THE ASSOCIATION OF CONSULTING SCIENTISTS (ACS)
founded 1958
What is the ACS?
The Members of the Association of Consulting Scientists are independent consultants in science and technology with practices based mainly within the UK. A wide range of expertise is available within the membership and from it solutions to most of your problems can be found. The ACS provides a Code of Conduct for its members, a form of quality assurance system, and identifies expectations of clients and consultants that provides the basis of an equitable and fair working relationship.
If you have any observations on this site, or need any assistance, please contact sg@sgconsult.co.uk
The ACS is a member of the Joint Consultants Forum - more at JCF
The Annual General Meeting will take place on 8 December 2009 at 11.00 hrs at the STR premises in Reading
Please let the secretary know if you wish to attend secretary@consultingscientists.co.uk
Looking for a specific item of equipment or laboratory facility? Then some of our members have information on a separate page - equipment/laboratory
Navigating this site - click onto the subject underneath or move down the page:
The benefits of ACS membership MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM
Forensic & Expert Witness Group
What to Expect from a Consultant
BSI Committees with members from ACS
What can the ACS offer your organization?
The Association provides a link to member scientists practising as consultants and enables the formation of multi-disciplinary teams to address complex problems involving many fields of expertise. The wide range of expertise that can be applied to solving problems places the ACS in an ideal position to offer a top quality service to those small and large businesses that require the assistance of independent consultants.
DIRECTORY OF
MEMBERS AND SERVICES
The following list of members has keywords to help you identify a suitable consultancy practice. Click onto the consultancy that you wish to know more about and you will be taken to a more comprehensive entry. A number of practices may offer assistance and it could be worth investigating more than one. Each entry has contact information for further information. If you cannot find a suitable practice, then e-mail either secretary@consultingscientists.co.uk or sgc@sgconsult.co.uk and we will try to contact a suitable practice or put together a group of practices that can fit your requirements.
Abbreviations used for keyword entries:
A - accredited laboratory, usually UKAS
E - has court experience as an expert witness
H&S - health & safety
food - includes drinks
Booth Smith Technology -E, food, spoilage, packaging, hygiene, nutrition
Chatfield Applied Research Laboratories Limited - E, A, coatings, plastics & polymers, colour
DNA Defence Ltd - E, A, DNA profiling, defence, prosecution
Dr G.F. Shanks - toxicology, pharmacology
Dr Mark Tyrer - E, geochemistry, environment, cement, molten salts
Francis W Downing - E, art, forensic, forgery, theft
Greenall Food Consultant - food, microbiology, quality, training
H.A. Forsyth - food, hygiene, nutrition, catering
Livestock Genetics Ltd - livestock, pigs, genetics, breeding
Neale Consulting Engineers - E, machinery, failure, friction, lubrication, wear
Phillippa Lavell FAE - E, handwriting, lecturer
R.G. Weatherhead - E, adhesives, flooring, plastics & polymers
SGS Testing Division - E, A, wide range of physical and chemical testing
STR (UK) Ltd - E, A, testing electrical, toys, furniture, cosmetics
Stuart Guy Consulting - E, environment, H&S, risk assessment
Technology For Timber Ltd - timber, historic, design, training
Wright Consultancy Group - buildings, failure, refurbishment
Ingleby, Member:
Derby, DE73 IHW Forensic & Expert Witness Group
Telephone: 01332 862894
Fax: 01332 864616
E-mail: info@boothsmithfoodtechnology.com
Internet http://www.boothsmithfoodtechnology.com
Consultants - composition, quality, processing, packing, and marketing of foods; Development; Analysis, microbiology, and spoilage; Studies of feasibility; Engineering, technology, factory planning; Assessing losses; Audits; Nutrition; Training in hygiene; Expert witness
Senior Management: Brian J. Smith, ANCFT, FIFST
Martin Read
Staff: Two full-time partners; two full-time employees
Associated Organization: Campden & Chorleywood Food Research Association
Areas of Activity: Analysis of composition, nutrients, trace compounds, etc. Control of quality (systems to British Standard 5750, International Standard 9000, HACCP - hazard analysis critical control point - and preparing manuals). Microbiology (efficiency, hygiene, shelf-life of goods, spoilage, investigating 'food poisoning' and risk to public health). Development of new products (improving nutritional values, diet ('slimming') products, pilot production, saving costs). Feasibility of new factories and plant (including the improvement of efficiency, expansion, and rehabilitation). Engineering (including selection of process and equipment, supervision). Planning (including lay-out, budgeting, specification, preparing tender documents and business plans). Nutrition (evaluation, formulation of products, labelling requirements). Spoilage (solving problems, studies of shelf-life, health aspects). Assessment of losses (service to insurers and loss adjusters on questions such as damage, spoilage, packaging, liability, and 'food poisoning'). Technology in all aspects of food manufacture. Technical audits (factory inspection for Good Manufacturing Practice; assessments for buyers, investors, owners, and self-audit systems). Training in hygiene (in basic food hygiene to Royal Society of Health standards, for employees handling food).
