About Dawson Foundation Engineering
Who Are We?
Dawson Foundation Engineering are a nationwide specialist piling and foundations contractor with a difference.
Our owner, Oliver Dawson, is a registered ground engineering professional and chartered civil engineer who, prior to studying engineering, spent 7 years as a site-based piling operative installing a variety of piling and foundation systems.
This unique blend of practice and theory allows us to develop, refine, value engineer and construct foundation schemes for domestic and commercial clients. We encourage early engagement and are pleased to offer professional geotechnical and structural advice to homeowners, engineers, and contractors at any stage of the project.
We are specialists in restricted access piling projects using small scale plant and equipment to install driven, bored, drill and case and screw piles. We operate piling rigs which can gain access through a standard single doorway opening, residential side access passages or even lifted into site. To supplement our piles, we also design and build reinforced concrete works including ground beams, slabs, pile caps and underpinning schemes.
About Our Managing Director, Oliver Dawson
Oliver Dawson MEng CEng MICE FGS AMICT
- Chartered Civil Engineer – Institution of Civil Engineers
- Registered Ground Engineering Professional
- Fellow of the Geological Society of London
- Master’s degree in civil engineering (First Class Honors)
- 10 years’ experience as a professionally qualified engineer
- 7 years’ experience as a piling operative prior to study
- Former mini piling manager for one of the largest piling contractors in the UK (Roger Bullivant Ltd)
Our Team
Who we are?
Oliver Dawson - Owner
MEng CEng MICE FGC AMICT
Oliver is a chartered engineer with the institution of civil engineers and a registered ground engineering professional. He holds a first class (Hons) master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Brighton. He is a fellow of the geological society of London and an Associate of the Institute of concrete technology.
Oliver started his career in the piling industry in 2004 as a piling operative. He worked “on the tools” installing a variety of piling techniques and gaining first-hand experience in the practical aspects of piling until 2010 when he left to attend University. After spending 5 years at University and successfully graduating with a first-class honours degree, he returned to the industry by joining renowned contractor Roger Bullivant Ltd.
Oliver stayed with Roger Bullivant for 8 years leading their South East and North West restricted access piling divisions. As a testament to his achievements, he was recognised as a chartered engineer by the institution of Civil engineers in 2022 and subsequently became registered ground engineering professional in 2023.
Terry Rankin
Operations Manager
Terry has been active within the piling industry for almost 50 years, operating almost every piling rig on the market. He spent 46 years at Roger Bullivant, holding many different roles during that time, from piling operative to foreman and onwards to operations manager. As operations manager for the restricted access piling division he was responsible for planning and managing some of the most complex projects in the country, including Crossrail and Thames tideway.
Terry is well known for his foresight and natural problem solving ability, often preventing problems before they occur with simple solutions. He holds a wealth of practical knowledge on the many different piling techniques including, CFA, SFA, Bottom driven Steel tube, Pre-cast piling and ODEX piling.
Terry took early retirement from Roger Bullivant in 2023 but couldn’t keep himself away from the industry for long. He now works for DFE as an operations consultant where he meets with clients to discuss upcoming projects and keeps a keen eye on all our on going works. A true asset to us.
Helen dawson
Accounts Manager
Helen joined Oliver in founding DFE in 2023 and has since worked tirelessly to help develop the company into what we are today. She provides administrative support to the team including secretarial duties, accounts, bookkeeping and quality management.
Helen has held administrative managerial roles in a number of prominent businesses throughout the country and is well-informed on the piling industry due to being the partner of Oliver for over 15 years!