Meet the Team
Craig Thomas
Managing Director
Chartered Engineer, BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering, HND Electrical Engineering, C&G Electrical Installation.
Craig has been Director of SVM Glasgow since its inception in April 2009 following its independence from SVM Consulting Engineers with whom Craig had been employed in their Glasgow and Edinburgh offices since 2001. Craig’s role includes the management of all business operations through the adoption and dissemination of strategy, leadership, mentorship and development of the engineering staff. Craig has experience in all sectors of the industry and has been an integral part of important projects including Haymarket Station, Borders Rail and Goole Swing Bridge.
James Taylor
Director
Chartered Engineer, BEng (Hons) Electrical Power Engineering, HND Electrical Engineering, HNC Electrical Engineering, SVQ iii Installation Electrician.
Jamie joined SVM Glasgow in 2010 on a summer placement, a role which he has since developed through Engineer and Senior Engineer statuses to become an associate of SVM Glasgow, completing a BEng degree and amassing a wealth of knowledge and experience in the process. Jamie’s role entails management of projects from fee stage to completion while also being involved in high level business development strategies. Projects which have benefitted from Jamie’s involvement include several PSP and 650V design schemes, design works at Birmingham, Kings Cross and Euston stations, Highland Mainline and HEP East renewals and the Stirling, Dunblane and Alloa EP works.
Elise Mclean
Office Manager
MA (Hons) English Literature and History of Art.
Beginning with a clerical position in 2007, Elise has been a part of SVM throughout its transition from being a part of the SVM Consulting Engineers group to the thriving, independent office that has been functioning since 2009. During this time Elise’s role has developed from clerical assistant to Office Manager and she now manages all administration for the office; including HR, Health and Safety and quality; and offers any necessary support to the engineers when required. The first point of contact for clients contacting the Office, Elise has been responsible for the organisation of client networking events, SVM company weekends away in York and Dunkeld and ensuring protocol compliance for SVM’s annual RISQS audit.
John Burns
Associate
MSC Building Services Engineering, BEng (Hons) Electrical Power Engineering, HNC Electrical Engineering, SVQ iii Approved Installation Electrician.
John joined SVM Glasgow in 2013 and has progressed both academically and professionally during his time here achieving both a BEng (Hons) in Electrical Power Engineering and promotion to Senior Engineer. John’s role includes management of projects from fee stage to completion in the electrical discipline and he has gained significant experience in lighting, electrical services and CCTV design on projects including Borders Rail, Partick Interchange and various Railway Access for All Schemes.
Ben Reid
Associate
BEng (Hons) Architectural Engineering.
Ben has been a part of the SVM Glasgow team since 2015 and in that time he has progressed from Assistant Engineer through Senior Engineer and gained extensive experience in the mechanical discipline of Railway EP and building services projects. Ben’s role includes management of projects from fee stage to completion in the mechanical discipline and he has already successfully participated in projects such as Perth Caledonian Sleeper, various mechanical and building services design projects at multiple Railway Depots and several commercial schemes including hotel, office and education suite developments.
David Hamilton
Site Engineer
SVQ iii Installation Electrician 236 part I, II and III City and Guilds, Testing Certification.
David has been with SVM Glasgow since 2014 and has extensive experience in various roles and fields within the Electrical Industry, especially in the Railway environment, with which he has been involved since 1996. David’s role includes undertaking detailed site surveys to establish the essential criteria from existing installations and collating this information for use by design engineers. David is involved in the initial stages of most projects and retains the required competencies and experience for direct interface with the Railway network.
Brendan McGuinness
CAD Operator
BEng (Hons) Electrical Power Engineering (Working Towards); HNC Electrical Engineering and BSc (Hons) Computer Games Development.
Brendan joined SVM in May 2023 as a CAD Operator, bringing existing CAD experience from his BSc degree alongside practical, hands-on experience as a P-Way Technician within the railway industry. Since joining SVM, Brendan has completed his HNC in Electrical Engineering and is working towards his BEng in Electrical Power Engineering.
Brendan supports the engineering team through the production of technical drawings, calculations and lighting designs. He has contributed to a range of projects, including works at Glasgow Central Station, Waverley Station lighting design and Stranraer Marina Expansion.
Allan Harkness
Electrical Engineer
BEng (Hons) Electrical Power Engineering (Working Towards), HNC Electrical Engineering and SVQ Level 3 Installation Electrician.
Allan joined the SVM team in May 2022 in a design role after gaining experience as an electrician within the commercial and industrial industry. Currently, his role includes providing support to senior engineering staff while gaining experience in the production of technical designs, drawings, calculations and reports through projects such as the Troon Station Rebuild Project, Ayr Station Booking Office, Hessle Footbridge Lighting and the Selby Access for All Scheme. During his time at SVM, Allan has been involved in the design process of various other projects and played an integral part in the Stirling Station South Car Park and Forecourt Redevelopment scheme.