Expert Witness: Aspects of food as follows: additives, analysis, control of quality, hygiene, labelling, losses, packaging, poisoning, processing, spoilage, storage, taint, technology
Accreditation: Department of Trade and Industry (listed as consultant, quality control and manufacturing)
Experience Overseas: Bangladesh, Barbados, Benelux, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, Lesotho, Mexico, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Scandinavia, South Africa, Spain, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zambia
Languages Available: French
Chatfield Applied Research Laboratories Limited
Newton House, Byers Lane, Member
South Godstone, Forensic & Expert Witness Group
Surrey, RH9 8JH Testing Laboratories Group
Telephone: 01342 893344
Fax : 01342 893542
e-mail: chrischatfield@paintsealanttest.co.uk
Practical independent consultants specializing in surface coatings (adhesives, ceramic decorations, lacquers, paints, printing inks, synthetic resins, etc.); Investigations of corrosion; Materials for building and road-making; Plastics; Rubbers; Sealants; Measurement of colour
Senior Management: C.J. Chatfield, BSc, PhD, CChem FRSC, MICorr, MAE, MIMMM
A.F. King, BSc, PhD
Staff: Five full-time
Associated Company: Independent Paint Inspections Limited
Areas of Activity: Consultancy, analysis and testing for products such as adhesives, paints and allied products, printing inks, sealants; development, formulation and research for such products, building and road materials; inspections; investigations of failure; protection against corrosion
Expert Witness: Adhesives, paints, printing inks, sealants, surface coatings
Accreditation: Department of Environment; United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), regn. no. 0140 to BS EN ISO 17025:2000
Experience-Overseas: World-wide
Languages Available: French, German
1 Harley Place Member:
Clifton Down Forensic & Expert Witness
DX 130678 CLIFTON 4
Telephone: 0117 370 2727
Fax: 0117 911 8583
E-mail: info@dna-defence.co.uk
Internet http://www.dna-defence.co.uk
Consultants – DNA Defence is widely acknowledged as the UK's leading independent forensic science consultancy providing professional, personal and punctual expert witness services to the criminal defence lawyer, barrister and private client.
Senior Management: James M. Clery BSc (Hons), MSc, FLS, CBiol, MBiol, MRSC, MEWI, MioD.
Staff: Two full-time employees.
Areas of Activity: As a leader in the field of forensic DNA profiling, with unique expertise as experts in the USA and UK, we regularly prepare reports and attend court as expert witnesses and professional advisors. Our experts have worked for the Crown and defence, and have established a UKAS and National DNA Database accredited Crown forensic DNA testing facility whilst attending the UK DNA Database Technical Working Group. All experts have passed the Bond Solon Cardiff University Expert Witness course and are regulated by UK professional forensic and expert witness bodies.
We are not a broker of forensic services and all work is performed in-house by our scientists.
Expert Witness: ISO quality led Crown case, report and exhibit re-examination, and interpretation for STR DNA Profiling, complex DNA mixture interpretation, Low Copy Number, MtDNA, bodyfluid analysis and interpretation, paternity/ hereditary, bloodstain pattern analysis, and scene of crime interpretation and reconstruction. We have immediate access to the UK’s most advanced forensic DNA profiling and paternity testing facilities accredited to UKAS 17025 standards.
Experience Overseas: Canada, Germany, United States of America (New York City, Albany, Pennsylvania, Texas, New Jersey), South Africa.
Languages Available: English.
Other Experience: Lectures regularly and provides CPD regulated courses on forensic biology/ DNA examination to legal bodies/ peers. Is published in leading UK forensic journals.
32 Crosshill Drive,
Bo'ness
West Lothian
Scotland, EH51 9TB
Telephone:
Consultancy; Pharmacology; Toxicology; Synthetic and biological processes
Senior Management: G.F. Shanks, BSc, PhD, DipChem Pharmacology, FNZIC
Staff: One part-time
Areas of Activity: Consulting chemist and pharmacologist; planning of research and development; assessing bio-organic and synthetic processes; biological evaluations and inter- actions; toxicology; surveys of literature and of scientific opinion.
Expert Witness: Not undertaken
Other Facilities: Arrangements for laboratory work can be contracted.
Experience Overseas: Australia, New Zealand
38 Darley Park Road
Darley Abbey
Derby
DE22 1DA
Telephone: 01332 553 741
Fax: 07976 758 707
E-mail m.tyrer@mtyrer.net
Internet: www.mtyrer.net
Geochemistry, Cement stabilisation of waste, Leachate control, Mineral Processing, Geomaterials.
Senior Management: Mark Tyrer, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D, FGS
Staff: One part-time
Areas of Activity: Low temperature geochemistry as it applies to Environmental Protection and Resource Efficiency. Groundwater-Rock-Cement-Waste interactions. Cement
chemistry Nuclear Waste Management and near field processes Geomaterials. Microscopy. Computational thermodynamics. Mineral processing. Molten salt chemistry.
