SIMON WALLEY
FOUNDER/OWNER
I am a Structural Engineer with more than twenty years’ experience, specialising in structural design, analysis and working in a special projects environment. I ran the structural engineering department within a major Naval Architecture consultancy for ten years before moving to help a large composite manufacturer become the country’s leading large composite structures company.
I started Argo Engineering Solutions Ltd to offer my experience in design and utilisation of lightweight materials, including composites, aluminium and higher grade steels to the wider market.
I have a wealth of experience communicating at all levels from boardroom to the shop floor. I have successfully run focused design teams for many years.
Link to PDF: CV
ADAM LEES
ENGINEERING CONSULTANT
I am a Design Engineer at Argo Engineering with over 10 years’ experience working a range of roles specialised around the marine sector. I am typically involved in one off projects which specialise in being ‘different’ and challenging what has gone before. Projects of this nature typically push the engineering or at least the engineering team to the limit.
This has culminated in me working for one of the UK leading super yacht and commercial vessel Naval Architecture consultancies and a composite manufacturer who specialise in designing and building bespoke, large, free standing super yacht masts from advanced materials.
The combination of the companies and projects I have been involved in has given me a strong foundation in engineering, both in the design office and on the shop floor.
Link to PDF: CV
RICHARD DAVISON
ENGINEERING CONSULTANT
I am a Structural Engineer with more than eighteen years’ experience within the marine industry, and in the construction and aeronautical industries.
I have previously worked in the structural engineering department of a leading naval architecture consultancy working on the structural design and analysis of one off projects.
Working on one off, specialist projects has enabled me to pick up a wealth of experience of structural design using a multitude of materials, including aluminium, composites and high strength steels.
I have gained a wide verity of experience working at design consultancies, ship yards and on the shop floor at composite boat builders, enabling me to look at design solutions from all angles.
Link to PDF: CV
DAN BIGWOOD
ENGINEERING CONSULTANT
I am a Design Engineer with extensive experience in design, engineering and manufacturing, having been in the industry since 2004. I have been predominantly working in the marine and offshore sectors, specialising in 3D modelling, Product Data Management (PDM), and visualisation.
I have worked extensively in all areas of the design process from front end concepts through to Design for Manufacture (DFM), detail CAD/CAM design, and Building Information Modelling (BIM).
My broad portfolio of projects range from producing large multidisciplinary models of motor yachts and offshore platforms to creating manufacture ready, component detail drawings for complex precision items such as gas turbines.
Within the Architectural and Infrastructure sectors I have worked as a BIM Engineer creating intelligent models for coordinating the build of bespoke projects.
Link to PDF: CV
CALUM TEE
ENGINEERING CONSULTANT
I am a Chartered Mechanical Engineer at Argo Engineering and have been in industry since 2011, working in the marine and petrochemical engineering sectors. I have been involved in both one-off projects, and developing and optimising standard ‘off the shelf’ designs, both of which challenge the norms of understanding.
Having experienced projects from both a design and manufacturing aspect, that test the limits of design codes, using first principles approach in tandem with detailed FE analysis and physical testing. I have an understanding of how to ensure that an engineering design and concept can be successively implemented.
Link to PDF: CV
EDWARD BATES
ENGINEERING CONSULTANT
I am an experienced Structural Engineer who has specialised in the marine industry. I am familiar working with a variety of materials and have specialist software knowledge in most design and draughting packages. I built up a solid set of design skills whilst working in the Engineering Department upon graduating with an MSc in Naval Architecture.
I am familiar working to class requirements and am pleased to combine my professional life with my personal interest of sailing.
Link to PDF: CV
EMMA SHEPHERD
DESIGN ENGINEER
I have been a Design Engineer/Naval Architect at Argo Engineering since graduating from Newcastle University in 2020.
I have worked on a range of projects at Argo including the structural assessment of small boats, stability analyses and performance predictions. Amongst other things, I have been involved in various hoverbarge projects as well as the preliminary design of RIBs. The wide range of projects at Argo has allowed me to gain valuable experience and expand my skillset.