Jim Weston
Electrical Engineer
BEng (Hons) Electrical Power Engineering
Jim has been part of the SVM team since 2014 when he joined us a CAD resource. During his time with SVM he has been progressing with professional development by completing a BEng (Hons) in Electrical Power and moving into a design role. Currently, his duties include supporting the senior engineers in large scale projects and mentored management of smaller scale projects throughout design. Jim is also well versed in production of design drawings using AutoCAD, REVIT and BIM software products. Jim’s experience has been accumulated over the years through involved with projects including design for the London to Corby railway route, the East to West walkway at Waverley Station, Stirling, Dunblane and Alloa EP and bonding works and EGIP routewide bonding.
Gary Douglas
Electrical Engineer
BEng (Hons) Electrical Power Engineering (Working Towards), HNC Electrical Engineering and SVQ Level 3 Installation Electrician.
Gary joined the SVM team in July 2024 in a design role after gaining experience as an electrician working in the commercial and industrial industry. His role currently comprises developing technical designs, drawings, calculations and reports through various projects in the rail sector such as Glasgow Central Retail Migration, Edinburgh Waverley Lighting and Wilton Rise Footbridge. Gary has also undertaken design roles on a number of non-rail based projects such as Stranraer Marina Expansion and a number of EV charging installation designs across Scotland.
Robert Bruce
Electrical Engineer
BEng (Hons) Electrical Power Engineering (Working Towards), HNC Electrical Engineering and SVQ Level 3 Installation Electrician.
Robert joined the SVM team in October 2023 in a design role after gaining experience as an electrician within the commercial and industrial industry. Currently, his role includes providing support to the engineering staff while gaining experience in the production of technical designs, drawings, calculations and reports through projects such as the Etches Park Engine Drop, Drumgrew Roundabout, Eastcroft Depot and the Dunkeld Car Park project. During his time at SVM, Robert has been involved in the design process of various other projects and played an integral part in the Waverley Station Renewals and Etches Park Depot Protection scheme.
Calum Doherty
Senior Electrical Engineer
BEng (Hons) Electrical Power Engineering; HNC Electrical & Electronic Engineering and an N/SVQ Level 3 in Process Engineering Maintenance: Electrical
Calum joins SVM in a design role after gaining experience in electrical installation and maintenance in the Offshore Oil & Gas industry. He provides support to senior engineering staff while gaining experience in technical designs, drawings and reports through projects such as Cathcart DB redesign, Corkerhill Departure Roads and Glasgow Central Platform 1 Lighting DB redesign.
Robbie Foubister
Assistant Electrical Engineer
BEng (Hons) Electrical Power Engineering
Robbie joined SVM in March 2024 in a Graduate Electrical design role after completing his honours degree and gaining some experience as a design engineer within the marine sector. Robbie provides support to the senior engineering staff including the production of technical designs, drawings, calculations and reports through numerous projects including Legacy Migration Network Build, Megastream, EV Mobile Chargers along with Remedial works at Train stations such as Inverurie, Drumchapel & Kirkcaldy.
Andrew Orr
Electrical Engineer
BEng (Hons) Electrical & Electronic Engineering, HND in Electronics
Andrew joined the SVM team in early 2025, following five years in his previous role where he progressed to Electrical Engineer. After graduating from university in 2019, he began his career immediately in York as a Graduate Engineer within an E&P team.
Since joining SVM, Andrew has built on his previous experience, providing design support predominantly within E&P disciplines for Network Rail projects. His responsibilities include supporting the production of technical design documentation such as design drawings, calculations, reports, and Design Risk Assessments (DRA), etc.
Andrew’s project experience at SVM includes work on ESD Remote Securing, Perth Modernisation Phase 1, and Motherwell PSP Reconfigurations.
Dale McGrogan
Assistant Mechanical Engineer
BEng (Hons) Building Services Engineering (Working towards), HND Engineering Systems and SVQ Level 3 Plumbing & Heating
Dale joined the SVM team in 2024 in a design role after gaining experience as a gas/heating engineer within the commercial and industrial industry. Dale provides support to senior engineering staff while gaining experience in the production of technical designs, drawings, calculations and reports through projects such as the Inverness TMD Replanning, Dumfries Tanking Water, Yoker CET, Waverley HVAC Refurbishment and Corkerhill Departure Roads. During his time at SVM, Dale has been involved in the design process of various other projects and played an integral part in the Stranraer Marina Expansion scheme.
Shrikanth Parthiban
CAD Operator
MArch Advanced Architectural Design (RIBA Part 2 Accredited), BArch (COA India Registered Architect – CA/2021/140619).
Shrikanth joined the SVM team in October 2023 as a part-time CAD Technician while pursuing his Master’s degree and gaining experience in architectural design. His role involves supporting engineers with the production of technical drawings, BIM models, and CAD documentation across a range of projects, including the Clacton Wheel Lathe Building, Cadder Wheel Lathe Building, and Avanti West Coast Station W/C Refurbishment. Having successfully completed his Master’s degree, Shrikanth progressed to a full-time CAD Technician role and continues to develop his technical expertise. He has already been involved in numerous projects, including the Stranraer Marina Expansion and Dunbar Cycle Shelter.