Tom Bentham
MEng PhD

Lead Engineer

Tom studied Engineering at the University of Cambridge, where he specialised in Fluid Mechanics.  He completed a PhD at Imperial College, London, modelling the dispersion of urban air pollution.

Since joining Max Fordham LLP in 2004, Tom has divided his time between engineering and building physics. He has worked on a wide range of projects, including schools, sports facilities, visitor and conference centres, transport and industrial buildings and commercial work. This work has involved designing mechanical and electrical installations, as well as analysing energy use and advising on renewable technologies. 

Tom is currently project engineer for: the City Academy, Hackney, a large secondary school incorporating a groundbreaking acoustically-attenuated natural ventilation scheme; the New Stowe Project, a visitor centre for the National Trust which rehabilitates a historic building; and the Qatar Dairy Company, a huge mechanised farm which is self-sufficient in energy.

Tom leads the Special Projects team at Max Fordham LLP. His work in this role involves first-principles analysis of unusual and complex environmental and engineering problems. For example, he has studied the wind environment at the Culloden Battlefield visitor centre and recommended strategies for improving the comfort of visitors to this exposed site. He has used a range of 3D modelling tools to develop ventilation and daylight strategies for buildings including the new High-Speed Train Station in Naples and the major extension to the Tate Modern gallery. He also works on incorporating new technologies such as green wall facades and bubble technology into building design with the aim of reducing energy usage.

Tom has also developed an in-house calculation tool for the new energy efficiency section (Part L) of the Building Regulations.

Tom heads up our Energy Performance Certificate team.