I have over 25 years experience within the construction industry working for both local authority and private organisations involved with the design and construction of a variety of domestic, commercial and industrial construction projects.  I later specialised in building engineering with particular interest in the maintenance,  conversion and adaption of historic buildings.  Notable projects that I have been associated with include listed buildings conversion projects such as Felixstowe Rail Station, Princess Street Warehouses in Ipswich, and  Highbury Square, London.  I moved into full-time teaching with input into level 2/3 vocational courses in construction and its related areas.  As Curriculum Leader in Construction I have taught on a range of construction and civil engineering related courses including National/Higher Certificates/ Diplomas in Construction, Access at the South East Essex College.   During this period I have also had a number of secondments into industry including short spells of work in with contractors Costains and consultants Maunsell.  

Programme Leader new Foundation Degrees in Civil Engineering, Construction Management and Civil Engineering Surveying. 
I am also  involved in developing UEL's employer links which includes overeeing work based learning placements and co-ordinating site visits & guest speakers.

 My first degree was in Civil Engineering which I obtained from the City University,  with a masters degree in the Conservation of Buildings obtained from Anglia Ruskin University.  I have also postgraduate qualifications in management and teaching. 
With my interest in historic buildings and their conservation, I am interested in environmental and energy issues of upgrading our current building stock.  I have undertaken research into the  structural adaption & alterations of historic and listed buildings, their building pathology and the use of traditional construction materials and skills.
With regard to modern methods of construction I am interested in the use of off-site construction methods and procesess to conserve resources and improve productivity; this also includes the sustainablility of modern construction materials and their appropriate re-use.

FDSc. in Civil Engineering, Construction Management and Civil Engineering Surveying.
BSc in Civil Engineering
BEng in Civil Engineering

CE1212 Work Based Study / Project
CE1211 Geomatics & Construction
CE1213 Construction Technology
CE2219 Construction Science
CE3208 Building Engineering

In 2006-7 I co-authored  two text books for Harcourt Publishers, under their Heinemann label: 
'Construction, Building Services Engineering and Civil Engineering' by Topliss S, Hurst M & Skarratt G ISBN 978-0-435499-24-2
'Construction, Building Services Engineering and Civil Engineering - Assessment & Delivery Resource' by Topliss S, Hurst M & Skarratt G ISBN 978-0-435499-25-9
These are for the level 3 BTEC National Suite of Construction courses which including the Diploma, Certificate & Award.

I have been involved in a number of research projects which include:

Preliminary investigation into the failure of the south nave wall plinth at St. Leonard’s Church, Southminster, Essex in February 2002.

Outline design proposals for the improvement of Southminster Village Centre conservation area in conjunction with Maldon Council as part of the re-generation HERS scheme initiative in June  2002

Report into facilities management for the Priory Park Museum, a grade I  listed building , in Southend-On-Sea, Essex in conjunction with Southend Borough Council Museum Service in October 2003.

I have also undertaken research into the use of e-communication within the design and construction process, particularly with regard to the specification & construction of buildings. 

Incorporated Member of the Chartered Institute of Building
Member of the Institute for learning
Edexcel External Verifier for NQF in Construction
Educational Consultant for the  Heritage Information Trust
I am a trustee of the Heritage Infromation Trust.  A charitable organisation established to promote the care & protection of historic buildings.