Introducing Chris Seddon

Welcome to the first post on the Mon Geotech blog. I’ll start with a brief introduction. I’m Chris Seddon, an independent engineering consultant based in Cardiff and the founder of Mon Geotech. After many years working within large engineering consultancies, I’ve set out to build a lean, engineer‑led business that puts technical fundamentals and client needs at the centre of my practice.

I hold an MSc in Geotechnical Engineering from the University of Birmingham and am a Chartered Civil Engineer and UK Registered Ground Engineering Professional. Beyond project work, I stay active in the profession as an ICE Professional Reviewer, visiting lecturer, and member of the ICE Cymru Ground Engineering Group Committee. My core expertise lies in deep foundations and embedded retaining wall design, but over time I’ve broadened that experience to include other retaining structures, rock and soil slopes, earthworks, shallow foundations, and road and rail formation treatment. Those who know me will know that I like to understand the context of the work I do in detail and this has allowed me to develop a broad knowledge of civil engineering and how our industry interfaces with ground engineering. I’ve probably seen your problem before, but if I haven’t we will get to the bottom of it together.

My route into engineering wasn’t typical. Before I set foot in a design office I served as a Royal Marines Commando and deployed on two combat tours in Afghanistan. That experience taught me the value of integrity, selflessness and high standards; qualities that have shaped every stage of my engineering career. In my first role as a graduate piling engineer at Foundation Piling Limited I learned the practical realities of pile construction, site management and logistics from a small team know their stuff and care about the work they do.

Since then, I’ve contributed to infrastructure projects across the UK for both national and local government, as well as private clients. At WSP, I worked on major transport schemes including the HS2 Enabling Works and the A465 Caernarfon Bypass, alongside projects for local authorities in South Wales and the South West. I also developed a technical portal to support geotechnical delivery during the pandemic. More recently, at Amey Consulting, I represented the geotechnical discipline on the Technical Excellence Team for Rail, before going on to form and lead a 75‑strong geotechnical practice spread across the UK.

Managing a large team and being responsible for financial performance was a significant milestone, but at my core I’m an engineer. That’s why I founded Mon Geotech: an agile, client‑focused consultancy where I can apply my passion for problem‑solving and delivering value. In time, I hope to grow the team and put those leadership skills back to work.

A key aim for Mon Geotech is to deliver geotechnical design solutions that are both technically robust and environmentally responsible. I’m well‑versed in steel and concrete, but I’m particularly drawn to bio‑engineering and nature‑based solutions; approaches I believe will continue to add value long after the buzzwords fade.

Mon Geotech is built on three values that I believe underpin effective geotechnical engineering and good engineering more broadly. Curiosity, which drives us to understand our clients, their sites and the tools available to us, enabling innovative solutions. Integrity, essential for building trust with clients, partners and the public. And efficiency, both in the resources our designs consume and in the way we deliver our work. By staying true to these principles, I’m confident we can provide high‑quality, resource‑efficient geotechnical solutions.

I’m looking forward to using this space to share ideas, reflections and, hopefully, spark a few conversations.