The Team

Our team of highly qualified chemical engineers have a broad range of expertise and over 100 years of experience. We provide our clients with a range of professional engineering solutions from advice to delivery of turnkey projects. When considering your next project please give us a call.

Click on a team members photo to see their bios.

Engineering team:

Scott Allen

Professor
CEng FIChemE
Managing Director

Martin Smith

CEng MIChemE
Engineering Director

Angela Turnbull

CEng MIChemE
Lead Process Drawings Engineer

Laura Beattie

Office Manager

Bobby Stewart

MEng AMIChemE
Lead Process Design Engineer

Geoff Nisbet

MEng CEng MIChemE
Lead Process Design Enginee

Darren Draper

BSc (Hons) MSc (Dist.) MIET
Lead Project Support Engineer

Gordon Coull

CEng MIChemE
Senior Process Design Engineer

Andrew Gold Neilson

CEng FIChemE
Process Consultant

Scott Phillips

Project Engineer

Michael Walker

MEng AMIChemE
Process Design Engineer

Catriona MacDonald

MEng AMIChemE
Process Design Engineer

Ronan Iffla

MEng AMIChemE
Process Design/Safety Engineer

Alexandra Smiley

MEng
Graduate Process Design Engineer

Sandra Allen

Speyside Office Manager

Process Safety:

Daniel D`Arcy-Kernan

MEng CEng MIChemE
Lead Process Safety Engineer

Hamish McMullan

MEng AMIChemE
Process Safety Engineer

We also have a network of specialist engineers in the areas of thermal processes, nozzle selection for CIP, and effluent treatment. We work with these people as required to deliver the best technical solution for your process.

We have a close relationship with local Universities (Strathclyde, Herriot-Watt, Edinburgh) and every year offer students the opportunities for work placements of final year project work.

Dr. Bill Allen & Stephen Ryde – our founders

Bill Allen, a retired Chemical Engineer, launched Allen Associates in 1994 designing CIP and yeast systems for distilleries. One of his first projects was for Diageo at Benrinnes distillery in Speyside. In 1999 Stephen Ryde, also a Chemical Engineer and a great friend and colleague joined Bill and the company became limited. Sadly both Bill and Steve have passed away however the business they laid the foundations for is still thriving.

Scott Allen

Professor
CEng FIChemE
Managing Director

After graduating from the University of Strathclyde with a degree in Chemical and Process Engineering, Scott held positions at several global firms before joining Allen Associates in 2001. He was appointed Managing Director in 2006.

In 2015 he was awarded a Fellowship of the Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) and in 2017 he was appointed Visiting Professor at the University of Strathclyde’s Department of Chemical & Process Engineering. Scott’s role in the business is working at the conceptual end of the project lifecycle, working with clients to define their project requirements, and preparing both design reports and proposals for client engagement.

In his spare time Scott enjoys family life, football, cycling and is a keen mountaineer where he is a qualified mountain guide. Perhaps not surprisingly he also has a passion for whisky.

Martin Smith

Engineering Director
MEng CEng MIChemE

Martin joined Allen Associates in 2004 following completion of a Masters in Chemical Engineering from the University of Strathclyde.

He is a Chartered Chemical Engineer and Engineering Director at Allen Associates, where he oversees all process safety work and the development of all distilled spirit designs from first P&ID development through to commissioning and handover. He also supports the technical and professional development of the engineering team.

When not working Martin plays tennis competitively for three teams across central Scotland, follows Hamilton Accies and also enjoys going out for walks with his Standard Poodle, Remy. He is a whisky enthusiast and over the years has built up a sizeable collection of single malts.

Angela Turnbull

Engineering Manager
CEng MIChemE

Angela attained her MEng in Chemical and Process Engineering from the University of Strathclyde before qualifying as a Chartered Chemical Engineer.

Starting as a process design engineer at Allen Associates, she is now Engineering Manager with responsibility for coordinating all projects. She has particular expertise in 2D and 3D CAD technology and works closely with the Engineering Director to develop distillery P&IDs and layouts, in addition to her project delivery management role.