Link to PDF: CV
MIKE DANN
PROTOTYPER / BOAT BUILDER
I have worked for many years on a huge variety of composite projects, as well as for leading yacht manufacturers in the UK developing carbon fibre masts and building lightweight racing yachts. I have over 25 years’ experience in composite manufacture and combine superb craftsmanship with a great understanding of technical issues. I have also been responsible for the smooth running of the CNC machines and am a qualified boatbuilder/shipwright.
Link to PDF: CV
ELLEN MAIN
DESIGN ENGINEER
I have recently joined Argo Engineering as a Design Engineer having completed my Mechanical Engineering degree at Southampton University.
At University I had the opportunity to do projects such as a thorough investigation into the internal structure of the composite in a foiling windsurfer mast and FE analysis of a ship hull.
Throughout my studies I learnt how to apply mathematics and logical thinking to engineering applications, and I am enjoying developing these skills by working on real world projects. I have previously covered modules including static structures, FE analysis and materials which have already been valuable in my work here.
Link to PDF: CV
ROBBY BOYD
DESIGN ENGINEER
I have joined Argo Engineering as a Design Engineer, having graduated from Solent University with a BEng in Yacht and Power-Craft Design in 2021.
Throughout my degree, I completed modules covering a range of Naval Architecture disciplines including Hydrostatics, Stability, performance Prediction, Computed Aided Engineering, Marine Systems, Structural Analysis and Structural Design for Production. My final year project focused on the composite design of a 45ft racing yacht design specifically for the new Fastnet course finishing in Cherbourg.
I have spent summers through university working on racing yachts, gaining experience in composite design and manufacture and in the real world working with many different builders and designers.
Link to PDF: CV
ELOISE CLAPSON MCBRIDE
STUDENT ENGINEER
I have joined Argo Engineering part-time as a Student Engineer following a summer placement with the company. Currently, I am in the final year of my Aerospace MEng degree at the University of Southampton.
Throughout my academics, I have gained experience in various key areas, including aerodynamics, structural design, FE analysis, materials, and composites. For my master's project, I am focused on designing a wind-assisted ferry.
So far, I have enjoyed applying the skills and knowledge I've developed at university to real-world engineering projects at Argo.
RHYS LEWIS
DESIGN ENGINEER
I have joined Argo as a Design Engineer. My degree covered a broad range of areas within Maritime Engineering and Naval architecture, with my dissertation focusing on a CFD optimisation of a hydrofoil and its influence on ship resistance. In my final year group design project, I led the structural design team for the build of a main hydrofoil for an International Moth dinghy, with a focus on sustainable composite manufacturing processes. I spent six weeks with Argo as an intern in the Summer of 2023, where I gained a huge amount of experience and understanding of transferring skills I have learnt into real projects.
CAM BARR
DESIGN ENGINEER
I have joined Argo Engineering as a Design Engineer, having completed my Mechanical Engineering MEng degree at the University of Southampton.
During my studies, I designed, manufactured, and tested a rudder gantry for a sustainable International Moth as part of my individual dissertation, using scrap pre-preg materials. In my final year group project, I led the development of the turbine blades for a wind-powered race car.
I gained hands-on experience as an intern at Argo in the summer of 2023, where I enhanced my skills in FE analysis, CAD, and structural design. I am now enjoying applying the knowledge and skills I developed previously to real-world engineering challenges at Argo.
VICKY BELSON
OFFICE MANAGER
I am the Office Manager at Argo Engineering. I am a languages graduate with over 20 years’ experience in a Business Operations environment with majority of this time spent as a Financial Analyst for IBM.
My career has also included project roles at IBM, from working on finance for the graduate scheme to software testing at an air traffic control centre. I also have experience in marketing, sales and social media for business, established at a marine based meteorological equipment manufacturer.
My experience working in a secondary school also gave me experience in Health & Safety and Risk Management as well as gaining a whole host of business administration skills.