about us

After graduating from Oxford Brookes University, Peter joined The Waterman Group. Over the next six years, he worked on a number of prestigious projects before deciding to establish his own practice with colleague Colin Bear. Peter is Chartered Structural Engineer and has gained an immense depth of knowledge in all aspects of structural engineering and building design. Peter is highly proactive and takes primary responsibility for the majority of our projects, providing clients with consistent assurance and benefiting them through his dedication and personal support on each individual project.

Bita Zussman has worked for several renowned pharmaceutical companies before joining our team. Her extensive experience spans property acquisition, management, and business development. At Zussman Bear, Bita manages the day-to-day operations of our office. She ensures that everything runs smoothly and efficiently, providing assistance to our clients and maintaining the high standards of our practice.

Joining Zussman Bear in 2001, Scott Searle oversees all aspects of structural design and information production. With over two decades of experience, Scott has mastered the preparation and production of structural design solutions, construction details, and structural calculations. Scott's expertise extends beyond structural design; he also manages our entire IT infrastructure. This includes overseeing our specialist engineering software to ensure consistent maintenance of our high-quality and excellent information packages for all our projects.

Alisa earned her master’s degree in structural engineering in 2014 and quickly began working on a variety of residential projects in central London. She joined Zussman Bear in 2015 and swiftly assumed full responsibility for handling numerous projects. Alisa manages all aspects of the work, including client liaison, site visits, contractor support, and conducting structural design and calculations. Alisa has a proven track record of working on several listed buildings, gaining extensive experience in collaborating with heritage officers and representatives.

Robert Sheppard, an accomplished professional, distinguished himself by earning one of the highest scores in the history of South Bank University's Master's program, receiving a distinction and numerous awards for excellence in design. He is a Chartered Civil and Structural Engineer plus a Chartered Surveyor. His journey with Zussman Bear began in 2000 after collaborating with Peter on several noteworthy projects. With a specialisation in the analysis of complex structures across a comprehensive range of construction components. Robert has also contributed significantly to the development of engineering software, providing his insights to various developers. In addition to his engineering prowess, Robert is a qualified lawyer and a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

Harry is a seasoned Technical Director with over 30 years of experience delivering highways, infrastructure, and development projects. He began his career in the drainage field in 1988 following his graduation from Newcastle University in 1987, and attained Chartered Engineer status with the Institution of Civil Engineers in 1999. Throughout his career, Harry has specialised in the design of below-ground drainage systems and the preparation of Drainage Management Plans for planning submissions and condition discharge. His work consistently incorporates Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) to align with modern environmental and planning standards.