Away from work, Angela’s time is largely taken up with her magnificent Newfoundland dog, Jorji, who is trained in water rescue. When not out walking or swimming, Angela also enjoys a spot of DIY in the house and garden.

Laura Beattie

Office Manager

Laura joined Allen Associates in 2014, bringing a wealth of leadership and training experience to the company.

As Office Manager, she is responsible for the smooth running of the office with her responsibilities covering multiple areas including HR, accounts, ISO and events.

Away from work Laura loves the great outdoors and can often be found walking, running and cycling. On the rare occasions she gets to put her feet up, she enjoys a trip to the cinema.

Bobby Stewart

Lead Process Design Engineer
MEng AMIChemE

Bobby joined Allen Associates directly from the University of Strathclyde where he gained a Masters in Chemical and Process Engineering.

As lead process engineer, Bobby has worked with numerous high profile clients in the UK and overseas where he has been responsible for taking projects from initial design, leading through detailed design to implementation. Specialist areas include front end engineering design studies and project support.

A keen golfer, Bobby also spends his spare time following the football and appreciating a fine dram or two at whisky tastings.

Geoff Nisbet

Lead Process Design Engineer
MEng CEng MIChemE

Geoff joined Allen Associates from the University of Strathclyde where he graduated with a Masters in Chemical and Process Engineering.

As lead process design engineer, he is responsible for taking projects from initial design, leading through detailed design to implementation. He liaises directly with clients and works closely with the wider design team throughout the lifecycle of each project. He is also directly involved in the technical development of process engineers within the Allen Associates team.

When not working Geoff likes the great outdoors and can often be found sea kayaking, cycling, skiing and hillwalking.

Darren Draper

Lead Project Support Engineer
MEng AMIChemE

Darren joined Allen Associates in 2024 following a long career in Complex Systems Engineering and Integration. Upon completion of his university studies he worked in the Construction Industry, followed by a period in Academia before moving into the Aerospace & Defense Industry. During the latter, he contributed to the development and delivery of the Royal Navy Merlin helicopter and its Training School based at RNAS Culdrose, Cornwall. On his return to Scotland, he worked on both Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers and most recently the Canadian Halifax Class destroyer.

When not working Darren loves walking his Standard Poodle Mylo, playing squash, mountain biking and skiing with his family. As a father of four children, who all play sport, and when time allows it, he likes to sit down and enjoy a single malt whisky.

Gordon Coull

Senior Process Design
CEng MIChemE

Gordon joined Allen Associates in 2008 following completion of his Masters in Chemical Engineering from the University of Strathclyde. He qualified as a Chartered Chemical Engineer in 2014.

Specialising in computer aided design, Gordon – as part of the drawing team – is at the forefront of the development of advanced 3D modelling and virtual reality for project visualisation in distilled spirits. In the past he has worked on notable projects such as the Glenmorangie’s bottling facility in Livingston, the expansion and automation of Edrington’s Great Western Road bottling facility and the new filling store for Macallan Distillery.

Outside of work Gordon enjoys spending time with the family, going for walks with his dog and helping to look after his wife’s two horses.

Andrew Gold Neilson

Process Consultant
CEng FIChemE

Andrew has consulted for Allen Associates since 2016.

A Chemical and process engineering honours graduate of Strathclyde University, he brings 35 years of experience in the detailed design, installation and commissioning of large scale, pharmaceutical, chemical, food and drink process plants.

He supports the management team, working primarily in early project development. His key technical interest is in modelling of complex distillation, extraction and heat exchange processes using Aspentech process simulators.

When not designing, or tinkering on the guitar, he can be found running around the tracks and trails of the central belt with his dogs.

Scott Phillips

Project Engineer

Before joining Allen Associates, Scott spent seven years working in the oil and gas industry in the UK and overseas, firstly as install technician for new petrol station installations in Sydney, Australia and latterly as project engineer for offshore helifuel systems.

