People Behind the Practice: Kate Swinburne, Associate Director – Edinburgh

To mark International Women in Engineering Day, we’re proud to shine a spotlight on some of the brilliant women across OFR who are helping shape the future of engineering.

In this Q&A series, our colleagues share how they got into engineering, what drives their work, and the advice they’d give to the next generation of women thinking about a career in our industry.

From technical insights to personal reflections, these stories offer a glimpse into the diverse experiences that make up our team

To kick-off the series we chat to Kate Swinburne, Associate Director in our Edinburgh office.

Q: What are you most proud of in your career to date?
A: I’m incredibly proud of having led and grown the OFR Edinburgh office since it first opened in 2017. We’ve gone from just a few of us to a team of 12, recently moving into our largest space yet. Since 2018, we’ve hired graduates every year – many of whom are now in positions of responsibility at OFR and mentoring the next generation. That culture of growth and support is something I’ve worked hard to nurture.

Q: How have your technical skills evolved since joining OFR?
We’re incredibly fortunate at OFR to have a wealth of technical expertise across the business, and our Technical Steering Groups do a fantastic job of sharing this knowledge through their CPD series. Covering subjects such as healthcare, structural fire engineering, mass timber, and active fire systems, these sessions are all recorded and available in our internal CPD library — a brilliant ongoing resource.
One of my personal favourite development opportunities, though, is our annual poster session at the team event. This initiative gives anyone at OFR the chance to present on a topic they’re passionate about, have experience in, or want to open a discussion on. I’m always blown away by the breadth and depth of knowledge across the team. At our most recent event, I attended an excellent presentation and lively discussion on modular construction — a building method that can mean many things and brings unique challenges when it comes to ensuring fire safety.
Creating a culture where technical challenges can be discussed openly and without judgement is central to our values at OFR. It’s this kind of environment that allows people to grow and thrive.

Q: How do you support others across the wider business?
A: I contribute to several cross-business initiatives. Most recently this has included organising our recent Learn & Burn CPD event at the University of Edinburgh. A couple of weeks ago I also co-presented our annual OFR Staff Recognition Awards – which one of my favourite parts of the year.

Q: What external roles or industry contributions do you make?
A: I’ve volunteered with the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) for many years and currently serve as President of the Scotland Branch. Through this role, I collaborate with peers across the fire safety industry and contribute directly to Scottish Government and Building Standards initiatives. I’ve also led legislative reviews on behalf of OFR and sit on the University of Edinburgh’s Civil Engineering Advisory Board.

Q: How do you help others in their professional development?
A: I’m a trained interviewer and assessor for IEng and CEng chartership applications through the IFE, and I use that experience to support colleagues within OFR on their own chartership journeys. I’ve also formed an internal working group to guide people through the process and share learning across the business.

Q: What do you believe drives your career?
A: I’ve followed a career path that reflects my core values: kindness, fairness, assertiveness, and belief in people. I’ve always looked for ways to build others up, especially where they don’t always recognise their own strengths. Coaching has helped me embrace success – and I try to pass that on.

Q: How do you think diverse perspectives benefit engineering problem-solving?
In fire engineering, there is rarely a single “right” answer. The complexity of our work often involves navigating shades of grey, where judgement, experience, and collaboration play critical roles. I don’t believe anyone has all the answers — and perhaps more importantly, I don’t think that is possible. Instead, I think the best fire engineers are those who remain open to challenge, engage in debate, and actively learn from the perspectives and experiences of others.
We have a responsibility to society to maintain and develop our competence. That means being willing to be wrong, to listen and to grow. It also means recognising that our own experiences may limit our understanding — particularly when we’re designing for a society that is hugely diverse. If we want to create safe, inclusive buildings, we must first be willing to understand the needs, values, and lived experiences of the people who use them.

Q: Have there been any mentors or role models who’ve shaped your engineering journey?
I was interviewed for my first role as a fire engineer by OFR’s founders, Simon Lay and Sam Liptrott — back when they were working at another company. Since then, these two wonderful humans have played a pivotal role in shaping me into the engineer I am today.
Though very different in style, their professional strengths complement each other perfectly. Watching them help to grow OFR into the business it is today — one that consistently upholds technical excellence, ethical integrity, innovative thinking, and financial stability, all while keeping clients’ needs at the heart of every decision — has been truly inspiring.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have learned so much from both of them over the years, and even more so to now call them both friends.

Q: What does International Women in Engineering Day mean to you?
A: For me, it’s about recognising and celebrating the full picture. Of course, I can attest to the challenges we still face as women in engineering. However, I believe progress happens when we talk just as confidently about our successes as we do about the barriers. Sharing what we’re proud of isn’t showing off – it’s showing the next generation what’s possible.