People Behind the Practice: Janine Kayode, Associate Director – London
Continuing our ‘People Behind the Practice’ series, this week we meet Janine Kayode, Associate Director in our London office.
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 thinking about a career in our industry.
Continue reading to find out more:
Q: What are you most proud of in your career to date?
I’m proud of the tangible difference my work has made to people’s safety across a wide range of projects. I’ve been fortunate to work across diverse sectors and project scales – from residential and commercial schemes to nationally significant redevelopments, such as the Olympia redevelopment, which I worked on for over seven years, and developments like 99 Bishopsgate. That breadth means the work I do contributes to making society safer in many different contexts. It’s fulfilling to know that our work as fire engineers has both immediate and lasting impact for generations to come.
Q: How do you support others across the wider business?
I support others by making technical knowledge accessible and being someone people can approach without hesitation. I contribute to technical focus groups, help build commercial understanding across teams, support junior engineers with project management responsibilities, and focus on improving consistency in how we deliver work. More importantly, I aim to empower others, especially early-career engineers, to find confidence in their voice and professional judgment. Sharing experience and creating space for others to grow is something I’ve learned is essential for both individual development and project success.
Q: What external roles or industry contributions do you make?
I volunteer as a Chartered Engineer reviewer and interviewer with the IFE, and I’ve served on the Women in Fire Engineering (IFERG) committee. I’ve also spoken on external webinars, judged the WIFS Awards, and supported organisations such as SHECAN. Beyond formal roles, I mentor both formally and informally, and I’m always happy to share experiences or offer guidance to others entering the profession. Industry visibility and mutual support matter to me, especially as we work to strengthen and diversify the profession for future generations.
Q: How do you help others in their professional development?
I help by encouraging people to think independently, reflect on their work, and build confidence over time. Whether it’s giving detailed feedback on a technical report, supporting someone through the CEng process, or helping a team member take the lead in a client meeting, I try to provide support that’s both practical and empowering. Development isn’t one-size-fits-all, it’s about giving people the space, tools, and real experience to grow at their own pace, learning from both successes and challenges.
Q: What do you believe drives your career?
I’m driven by the belief that engineering should be both excellent and equitable. I care deeply about getting things right, technically, and ethically. But I’m equally motivated by how we work as teams, how we support each other, and the professional culture we help create. The impact of our work reaches far beyond technical deliverables to influence workplace equity and societal outcomes, and I want that impact to be thoughtful, inclusive, and lasting.
Q: How have your technical skills evolved since joining OFR?
Over the past eight years, I have grown significantly as an engineer and within a leadership capacity. I’ve moved from delivering individual technical packages to leading fire strategies on major developments. Working at OFR has deepened my technical knowledge, particularly around performance-based design and complex design interfaces. I’ve also become much more effective at communicating with clients and guiding multidisciplinary teams through challenging technical decisions.
That environment for learning and growth contributed to me being recognised as Woman of the Year at the 2021 WIFS Awards: an honour that reflected both personal progress and the value of being surrounded by a supportive and technically excellent team.
Q: What’s one fire-engineering myth you’d love to debunk?
That fire engineering is about ticking boxes for regulatory compliance. Effective fire engineering requires understanding how people actually use buildings, how design intent influences real-world risk, and how different systems interact. It’s creative, analytical, and deeply context driven. Our best solutions come from collaborative design thinking that considers the full building lifecycle and user experience.
Q: How do you think diverse perspectives benefit engineering problem-solving?
Diversity strengthens our engineering solutions. When people bring different perspectives, experiences, and questions to a project, we challenge assumptions and identify blind spots that could be missed. This is critical in fire engineering, where our decisions directly affect how people experience and navigate buildings in both normal and emergency conditions. Broader input often leads to more robust, inclusive, and ultimately better outcomes.
Q: Have there been any mentors or role models who’ve shaped your engineering journey?
Yes, both within OFR and across the broader industry. I’ve learned from colleagues who’ve taken the time to guide, support, and lead by example. I’ve also found inspiration in the leadership style of people I’ve worked closely with, such as Jack Wilshaw, whose calm and thoughtful approach has influenced how I navigate complex challenges, support others, and remain clear under pressure.
These leadership models have reinforced my belief that strong engineering leadership goes beyond technical expertise. It’s about clarity, integrity, and creating the conditions for others to thrive. The examples I’ve seen have sharpened my approach and deepened the way I support others. I’ve seen firsthand how leadership that values clarity and trust filters through a team, creating a culture where people feel safe to grow, and I carry that same ethos into my journey.
