Fire Engineering graduate Mark Egan: Igniting success in Fire Safety and Consulting

UCLan BEng (Hons) Fire Engineering graduate, Mark Egan, has used his firefighting career and expertise to set up his own business, Omega Fire Engineering.

Mark has always wanted to be a firefighter. Once he turned 18 years old, he applied to join the fire service, only to be rejected because he was too small, despite completing the physical assessment. Determined not to give up on his dream, Mark reapplied when he was 21 after finding out that the height restrictions had been dropped, and was accepted into the service. Mark wanted to progress his learning and create new opportunities for himself within the fire service and chose the Fire Engineering degree course at UCLan. He completed his studies alongside working full-time in his firefighting duties.

Following graduation in 2002, Mark continued working at the fire service for a number of years before emigrating to New Zealand where he worked as a fire engineer for the New Zealand Fire Service. After two years of working abroad, Mark returned to the UK to be a fire engineering consultant at a multi-disciplinary consultancy where his work took him to Manchester and Dubai.

In 2009, Mark set up his own company, Omega Fire Engineering, alongside two business partners. Mark was the Director of Fire Engineering at the company and his role was to work on a wide range of high profile buildings across a multitude of sectors all over the UK. As the director, Mark managed a team of fire engineers and liaised directly with clients and design teams to ensure that the fire engineering strategies they develop were implemented correctly.

The company also employed UCLan graduates who had completed an undergraduate degree or a master’s course in Fire Engineering. They also sponsor student prizes on UCLan’s Fire Engineering courses. Additionally, Mark has been the Chairman of the Lancashire Group of the Institution of Fire Engineers.

"I met a lot of great people who I still talk to now. Without studying at UCLan, I would not have had the skills or the confidence to pursue the career I have."

BEng (Hons) Fire Engineering Alumnus, Mark Egan

In 2019, Mark successfully sold his Fire Engineering Company to BB7 Group, the UK's Largest Fire Engineering Consultancy Group. Following a decade of dedicated effort in building and nurturing the business, Mark sensed that the timing was optimal for this strategic move. As part of the agreement, Mark and his business partners gracefully exited the company during the summer of 2021.

After a well-deserved 15-month hiatus, Mark received an invitation to re-join the company in a new capacity – that of Commercial Director. Embracing this role on a part-time basis, Mark now finds himself striking the perfect balance. This arrangement allows him to leverage his extensive experience while simultaneously enjoying a fulfilling work-life equilibrium.

When asked to give advice to perspective students pursuing a Fire Engineering course, Mark said: “Work hard, study, aim high and you will achieve success.”

Mark Egan, BEng (Hons) Fire Engineering graduate
Mark Egan, BEng (Hons) Fire Engineering graduate

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