Other Areas: Training in computational thermodynamics and applications to geochemical processes. Research Manager MIRO. Principal Research Fellow, University College, London, Visiting Fellow, Imperial College, London. Associate, Quarry Design Ltd. Bristol.
Expert Witness: Reports as required.
203 Wetherby Road
Harrogate
North Yorkshire HG2 7AE
Telephone: 01423 886962
E-mail: francisdowning@msn.com
Internet: www.francisdowning.com
Analysis, Research and Conservation of easel paintings on canvas and panel from early Renaissance to present day.
Senior Management: Francis Downing – Forensic Conservator
Staff: One full time – three part time
Areas of Activity: Examination, Conservation and Restoration
work, Identification of fraudulent paintings.
Advice for Police, Trading Standards, Institutions
Museums, Insurance Associations and Private
Clients.
Other Areas: Long term investigations into Art theft and
Forgery.
Expert Witness: Reports as required.
Experience overseas: Italy, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Spain.
Meadow View,
Brook Road,
Ipplepen,
South Devon, TQ12 5SQ
Telephone: 01803 812184
Chartered microbiologist; consultancy on starting food and drink businesses; laboratory facilities, training and technical support
Senior Management: R.G. Greenall, CBiol MIBiol, MIFST
Staff: One full-time
Areas of Activity: The processing and testing of food and beverages; control of quality; investigations; starting new businesses in these fields; training scientific and technical staff
Laboratory facilities: Microbiological facilities
Mill Farm, Eardington,
Bridgnorth,
Shropshire, WV16 5LA
Telephone: 01746 763486
e-mail haforsyth@forsythconsultancy.co.uk
Consultancy; Food hygiene; Food vending; Cook-Freeze techniques; Nutrition; Design of kitchens; Evaluation of catering products; Bio-engineering; Educational liaison, Business simulations
Senior Management: H.A. Forsyth, BSc(AgriSci), CBiol MIBiol, MIFST, CMBII, MRIPHH
Staff: One full-time
Areas of Activity: Food hygiene, especially in vending; nutrition, including control of nutrients by computer systems; the application of cook-freeze techniques; freezer ratings; other scientific and technical aspects of work in these fields; design of kitchens; calculation and development of exercises in nutrition and simulation; evaluation of catering products (including novel proteins); bio-engineering; technology for liaison in education
Rye Cottage,
Peasemore,
Newbury,
Berkshire, RG20 7JN
Telephone: 01635 247152
Fax: 01635 247152
e-mail: rex.walters@virgin.net
Consulting scientist in all aspects of breeding and genetic programmes for livestock, particularly pigs
Senior Management: J.R. Walters, BSc, MPhil, PhD, CBiol MIBiol
Staff: One full-time; professional association with consultants in statistics, computer training, mathematical modelling, nutrition and veterinary science
Areas of Activity: Mating plans; control of interbreeding; analysis and management of testing programmes; design of selection indices, BLUP, pyramid appraisal; objectives of selection and criteria; analysis of carcase data; programmes for monitoring, genetic audits, DNA testing; investigation of congenital defects; feasibility studies
Experience Overseas: Australia, Brazil, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Spain, Thailand, United States of America.
Highfield Member:
Pilcot Hill Forensic & Expert Witness Group
Dogmersfield
Hampshire, RG27 8SX
Telephone: 01252 629199
Fax: 01252 815625
E-mail: mike@chalkdell.com
Internet http://www.tribology.co.uk/
Solving problems with machinery and plant; Failure and accident investigation; Design reviews; Technology surveys; Friction, wear, lubrication, bearings, gears, seals, couplings, pistons and rings
Senior Management: Michael Neale, OBE, BSc(Eng), DIC, FCGI, WhSch, FEng FIMechE
Dennis Summers-Smith, BSc, PhD, CEng FIMechE
Sandy Polak, MA, CEng MIMechE
David Harrison, MA, PhD C Eng, FIMechE
Roger Allen, BA, C Eng, MIMechE
Staff: Three full-time directors; five Consulting Engineers & twenty Associates
Areas of Activity: Called on internationally for urgent investigation of the failure of critical machines. Advice to manufacturers on improving the reliability of their products. Advice to companies operating process plant on the solution of machinery problems. Specialist expertise on the moving parts of machinery, including friction, wear, lubrication, vibration. Investigations have been conducted on aircraft, helicopters, railways, ships, commercial vehicles, cars and motorcycles, textile machinery, power stations, refineries and chemical plant, lifts and escalators.
Expert Witness: Mechanical engineering; Failures and accidents.