As project engineer at Allen Associates, he is involved in project installations and commissioning for distillery clients across the globe. Responsibilities include overseeing on site mechanical and control install to ensure AA design is being implemented correctly, and design commission prior to handover to client.

In his spare time Scott enjoys football, music and travelling.

Michael Walker

Process Design Engineer
MEng AMIChemE

Michael joined Allen Associates upon graduating from Strathclyde University with a Masters in Chemical and Process Engineering.

As the process engineer at Allen Associates, he assists with the initial design through to detailed design, whilst working closely with suppliers and clients.

A passionate cyclist, you can find him most weekends along country lanes with his fellow roadies. When not cycling you can find him partaking in some kind of sport in the great outdoors.

Catriona MacDonald

Process Design Engineer

Catriona completed two internships with Allen Associates before graduating from the University of Strathclyde with a master’s degree in chemical engineering and subsequently joined the company as a graduate process design engineer.

As part of the Allen Associates team Catriona, in addition to working on exciting new distillery designs and expansions, also continues to develop her work on energy saving, the basis of her master’s thesis, working towards the ultimate goal of net zero distilling.

When not working she is most likely playing netball and has represented Scotland at 8 age-group European Championships and a World Youth Netball Cup. Catriona is currently playing for the Sirens Development Squad and also enjoys being active outdoors – hillwalking, sailing and skiing.

Ronan Iffla

MEng AMIChemE
Process Design/Safety Engineer

Ronan joined Allen Associates after graduating from Heriot-Watt University with a Master’s in Chemical Engineering and gaining some experience in the drinks industry. In his master’s thesis, Ronan chose to research improving the sustainability of the whisky production process.

As a process engineer at Allen Associates, he assists in the process safety work carried out by the company such as HAZOP, LOPA, DSEAR and other safety reports. He also assists in the varying design stages of new and existing distillery projects.

In his spare time Ronan goes to the gym, plays basketball with his friends and enjoys an occasional dram.

Alexandra Smiley

MEng
Graduate Process Design Engineer

Alexandra graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a Master’s in Chemical Engineering and joined Allen Associates in 2025 following an internship at the consultancy.

As a graduate process design engineer, Alexandra assists with process design and safety work as well as energy projects which was the basis of her masters thesis on net zero distilling. In her spare time, Alexandra enjoys going to gigs and trying out new restaurants.

Daniel D`Arcy-Kernan

Lead Process Safety Engineer
MEng CEng MIChemE

Following the award of Masters in Chemical Engineering from the University of Strathclyde, Daniel joined Allen Associates as process design engineer before latterly taking on the role of process safety engineer.

He is an accredited HAZOP and LOPA Chairman and has carried out studies for clients internationally, including projects in Australia, New York and Finland. In addition to his functional safety work, he has also carried out DSEAR audits on multiple sites throughout the UK and further afield.

A keen musician, Daniel has recorded several songs and performed in venues across Scotland’s central belt as lead guitarist in a local band. He also likes to take his work home and can occasionally be found ‘quality testing’ some of his client’s products. He is a keen hillwalker and also enjoys a spot of amateur astronomy.

Hamish McMullan

Process Safety Engineer
MEng AMIChemE

During university, Hamish acquired experience within whisky operations and project management over several summer placements. He graduated with a Masters in Chemical Engineering from the University of Strathclyde and joined Allen Associates following an internship at the consultancy.

Having previously assisted with the completion of safety projects, Hamish now works closely with the Process Safety Specialist. As a graduate safety engineer at Allen Associates, he is responsible for assisting and ensuring completion of safety procedures, including HAZOP, LOPA, DSEAR and Vent Sizing.

In his spare time Hamish plays for Fair City AFC in the Amateur Perth League, and periodically swims for Perth Masters Swimming club. He also enjoys spending time with his dogs and sampling the occasional dram or two.