HKA welcomes two new directors: Stephen Neilson and Jon Chan

HKA, a global consultancy specialised in project risk mitigation, dispute resolution, expert witness and litigation, has boosted its UK team with two new Directors: Stephen Neilson and Jon Chan.

Appointed a Director in the Forensic practice, Stephen Neilson has over three decades of experience in interior refurbishments and fit-outs across the UK and Europe, with particular focus on the structural integrity of buildings, fire safety compliance and RAAC issues.

Neilson began his career as a Quantity Surveyor in 1993, gaining extensive experience working across the UK, including London, on turnkey and refurbishment projects. He later oversaw large-scale construction projects and interior contracting in a contracting role in Scotland. 

In 2002, he founded the Make It Worksmart Group, where he served as Co-owner and Managing Director for two decades. Under his leadership, the group secured and delivered projects worth over £100 million throughout the UK and Europe, including many award-winning initiatives across diverse market sectors.

His work spans the entire project lifecycle, from inception to completion, with a strong emphasis on regulatory compliance and minimising legislative risk for clients, including dispute resolution, negotiation, and strategy.

“We’re excited to welcome Steve to HKA and thrilled to have him as part of the team. His wealth of experience in project delivery, fire safety, and structural integrity will be invaluable to our clients and projects, and we’re looking forward to seeing the positive impact his expertise will have on our business,” said Bill Haggart, Partner at HKA.

Jon Chan is a Chartered Engineer with over a decade of experience in the design, procurement, and management of engineering and construction projects across Europe, the UK, the Middle East, Mexico, and West Africa. He has expertise and project experience in delay analysis and project management for adjudication and arbitration proceedings with experience spanning sectors, including power, healthcare, commercial, residential, industrial, and retail.

Beginning his career as a Structural Engineer in the energy sector, he then worked on major EPCI (Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Installation) projects around the world.

His on-site experience includes the construction of offshore structures and pipelines in Porto Amboim, Angola, where he oversaw planning, fabrication, coating, inspection, testing, and offshore transportation of oil and gas structures. Chan’s technical expertise is further enriched by consulting work, focusing on structural analysis and design of offshore sub-sea structures and pipelines.

Chan is skilled in the analysis of delay, identification of the critical path, and independently managing complex engagements from start to finish, including supporting legal teams and counsel during arbitration hearings.

“With Jon’s extensive background in engineering, project management, and arbitration support across diverse sectors, we’re excited about the value he will bring to our clients and team alike. His ability to tackle complex projects and deliver clear, insightful communication will be a tremendous asset as we continue to drive excellence in all that we do,” stated Michelle Metz, Partner at HKA.