Experience Overseas: Borneo, China, Europe, India, Japan, Kenya, Middle East, Nigeria, Pakistan, Phillipines, Singapore, South Africa, United States of America, Venezuela
Languages Available: French, German, Spanish
9 Village Close, Member:
London, NW3 5AH Forensic & Expert Witness Group
Telephone: 0207 794 6060
Fax: 0207 431 4699
e-mail: scribe@plavell.plus.com
Forensic handwriting examiner with own laboratory including ESDA; Expert witness and lecturer
Senior Management: Phillipa Lavell (Fellow of Academy of Experts, Member of International Forensic Science Society, Member of Royal Institution, Law Society's Register of Expert Witnesses)
Staff: One full-time and two part-time personal assistants
Areas of Activity: Examination and comparison of genuine and questioned handwriting (including signatures and digits) on commerce and insurance documents, Wills, old manuscripts and anonymous communications, to establish authorship.
Expert Witness: Forensic handwriting examiner
Experience Overseas: International clientèle.
Other Experience: Lectures regularly on forensic handwriting examination to legal bodies; author of several articles in legal journals.
Languages Available: French, Spanish and experience with other alphabets, such as Arabic, Urdu.
30 Seaforth Gardens, Member:
Stoneleigh, Forensic & Expert Witness Group
Epsom,
Surrey, KT19 ONR
Telephone: 0208 393 4370
Fax: 0208 393 4370
Adhesives; Corrosion (control, protection against); Composite materials; Flooring; Glass-reinforced plastics ('GRP'); Paint; Plastics (epoxy, polyester, reinforced); Surface coatings
Senior Management: R.G. Weatherhead, BSc
Staff: One full-time
Areas of Activity: Chemistry and technology of: adhesives; concrete (resin-modified); epoxides; flooring materials and floorings; glass-reinforced and fibre-reinforced plastics; laminates (electrical and structural); membranes; polyesters; synthetic resin coatings (for chemical resistance and protection against corrosion); use of resins at site.
Expert Witness: Adhesives, coatings, corrosion, flooring, plastics (epoxy, polyester resins, 'GRP', etc.)
Experience Overseas: Belgium, France, India, Libya, Netherlands, Norway, United States of America
Consumer: Member:
SGS
United Kingdom Ltd
Laboratories Group
7th Floor Forensic & Expert Witness Group
Westec
W5
Hanger
Lane
Ealing
London
W5 1YY
Tel:
020 8991 3410
Fax:
020 8991 3417
Electrical:
SGS International Approvals
Unit
10 Bowburn Industrial Estate
Bowburn, County Durham, DH6 5AD
Telephone: 0191 377 2000
Fax: 0191 377 2020
Analysis; Calibration; Consultancy; Expert Witness; Testing; Fields such as: consumer goods, electrical goods, leisure, minerals, nursery equipment, ores, textiles, toys, welds and welders
Senior Management Jonathan Hall (General Manager)
Keith Hutchinson(Manager - Electrical Services)
Chris Wood (Customer Care Manager)
Ricardo Fleming (Manager - Consumer Products Services)
Staff: Seventy full-time and three part-time employees.
Parent Company: SGS United Kingdom Limited
Ultimate Holding Company: Societe Generale de Surveillance Holding SA
Associated Practice: Wool Testing Services International Limited (WTSI)
Areas of Activity: Consulting metallurgists and materials scientists; analysis of chemicals, concretes, dyes and auxiliaries, effluents, ferrous or non-ferrous metals and alloys, minerals, ores and concentrates, paints, plating solutions, refractories, soil, water, etc.; assessment of welds/welders; calibration of mechanical measuring equipment; forensic metallurgy; investigation of corrosion and metallurgical failure, leak and pressure testing; strain measurement; physical testing of metals and other materials; metallography; metrology; testing of bicycles, cooking and kitchen utensils, electrical and electronic household appliances, fabrics, fibres, garden furniture, nursery equipment, outdoor play equipment, shoes, sports, leisure and textile goods. Food testing
Expert Witness: Chemical analysis; electrical goods; mechanical testing; metallurgy; nursery equipment; textiles; toys. Retail supply support
Accreditation: British Coal; British Nuclear Fuels Limited; CAA; Government Departments (under various safety regulations for: babies’ dummies, electrical equipment, flammability of furniture, food imitations, nightwear, pencils and graphic instruments, perambulators, pushchairs, toys); EU type approval for toy safety and Low Voltage Directive; Ford; Lloyds; London Metal Exchange; UKAS Testing Laboratory Pratt & Whitney; Rolls-Royce; Sikorsky.
Experience Overseas: The world-wide SGS organization has offices in 140 countries, with a total staff of 36,000.
