAS.

When things do go wrong in the construction industry the consequences can be catastrophic, so I am also proud to work in an industry that raises safety standards.

How do you relax in your spare time?

We live in beautiful Anglesey, Wales, three minutes from the sea and a half hour drive to Snowdon, so enjoy the outdoor life swimming in the sea, paddle boarding and cycling.

I manage/coach the Trearddur Bay football team. I’m currently a UEFA B licenced coach and enjoy the challenge of managing and training a competitive team. I support West Ham Utd and attend as many games as possible.