Peter Braithwaite graduated from The University of Strathclyde, with a BSc (Hons) degree in Civil Engineering in 1975. After two years working for a site investigation contractor, he continued his studies gaining an MSc and DIC in Engineering Rock Mechanics from the Royal School of Mines, Imperial College, London in 1978.
Over the next 15 years, the later 12 with Arup in Hong Kong and Birmingham, Peter developed his skills in geotechnical engineering and mining, working on projects in the Middle and Far East as well as the UK. This included working on, and ultimately leading as Project Director, a 10-year multi-million pound programme to investigate the extent and condition of old limestone mines in the West Midlands and the design and implementation of stabilisation works. Achievements included the adoption of innovative remote sensing techniques to map the water filled underground workings and research and development of a new infilling material, "rock paste", based on waste materials, as a cheap bulk stabilisation material.
Following the completion of the Limestone programme, Peter built up an environmental team for Arup in the Midlands. Under his leadership, the team grew to be 35 strong with an annual fee turnover in excess of £2m. His core expertise was in land regeneration and urban development. His major achievements included designing an innovative reclamation strategy for the £42m Pride Park redevelopment in Derby, which included the first use of a site specific contaminated land classification system. The project won numerous awards, including the national BCIA award for Civil Engineering and the British Commitment to the Environment Award, both in 1999.
For the last 15 years, Peter has developed expert knowledge in the field of sustainability and sustainable development. He has developed sustainability assessment tools, such as Arup SPeAR®, and delivered sustainability assessments, targets and action plans for numerous major built environment and infrastructure projects and programmes across the world.
In 2008 he joined CH2M HILL to take the role of Head of Sustainability for the London 2012 Olympic Development Agency Delivery Partner, with special responsibility for delivering energy, waste, water, materials, biodiversity and environmental impact sustainability targets. On completion of the Olympic Park, he has provided sustainability expertise to a number of major programmes including Masdar City and Qatar 2022 World Cup.
He has developed and implemented programmes to introduce sustainability into organisations, including stakeholder engagement, developing action plans and annual sustainability reporting against targets. His breadth of expertise includes managing business transformation in terms of environmental and sustainable development.
He has particular skills in developing new tools and services, sustainability objectives, strategies and targets for organisations and projects, sustainable development of urban regeneration projects, sustainable procurement and providing technical leadership for sustainability and environmental services
In recognition of his advanced technical and innovative work in sustainable development, Peter was conferred as Honorary Professor in the School of Engineering at the University of Birmingham, UK in 2006. He regularly presents papers at national and international conferences and seminars.