Ambergate Laboratory
(Previously
known as Precision Process Technology)
Ambergate,
Derbyshire,
DE56 2EY
Telephone: 01773 854000
Fax: 01773 857263
e-mail:
enquiries@struk.co.uk
Internet: http://www.struk.co.uk/
Comprehensive textile testing facilities; Investigation and analysis of faults; Research in textile technology; Specialized chemical analysis for textiles, Training in textile testing and wet processing especially of knitted garments. Accreditation
Senior
Management:
Dr Ian Saunderson
Director of European Operations
Keith Richards
Operations & Technical Manager
Ian Butler
Sales & marketing Manager
Audrey
White
Textile Laboratory Manager
Chris Preston
Quality Manager
Barbara Langston
Accreditation Manager
Neil Randle
IT Manager
Staff: 48 employees (inc. 12 part time )
Parent Company: STR UK Ltd
Expert Witness: As an independent textile testing house
Accreditation: United
Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) 0157
Marks
and Spencer supplier accrediting laboratory
Adidas
supplier accrediting laboratory
ics
Accreditation; United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS); Notified Body for toys and electrical goods
Experience Overseas: Europe, Middle East, Far East
Languages available: French, German
5 Willow Heights, Member:
Cradley Heath Forensic & Expert Witness Group
West Midlands, B64 7PL
Telephone: 0121 602 3515
Fax: 0121 602 1062
Mobile: 07785 117172
e-mail: sgc@sgconsult.co.uk
Internet: http://www.sgconsult.co.uk
Contamination of land; process risk assessments; treatment of water and land contaminated by wastes; assessment of process problems.
Senior Management: Stuart Guy, PhD, CChem, MRSC, CEng, MIM
Staff: One full-time
Areas of Activity: Risk assessment for contaminated land and remediation of sites for development and stabilisation
PPC and IPPC submissions and compliances
Identification and management of asbestos, CAWR 2002
Process engineering – environmental and health & safety assessments
Expert Witness: Civil and criminal; contamination and risk assessment
42 Market Place
Ripon
North Yorkshire, HG4 1BZ
Telephone: 011765 601010
Fax: 01765 608081
Mobile 07712 880873
E-mail tft@woodexperts.com
Internet http://www.woodexperts.com/
Technical advice on the use and specification of timber and wood based sheet materials (plywood, chipboard, MDF, etc.); wood species analysis; site investigations of new-build or historic timbers in use; design of timber structures; training in timber product knowledge; technical website design
Senior Management: James C Coulson, FIWSc, FFB
Staff: One full-time; three part-time Associates
Areas of Activity: Consultancy advice on the uses of timber and wood-based sheet materials; drafting of specifications; analysis for wood species determination; in-situ grading of timbers for strength; engineering analysis of timber structures; design and detailing of wood components; training in areas of wood product knowledge; design of websites for trade associations and technical clients.
Expert Witness: Technical site investigations
Experience Overseas: USA, Canada, Latvia, Estonia, Austria, Germany, France, Switzerland
Languages Available: Basic French, Moderate German (technical timber terms included)
Guinea Wiggs
Nayland
Colchester
Essex, CO6 4NF
Telephone: 01206 263646
Fax: 01206 262624
Construction industry development, research and technology; Investigation of failure in building.
Senior Management: I.A.C. Wright, PEng, FSE, MBEng
N.J. Bridger, BSc, CChem MRSC
Staff: Two full-time
Associated Company Wright Consultancy Group Limited
Areas of Activity: Advice on control of building, refurbishment, site supervision and testing; assessments of structures, windows, investigations of failures (blockwalls, concrete, curtain walls and steelwork; attachment and stress failure of metallic pipe); design of test rigs
Specialized Equipment: Small in-house research test facility; testing at site
British/International
Standards Representation
Dr Mark Tyrer
EN B516 Cements, co-opted
H A Forsyth
Mr H A Forsyth
CII/59 Chemicals for Treatment of Drinking Water
EH/4/2 Soil Quality - Sampling
CW/9 Cooking and Catering Containers
Precision Processes Textiles
Joanne Brown
TCI/24 Physical Testing of Textiles
Anthony Smith
TCI/80 Chemical Testing of Textiles
Sarah Draycott
TCI/81 Colour Fastness
Jonathan Foister
TCI/82 Dry Cleaning, Care Labelling, Domestic Laundering and Drying of Textiles
Simon Allitt
TCI/78 Coated Fabrics
SGS
Testing Division
M.A. Christie
PH/4/5 Air-Fed Equipment
PH/4/6 Self-Contained
Breathing Apparatus
Test Methods and Interpretation
PH/5 Industrial Safety Belts and Harnesses
PH/6/4 Pedal Cyclists’ Helmets
SW/136/5 Mountaineering Equipment
R. Croskell
TCI/66 Apparel
TCI/67/-/2 Furnishing Fabrics
TCI/67/-/4 Baby Nests
Miss S Hart
CPL/61/21
(Toys) Electrical Safety
PH/3/1 Clothing for Protection Against General Hazards
Specialised
Technology Resources (UK) Ltd
Keith Richards
CW/15 Safety of Toys
TDW/004/0-/02 Drawing Media
Martin Langdown
CPL/34/4 Luminaires
CPL/61 Safety of Household and Similar Electrical Appliances
EPL/92 Safety of Audio, Video and Similar Electronic Equipment
Joanne Brown
TCI/66 Apparel and interior textiles
Jonathan Foister
TCI/81 Colourfastness and colour measurement of textiles
TCI/82 Care labelling, dry cleaning, domestic laundering and drying
Linda Sheldon
TCI66/-8 Burning behaviour of textiles
Tony Smith
TCI/24 Physical testing of textiles
TCI/80 Chemical testing of textiles
Steve Wilcox
CW39 Child use and care articles – Wheeled child conveyances
Steve Wilcox
