We’re delighted to welcome five new colleagues to the team. Each brings a unique mix of experience and enthusiasm – from a former firefighter to a graduate engineer who first joined us as a summer intern. At DFC, we believe that diverse skills and perspectives help us delivery better solutions for our clients and build an inclusive team where everyone can thrive.

Here is a little bit about each of them:

Edwin Ayala – Engineer
Originally from Colombia, Edwin brings a strong background in structural engineering and fire safety. After completing the International Master in Fire Safety Engineering (IMFSE) from the University of Edinburgh, he gained several years of experience working on complex projects before joining DFC. Outside work, he’s passionate about travel, football, and cycling.

Rachel Bayliss – Senior Engineer
Rachel holds an MEng in Chemical Engineering from the University of Birmingham and has been working in fire engineering since 2021. She brings experience from a global consultancy, where she led fire safety input on projects across commercial, residential and healthcare sectors. When she’s not working, Rachel likes reading, crochet, music, singing and spending time with friends and family.

Nurul Anuar – Graduate Engineer
Nurul studied Chemical Engineering at University College London and has a fresh perspective to fire safety. She’s keen to apply her skills in a new context and is excited to see how her skills can make a real difference. When she’s not working, Nurul is a keen knitter (with four sweaters to prove it!) and enjoys gaming.

Sophie Ewen – Graduate Engineer
From Summer Intern to Graduate Engineer, Sophie joined DFC as a placement student last year in our Leeds office. Fast forward a year and we’re pleased to welcome her back – this time as a Graduate Engineer. Sophie recently completed her MEng in Structural and Fire Safety Engineering at the University of Edinburgh. Outside of work, Sophie loves travelling and all things sports, particularly rugby and F1.

Kerry Baker – Apprentice Engineer
Kerry joins our Manchester team as an Apprentice after an impressive career on the front line, serving as a Firefighter for Cheshire Fire Service and Greater Manchester Fire Rescue Service (GMFRS), and more recently as a Watch Manager in the Higher Risk Team in Manchester Protection office for the GMFRS. She’s now studying for a BA (Hons) BEng Fire Engineering degree at the University of Lancashire while starting her new career in consultancy. Away from work, Kerry enjoys football, mountain biking and hiking with her dogs.

Featured image from left to right: Edwin Ayala, Rachel Bayliss, Nurul Anuar, Sophie Ewen and Kerry Baker.