Don Barron, FCIPHE RP, Hon FSoPHE, CEng

Don was a highly respected Public Health Engineer, Master Plumber and Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Plumbers. His long and distinguished career reflected a lifelong commitment to plumbing, public health engineering, professional standards and the advancement of the craft.

Don began his career in 1956, serving an apprenticeship with civil and building engineering contractors John Mowlem & Co. This gave him a strong grounding in both the practical realities of site installation and the office-based disciplines that underpin successful building services delivery, including estimating, supervision, resourcing, design, completion and handover. That combination of practical craft knowledge and technical discipline remained central to his professional outlook throughout his life.

He subsequently worked as a Plumbing Engineer with Norman and Dawbarn before developing an extensive international career. Much of his early professional work was associated with projects in Africa, initially from the UK and later while based in South Africa. He set up an office in Johannesburg for Ehrlich and Wilson, where he became a Partner, and later held roles with Anglo American Mining Company and Foster Wheeler. Don returned to the UK in 1978 and joined Arup, where he spent 30 years of his working life, attaining the grade of Associate Director before retiring in 2008. He later joined Buchanan Hartley Environment as Technical Director and, in 2023, established his own consultancy.

Across his career, Don gained considerable experience in the design and management of projects of varying size and complexity throughout the world, including work across Europe, Asia and Africa. During his time with Arup Project Management, he also acted as a Lead Technical Due Diligence Adviser. His expertise was further recognised through his work as an expert witness on a number of high-profile incidents, including matters involving the headquarters of NatWest and Lloyds Bank in the City of London, as well as other industrial facilities in the UK.

Don was extremely proud of his career in public health engineering. He became a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of several professional bodies, including CIBSE, SoPHE, CIWEM and CIPHE. He was also one of the founding committee members of the Society of Public Health Engineers, leading its Education Group in the Society’s early years. He remained a strong supporter of SoPHE throughout his life and was made an Honorary Fellow of the Society.

Masters Certificate Award at the Mansion House in March 2025.

Don’s connection with the Worshipful Company of Plumbers was a source of great pride. In 2023, he became a Freeman of the City of London and a Liveryman of the Company in April 2024. His achievement of Master Plumber status reflected his deep respect for the craft, his commitment to professional excellence, and his belief in the importance of recognising both practical skill and technical competence. Don valued the Company’s role in upholding the standards, traditions and future development of the plumbing profession.

He will be remembered by the Company and the wider profession as a skilled engineer, a proud plumber, a trusted adviser and a committed professional. His career embodied the link between craft knowledge, engineering judgement and public service that sits at the heart of the Worshipful Company of Plumbers’ purpose.

The Worshipful Company of Plumbers remembers Don with gratitude and respect for his contribution to the craft, the profession and the values of the Company.

Don was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and we send our sincere condolences to his wife Lesley and family.

Author, Court Assistant Martin Shouler