CW 42 Soothers, soother holders and feeding equipment
Robert Yates
CW 217 Cosmetics
Stuart Guy
Consulting
Dr S. Guy
EH/5 Sludge Characterization
Technology For Timber
James Coulson
Sector Group 18 Implementation of Harmonised European Standards
Members who wish to become Association representatives on the following Committees are invited to contact the Secretary
B/515 Wood Preservatives
B/515/01 Preservation, preconditioning and biological Testing
B/515/02 Durability, treatment, performance and environment issues
TCI/63 (Textiles) Burning Behaviour
PH/3/8/2 Oven Gloves
PTI/13 Petroleum testing and terminology
FW/1 Common Test Methods for Furniture
CW/39 Perambulators and Carry Cots
CW/41 Baby Walkers
WEE/2 Welding Tests
WEE/36 Approval Testing of Welding Procedures and Welders
ISE/NFE/41 Uniaxial Testing of Metals
CW/52 Childrens Cots, Bunk Beds and Mattresses
FW/3 Office Furniture
EH/3/4 Microbiology
* Opportunities for business advancement through
mutual referrals amongst fellow members, nationally and internationally
recommendations to industry via DTI assistance schemes
the ACS website, ie an entry on this site
* Further endorsement of your professional respectability
* Opportunities for influencing standards through ISO and BSI committee representation, and by representation on government consultative bodies such as the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee
* Publication on the website of the ACS Newsletter, keeping you up-to-date on accreditation, expert witness, and health and safety developments and EC directives
* Access to ACS pressure groups that fight successfully to protect our members' interests
* Opportunity to use the ACS logo on your stationery
* Direct contact with the United Kingdom Accreditation Service through the UKAS Operational Forum for Direct Customers
* Direct links with
- The Council for the Registration of Forensic Practitioners
- The Academy of Experts
- The Chemical Consultancy Forum
- The UK Register of Expert Witnesses
Applicants are required to show appropriate qualifications, experience and standing, and to comply with the Articles, Memorandum, and Code of Practice of the Association. Most are bound also by the regulations and codes of their professional institutes.
For further information, please contact Honorary Secretary on 01206 571261
Many members of the Association of Consulting Scientists are independent analytical and testing laboratories. The Testing Laboratories Group was formed for members with facilities of this nature, with the following objectives:
· To provide a forum where members can discuss technical subjects and matters of common interest
· To promote members’ services
· To formulate and present Group policies to Government and other organizations
· To consider the relationship between independent laboratories, universities and others offering analytical and testing services
To work towards the rationalization of official approval and registration schemes, and to influence moves towards such schemes.
Forensic and Expert Witness Group
Many members of the Association offer expert witness services for arbitration, civil and criminal actions in the courts, public enquiries, tribunals, and so forth.
The Expert Witness and Government Liaison Group arranges meetings for members and their guests who are active in these fields.
Members of the Expert Witness and Government Liaison Group and practices which can provide expert witness services are identified in this Directory; further details can be obtained from the index
The extension of the title of the Group now includes the Government Liaison aspect, where members may receive consultative documents and matters of interest to the Association may be passed to the appropriate government departments.
The Association Code of Practice is printed in full below. In addition, it should be remembered that members must comply also with the Articles and Memorandum of the Association and with the rules and requirements of their professional institutes.
In the Code the term 'Member' is used to cover both Members and Associate Members of the Association of Consulting Scientists - the members being consulting practices (including contract research organizations and laboratories), whether they be individuals, partnerships, limited companies, or of some other formal structure.
Consultant’s duty to his Client
1. A Member shall in all professional matters act as a faithful agent and trustee for his clients, subject to the recognized standards of ethical conduct and (in particular) to the code of professional practice as set out below.
2. A Member shall, to the best of his ability, be impartial and objective in the advice that he gives and in the work he performs and take all reasonable steps to ensure that all the work done by him or by persons working under his authority or at his request is performed competently and honestly, and reported reliably.
3. A Member shall inform his client of any interest or employment such as might tend to compromise the exercise of his independent professional judgment or conduct.
4. No Member shall work for more than one client simultaneously on the same matter or problem without disclosing this fact to both or all clients who have a common or conflicting interest in the said matter or problem and who have retained or contracted for his services on the same matter or problem.
5. No Member shall receive or pay any gratuity, commission or like consideration from or to a third party relating to the work which he is undertaking or has undertaken for his client.
