About Us – Pittilla Bell

We listen to understand your objectives and work alongside you to deliver them

Pittilla Bell Consulting are a firm of Consulting Civil and Structural Engineers, established in 1967 and based in offices in Chester-le-Street. Alongside core Civil and Structural Engineering Design Services we also offer integrated Project Management, Building Consultancy and Principal Designer Services which Clients can select from to suit their individual needs. By listening, maintaining honest and open relationships, and making sure that we understand what our Clients want us to deliver, we can provide a personal service tailored to suit differing individual needs.

John Pittilla BSc(Tech), CEng, MICE, F Cons E
(Managing Director)

Having graduated from the University of Manchester Institute of Science & Technology in 1977, I was fortunate enough to work for two large civil & structural engineering Consultancies where I built my experience by working on large multi-story structures in both structural steelwork and reinforced concrete, including the Nissan manufacturing plant between 1983 and 1985.

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The onsite construction experience I needed to become a Chartered Civil Engineer, I gained during 18 months spent seconded to two large national building contractors, working both in the North East and in Glasgow.

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In 1985 after completing the first phase of the Nissan plant, I joined Pittilla Bell Consulting becoming a Partner in 1988 and Senior Partner in 1990.

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With the practice, I have built considerable design and Project Management experience within the fields of Education, Leisure, Pharmaceuticals, Health, Industrial Production, Commercial, Retail and Housing.

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As a practice we aim to ensure that our clients budgets are spent to good effect, providing them with real tangible value, a responsibility we take very seriously.

Dale Robinson
BEng, MSc, CEng, MIStructE, AaPS.
(Senior Structural Engineer)

My early career was spent as a Structural Engineering Technician with two local companies where I developed a good understanding of how to fit a building together in a practical, and cost effective way. Studying part time, I graduated from Teeside University in 2011 having been awarded the Institute of Structural Engineers High Achievement award. My next step was to move on to the University of Leeds where i gained an MSc in Structural Engineering in 2012. My chartered status was achieved in 2014.

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As a structural Engineering Technician I was fortunate to gain a wide range of Design and Management experience at a large consultancy based in Durham working on projects with values of up to £3o million.

In 2012 I moved onto a specialist Design and Manufacturer of bespoke steel framed buildings where in 2013 I was appointed as Design Manager with responsibility for managing the in – house Design team, Project Planning, Quality and preparing management updates for the company Managing director and the other Directors. Looking to further expand my all round Design and Management experience, and move my career forward, I joined Pittilla Bell Consulting in 2018. I’ve since enjoyed working in a long standing but still forward looking Practice targeted to developing and maintaining long term relationships with both new and existing clients.

Chris Lawson
BEng (Hons) CEng MIStructE AaPS
(Senior Structural Engineer)

After an initial spell I spent studying Electrical Engineering I decided that Civil and Structural Engineering was more up my street and so moved to a large precast concrete manufacturer, where I specialised in designing bespoke floor and stair solutions. Eager to expand my horizons I moved to a small but well respected firm of consulting engineers in 2007. The firm was able to provide me with varied and in depth civil and structural experiences and an understanding of the need for practical, economic and functional Engineering Designs integrated with M&E systems and architectural form as well as working on numerous Structural projects, I also designed residential schemes where my main involvement was to design the roads and drainage works to adoptable standards.

In 2010 I was asked to join a national civil and structural consultancy and also began my part time degree course at Teeside University taking responsibility in 2012 for managing the structural Engineering section.

In 2015, I joined Pittilla Bell Consulting in Chester le Street having graduated the previous year. Here I have been encouraged to further develop my all round consultancy in a managerial and commercial sense whilst also being responsible for our 3D Design and Modeling capabilities. This fits in with our aim of being sensitive and responsive in helping our clients to meet their aims and ambitions.

We understand that time is important to our Clients and put considerable effort into meeting agreed timescales and working to programme, providing an economic and efficient end result.

Working effectively with other Design Professionals appointed by the Client is also key to our approach. Building design and procurement can be complex and we recognise the importance of communication and co-ordination within the Design Team, in fulfilling the brief and arriving at the best end product for our Clients.

Our Technical strategy involves the use of integrated 3D computer Design and Modelling techniques which, when placed in the hands of experienced Professionals, allows design alternatives to be prepared, reviewed and evaluated to arrive at the solution which best fits our Clients brief.

The 3D software we use is compatible with that used by Architects and Mechanical and Electrical Consultants, allowing us to fit into a Multi-Discipline Design Team and contribute to providing well co-ordinated and integrated overall designs.

We recognise the value of our own people and actively promote training and provide practical experience to develop the abilities of individuals within the Practice.

The same effort, commitment and expertise is applied to all Projects, large or small and all Clients, whether new or established. The majority of our work arrives in the form of repeat business or recommendation from existing Clients and the trust which is placed with us, is valued and appreciated by the Practice.