These appointments reflect the ASFP’s continued focus on supporting its members through high-quality training, robust technical guidance, and industry leadership in the post-Grenfell landscape.

Akim Makumbi – Technical Associate

Akim’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for the ASFP in terms of our technical output, with the launch of technical groups, namely TG11 - Risk Assessment, TG12 - Design, and TG14 - Passive fire protection for the External Envelope as well as the publication and ongoing updates of ASFP Green Book (Fire Doors), Clear Book (Fire Resistant Glazing), ASFP Purple Book (Fire Resisting Partitions), Yellow Book (Fire Protection for Structural Steel in Buildings), Grey Book (EN Fire Dampers), ASFP Design Guide for Passive Fire Protection, ASFP Gold Book (Golden Thread), Orange Book (Reaction to Fire), Niall’s (Fire Risk Assessment Guide). As such, the ASFP requires significant internal resource to cater to our members with technical support, all the while developing frameworks for best practice and guidance for the wider sector.

Akim brings professional experience from roles across the intumescent and protective coatings sector, construction, project management, and mechanical engineering. Prior to joining ASFP, Akim worked as Technical Services Advisor at Sherwin Williams, and Technical Services Consultant at Sika before that. Having qualified in Architectural Technology, and working on various large-scale contracts early on including the repair works and refurbishment scheme of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Akim brings a wealth of on-site and technical experience from both globally recognised companies and large-scale UK construction projects.

Akim’s focus will be on technical compliance, quality assurance, and supporting industry alignment with recognised standards and best practice. His appointment is necessary to support our wider technical Team, Andrew Taylor and Niall Rowan, to develop new guidance (with Niall’s Fire Risk Assessment guide imminent for publication), as well as auditing our current technical documents to match a new ASFP CRM and website. His appointment will also create faster turnaround times for member support with technical queries.

“My core mission in this new chapter is to help bring more awareness and bridge the technical skills gaps with other niche & innovative industries in line with fire engineering products & systems, construction, quality assurance, and compliance.”

With Akim’s expertise, we can strengthen our support of the passive fire sector and continue to lead the way in creating more competence across the wider built environment.

Nathan Hassall - Training Officer

Nathan’s appointment arrives during a transitional period for the training department. Following Phil Brownhill’s departure from the ASFP, having set the foundations for our training courses both in the classroom and online, 2026 sets a significant challenge for us to deliver industry-recognised training on the scale that’s required.

In response to the raised demand, our training department is now the largest and most robust it has ever been, both in delivery and customer support.  With the appointment of Nathan, we will be able to remedy the gap in new programme development and utilise his expertise to bolster our training offering - with new online courses, improvement of current classroom offerings, and more on-site training across the UK.  

Bringing over a decade of industry experience across site-based and management roles, Nathan began his career as an apprentice carpenter more than 10 years ago after graduating in Construction Management. Since then, he has spent the last five years working in contracts and site management, gaining a strong practical understanding of the challenges faced by contractors, installers, and dutyholders. Prior to the ASFP, Nathan worked as Assistant Contracts Manager at ASFP Member Novus Property Solutions. His first-hand experience of the challenges faced by professionals across the passive fire sector makes him perfectly suited to deliver technical training with a level of authenticity, understanding, and the ability to provide real-world context to our technical training.

“I’m thrilled to join the ASFP as a Training Officer. My goal is to support individuals and organisations in navigating the complexities of our industry by promoting clarity and best practice. I look forward to delivering our core curriculum while also developing and refining new courses to ensure our training remains world-class. I’d like to thank the ASFP for this opportunity and my professional network for their ongoing support. I’m excited to play an active role in the future growth and success of the passive fire protection sector.”

Nadine Saxon, ASFP Operations Director spoke on these new appointments, adding:

“Akim and Nathan join us at a key point in our growth. Their experience and fresh perspectives will help us deliver our expanding technical and training agenda and ensure we continue to support our members with real quality and impact.”

With strengthened resources across its technical and training functions, the ASFP will continue to play a vital role in raising standards, improving competence, and supporting a safer built environment.