6. Except when specifically authorized otherwise, a Member shall keep confidential all information gained from his client relating to the client's business operations or manufacturing processes which is not published or common knowledge and all reports from the Member to the client, together with all observations and data obtained from experimental or other work carried out for the client. The full benefits of any process, invention, discovery or improvement arising directly from the work for the client and relating to the matter or problem which is the subject of such work normally shall be vested in the client, but it is recommended that specific provision should be made in advance if inventions or discoveries are likely to arise and to define the areas of direct interest to the client.
Consultant’s duty to his Profession
7. No Member shall compete deliberately on the basis of professional charges with another Member for employment nor shall he attempt either directly or indirectly to supplant another Member, but a Member may state his charges and describe his facilities and state conditions of contract to an intending client if asked to do so, notwithstanding the fact that another Member may already be acting for that client.
8. No Member shall make use of any facility or apparatus provided from public or charitable funds to an educational or other establishment without informing those in authority at the establishment that these facilities or apparatus are being used.
9. A Member shall be entitled to promote his practice by making factual statements through his employees or agents or in advertising or in other promotional matter but shall not make exaggerated or unjustified claims, or invidious comparisons, or undignified announcements or illustrations, or publish material or otherwise act in a way likely to discredit his profession. The Council of the Association shall be the sole judge of complaints against a Member regarding his promotional activities.
Fair practice between Client and Consultant
10. If a Member is instructed to advise or carry out work, there shall be an implied contract which the Member shall confirm in writing and the Member shall be entitled to charge a fee for any advice given or work done. An intending client shall, however, be entitled to enquire as to whether or not a Member is willing and able to advise or to investigate a particular matter without incurring any obligation. However, if the matter is one which requires substantial enquiry or experimental work before the Member or his intending client can be satisfied as to whether or not the Member can carry out the work, the Member shall be entitled to charge for this preliminary work provided he informs the intending clients before carrying out such work.
11. A Member shall not be responsible for any consequences of the publication of his report or of tests passed to a third party by the client unless he has given permission in writing beforehand.
Professional Liability
12. Opinions and advice given and conclusions drawn shall be recognized as being based upon the evidence available to the Member at the time and the Member shall not be responsible for erroneous opinions and advice unless he can be shown to have been negligent in his consideration of that evidence.
What to
Expect from a Consultant
It is not always easy to determine
whether one needs a consultant, and if so to find one competent in any given
field. Another problem is how
to use him, or her, effectively.
Technical Competence and Experience
There is an element of truth in the old saying that an expert is a man who previously made many mistakes. However, a scientific consultant normally will have graduated from his school of experience after qualifying in a discipline: a client selecting a consultant of reputation and repute will not expect (and should not suffer) a practitioner who is learning at his expense. While it is true that any person can set up as a scientific consultant, safeguards are available to prospective clients - among them the two-year rule of the Association, which requires a sustained demonstration of professional competence over at least two years before approving an application for full membership.
Independence
In a sense the consultant is a contractor who undertakes to provide a stated service: such a service may range from providing advice, studies of feasibility, contract research, testing, writing specifications for materials, for plant, preparing other documentation (including manuals for health and safety), or perhaps making forensic investigations - through to the entire management of a project. Whatever field of activity or type of service in which it may be engaged (simple and specific, or virtually comprehensive) a consulting practice that is a member of the Association will rely for its income upon the fees paid by clients. It has an independent identity and existence, and its future will depend upon continuing to be objective and not biased in any way.
Detachment and Objectivity
Should some problem exist and not be capable of easy resolution it may well be an advantage to obtain an unprejudiced view. There may be internal constraints or dissensions about a topic (the question of how and why a difficulty arises or how it might be eliminated easily may not even be asked, let alone solved, by staff concerned with it closely on a day-to-day basis). An organization commissioning or requiring assistance may not have experience related closely to the particular topic, or even to challenges of a similar nature. The consultant brings a fresh approach: he can rationalize the problem and may be able to put forward simple, clear and acceptable solutions on the basis of similar experiences (or only because he is detached). For reasons such as these even organizations which have large scientific staffs of their own frequently find it worthwhile to seek help from consultants.
Relevance
Sometimes, clients may not be aware of a basic problem or may have only imprecise ideas as to what is required. In all cases, the first duty of the consultant is to listen carefully to all that he is told and to determine what is significant (it may well be vital also to ask pertinent questions about what he has not been told). At this early stage a plan must be outlined with a view to achieving defined objectives. The plan for the project will include the topics which will feature in the eventual report and should lead to a well-controlled programme of relevant investigation. The consultant should be ready when appropriate to disregard preconceived ideas, and must ensure that the work takes an appropriate course. As it develops, the costly accumulation of irrelevant data must be avoided (it is important to be able to decide what not to do). In the simplest of terms, the consultant will ask:
'Why am I here?' 'What is the real problem?' 'What is required to solve it?'
'To whom am I reporting?' 'Why am I reporting?' 'When, where, and how?'
