Smith Brothers, a high voltage electrical engineering firm based in Elland, Yorkshire, has announced that it is expanding its team located in Sheffield from four to eight, despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
While many companies have been making cut backs since the start of the pandemic, Smith Brothers is doubling the number of specialists at its Sheffield office from four to eight. The firm says that this is to further bolster its extensive remit of turnkey electrical engineering services, having overseen the delivery of 16 projects since the office opened in September 2018.
Having added civil design engineer Sameh Dawoud to the team earlier this year, Tom Kirkham has since joined as a primary electrical design engineer, bringing with him nine years of experience within the sector, from employers such as ABB Power Grids and Morrisons Utility Connections.
Working part-time while studying for a PHD in electrical engineering and SMART grids at the University of Strathclyde, Kianoush Naraghipour has also come on board as an earthing design engineer. Having worked in UK-based electrical systems since 2010, he brings experience from BPI, Synergy, UKPS and Morrisons Utility Connections.
The final appointment, senior protection and controls (P&C) design engineer Scott Walker, adds a further 20 years of experience to the team. His role will involve developing and reviewing technical specifications and drawings as well as aligning engineering deliverables with project requirements.
Richard Furniss, senior design manager at Smith Brothers power system design, noted, “As our reputation as an ICP and EPC specialist flourishes, we are finding that clients which enlist us for complex connection projects also require extensive studies and expert design skills – including civil and structural alongside core electrical.
“With a large number of high voltage connection projects currently in planning, design and construction, the demand for electrical design services has grown exponentially and we’re proud to be able to further enhance our offering and overall service to clients with these latest appointments.”
Despite having already hired four new people, Smith Brothers is set to go further. The firm confirmed that it is still recruiting for high voltage cable jointers and electrical fitters. That’s thanks to several significant project wins, proving that the electrical industry is recovering after the Covid-19 lockdown.