Johns Slater and Haward
With heritage dating back over a century and practising as Johns Slater and Haward since 1949, we combine established technical knowledge with a practical and personalised approach.
About Johns Slater and Haward
Johns Slater and Haward are Chartered Building Services Consultants providing mechanical, electrical and public health engineering design for buildings across East Anglia, London and surrounding regions.
Based in Ipswich with a second office in Fordham, Cambridgeshire, we support projects ranging from small refurbishments to complex multi-phase developments. Our experience includes new build construction as well as refurbishment and remodelling of existing and historic buildings.
Leadership Team
Johns Slater and Haward is led by a team of Directors supported by experienced engineers and technical staff
Each project is assigned a Director who remains involved from inception to completion, providing continuity and clear responsibility throughout the design and construction process.
Neil Fordham, Director
Neil joined Johns Slater and Haward over 20 years ago and has been a Director since 2017, bringing over 30 years’ experience in building services engineering. As Lead Director for both mechanical and electrical projects, he oversees design and delivery from inception to completion, ensuring projects are delivered efficiently, on time and within budget.
Neil has extensive experience across healthcare, education and public sector projects, with particular expertise in complex hospital schemes, including acute and emergency care facilities and modular developments. He works closely with clients and project teams to develop practical, high-quality engineering solutions that meet both operational and sustainability goals.
Passionate about low and zero-carbon technologies, Neil is committed to integrating innovative solutions into new and existing buildings. He became Chair of the East Anglian Region of CIBSE in May 2023 and is a Fellow of the Institute of Healthcare Engineering and Estate Management.
Bawden Burrows, Director
Bawden is a Chartered Member of the IET with a career spanning all sectors of the built environment. He began his career as a mechanical engineer before moving into electrical engineering, giving him a strong, well-rounded understanding of building services design.
He has led projects across healthcare, education, commercial, industrial and residential sectors, as well as specialist and sensitive environments including historic and listed buildings, food production facilities and research campuses. His experience ranges from early-stage planning and sustainability strategies through to detailed design and delivery.
As a Director at Johns Slater and Haward, Bawden leads on both mechanical and electrical projects, working closely with clients, end users and contractor teams to deliver practical, well-coordinated engineering solutions. He also advises the Diocese of Ely on MEP matters, bringing a trusted and collaborative approach to complex projects.
Adrian. Miller, Director
Neil joined Johns Slater and Haward in 2012, bringing over 20 years’ experience in building services engineering. He has progressed through technical and project delivery roles, developing strong expertise in mechanical design and project management across a wide range of sectors.
Neil has particular experience in healthcare, education and commercial projects, delivering systems ranging from heating, ventilation and air conditioning to medical gases, steam and specialist plant. He works across all project stages, from feasibility and design through to site inspections and handover.
As Lead Director on both mechanical and electrical projects, Neil is known for his practical, detail-driven approach and commitment to delivering efficient, energy-conscious solutions that meet both client and operational needs.
Neil Garnett, Director
Adrian has over 20 years’ experience designing and delivering electrical services across healthcare, education and residential projects.
He leads electrical and engineering delivery on complex hospital schemes across East Anglia, alongside bespoke high-end residential and large mixed-use developments. His experience includes power and lighting, fire and life safety systems, security, data and specialist healthcare installations.
Adrian acts as Lead Director on both mechanical and electrical projects, overseeing design and delivery from inception to completion. He is known for his calm leadership style, strong technical knowledge and ability to coordinate effectively with clients, design teams and contractors.
A long-established practice
OUR HISTORY
Johns Slater and Haward has its origins in an architectural practice established in Ipswich in the mid-19th century. Over time the practice evolved, developing a specialist building services consultancy that continues today. While the structure of the practice has changed over the decades, the emphasis on technical quality and professional service has remained consistent.
1890-1945
Through successive partnerships and leadership changes, the practice developed under the names Eade and Johns, and later Johns and Slater, before becoming Johns Slater and Haward in 1949.
1994
The practice focused primarily on building services consultancy, continuing under the Johns Slater and Haward name.
2023
A second office was opened in Ely, Cambridgeshire, expanding the practice’s presence across East Anglia.
1850
The practice was originally established by Joseph R Cattermole as an architectural practice, laying the foundations for what would later become Johns Slater and Haward.
1965
A dedicated building services consultancy section was established, marking the beginning of specialist mechanical and electrical engineering design within the practice.
2004
Johns Slater and Haward became an incorporated company, with a Director-led structure that continues today.
Today
Johns Slater and Haward continues to provide mechanical and electrical engineering consultancy for projects ranging from small refurbishments to complex multi-phase developments across East Anglia, London and further afield. Building on our commitment to sustainable design, we now also offer BREEAM assessment services through our qualified BREEAM Assessors, helping clients achieve their environmental and sustainability objectives from concept through to completion.
WHO WE ARE
A trusted consultancy
We have built a reputation for delivering technically strong and reliable building services engineering across a broad range of sectors including healthcare, education, commercial and public buildings.
Many of our projects are secured through long-standing relationships and recommendations, reflecting our consistent technical standards and collaborative working approach.
We are particularly recognised for detailed mechanical and electrical design, energy performance analysis and the delivery of complex projects within defined budgets and programmes.
Consistency and Experience
WHAT SETS US APART
Our approach combines senior involvement with detailed technical delivery.
Every project benefits from Director oversight from feasibility through to completion, ensuring consistency and accountability. We develop long-term professional relationships with clients and project teams, and tailor our engineering solutions to the specific needs of each project.
With experience across multiple sectors and procurement routes, we are able to provide informed and practical engineering guidance throughout the design process.
Our Values
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Design work is undertaken by experienced engineers, technicians and modellers, ensuring clarity, compliance and reliable performance.
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We work closely with clients, architects and contractors to deliver coordinated and practical engineering solutions.
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We support improved building performance through energy-efficient design, building performance modelling, carbon reduction strategies and BREEAM assessments, helping clients achieve practical, sustainable and efficient building solutions.
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Much of our work comes from repeat business and referrals, reflecting the trust placed in our advice and technical delivery.
Our Projects
HOW WE WORK
We work as part of the wider project team, collaborating closely with architects, contractors and client representatives to develop coordinated and buildable engineering solutions.
As a regional practice, we maintain a close working relationship with many of our clients and design partners. This approach allows us to remain accessible and responsive while delivering projects of significant scale and technical complexity.
Our aim is to provide clear communication and dependable technical advice throughout the project lifecycle.