Order
The project defined, it is essential to be clear about what will constitute its completion. One has to be sure about this in order to prevent a study over-running in time or in cost, and to ensure that the client obtains what he wants. Few scientists ever feel that they have all the data on which to base 100% certain conclusions, and frequently it is necessary to state practical limits. Conclusions presented after a year and based on 99% data may prove of less value to a client than conclusions in three months from 90% data. With such thoughts in mind the consultant will develop and agree to a schedule of work and, in the case of a continuing project, fix dates for meetings about progress. Not only do such meetings provide opportunities for the exchange of information, they are also a form of discipline helping to keep the work to its schedule - no one likes to attend a meeting to report little or no progress.
Provided the time-table for progress meetings is well-planned they will help in avoiding difficulties such as the submission of results piecemeal, the accumulation of unwanted detail and of information that the client does not need.
On the other hand, they offer the opportunity to make changes in the direction of an investigation conveniently by mutual agreement, should interim findings suggest this would be worthwhile.
Speed
As fee-earners, consultants do not have the time, the incentive, nor the habit to procrastinate. Almost always they are busy people, with many clients to whom they must be available; very few of them limit, or could limit, their work to an eight-hour day. They have this in common with the clients because usually the chief executive (to whom often they have direct access) has objectives that are exactly the same. With charges that are not open-ended, everything tends towards speedy results.
Clarity
The basis of all scientific services is theoretical studies, and often these can seem quite abstruse. Unless theoretical aspects can be dealt with quickly and simply they may well interfere with the consultant's expositions. Many of us are familiar with scientific work which is obscure; scientists who produce such work are at a disadvantage as consultants. Such work requires not only the ability to find a suitable scientific answer, but also that of expressing what might well be complex in terms clear enough to be understood and applied by the client and his technicians. It is hard for an independent consultant to survive in practice unless his reports are clear, direct and simple in expression, without superfluous detail.
Accountability
Practising scientific consultants have duties and obligations to the qualifying institutes of their disciplines, and those who are members of the Association must comply also with its Articles, Memorandum, and Code of Practice (as printed on page 7 of this Directory). Briefly stated, they must satisfy codes of ethical behaviour and develop experience and reputation through exercise of care, competence, diligence and responsibility.
The consultant both takes direct control of work entrusted to him and responsibility for it. This remains true whether he is in practice as an individual specialist or a member of a team of people with complementary skills who operate as a partnership, an independent company, or whatever the structure might be. He may have the assistance of laboratory or testing services, of technicians, other specialists, and of non-technical staff, for all of which ultimately he is responsible. He is accountable regardless of whether on the one hand the work may be a simple analysis or test, or (on the other) providing advice for a project worth millions. Perfection is an unattainable goal (probably he will carry professional indemnity insurance, just in case), but it is the objective towards which he strives.
Many consultants are prepared to present their work and conclusions in courts of justice as expert witnesses, and (like any other contractors) all must be prepared to have their enquiries subjected to the rigours of such examination. The duties of the expert witness require a well-based and comprehensive knowledge of the subject - a formidable requirement, particularly at a time when knowledge is being advanced quickly. Familiarity with the theoretical background and with the recent published work are necessary for success in practice, and the expert can find them tested in cross-examination.
An expert witness must satisfy the requirement of impartiality; his function is to provide the court with scientific information, not to 'take sides'. An occasional client may seek a less-than-unbiased statement but in such instances the scientist can only explain that he will report the findings, whatever they may be. A responsible expert cannot compromise his principles, and if this is not appreciated by the client the right course is to refuse to act. Correct appreciation of such a situation can only enhance the standing of a practice.
Availability
As was suggested in earlier paragraphs, the successful consultant will be a busy person, with many projects on hand, but must be available, within reasonable (and sometimes unreasonable) limits. He may be required at short notice to help overcome some unexpected problem, and on such occasions the client will expect him to be at the site virtually at once.
It is worth a great deal to the client to have immediate access and consultants understand and endeavour to meet this need. While a short wait for the arrival of a more senior person may be accepted, staff with appropriate qualifications and experience should be available always; if appropriate, associates based locally sometimes can be drawn upon. (In this connection, lists of scientific consultants arranged on a geographical basis - see page 49 - can be most helpful.)
The availability of a consulting service may help in another sense: suppose, as an example, an organization finds its own scientific staff committed fully on other matters and does not wish to engage extra full-time people of its own. In such a case it may draw for a time upon external resources, supplementing its own facilities without incurring long-term financial commitments.
Cost-Effectiveness
British consulting scientists enjoy world-wide esteem and the survival and expansion of their activities are founded upon the qualities indicated above - technical competence and experience, independence, objectivity, relevance, orderly working, clarity of expression, speed, availability, accountability.
Such services have to be paid for and charges for consultants may well prove higher on a daily basis than costs for full-time employees. The benefit to the client is in being able to draw upon such services just when they are needed, for a fixed period of time only, and with the assurance that they will be employed to reach specific objectives.