The Walker Beak Mason Partnership (WBM) is an independent acoustic consultancy specialising in architectural & building acoustics and environmental noise. WBM is a member of the Association of Noise Consultants and is also an associate assessor member of the Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment. The Consultants are Members or Fellows of the Institute of Acoustics.

The business was formed in 1970 by Dr Angus Walker who developed the areas of environmental noise, in particular the acoustic aspects of open site working (such as quarries, landfill and construction sites), transportation noise and planning appeal work. In 1972 Colin Beak Beak joined the business to enhance the architectural & building acoustics fields, developing the entertainment & leisure areas of our work.

In 1976 the business was joined by John Mason and the Walker Beak Mason Partnership name was introduced. John left the Partnership in 1986.

Dr Paul Cockcroft, the current Senior Partner, joined in 1989 to develop further environmental noise (in particular open site working and planning work) followed by Terry Hallett in 1995 to expand architectural & building acoustics expertise, with particular emphasis on entertainment & leisure acoustics.

In 1999 and 2001 respectively Rachel Canham and Matthew Sweet joined WBM to support both environmental noise and architectural & building acoustics areas with Rachel developing our involvement with the acoustic assessment of educational buildings.

April 2001 saw Angus retire from the Partnership and Colin also hung up his sound level meter and retired in April 2004, although both continued to work for WBM as consultants to the Partnership for several years after retirement. Both still have regular contact with the Partnership.

In 2005 Dr Richard Lyons joined WBM primarily to support the architectural, building, entertainment & leisure acoustics fields.

At this time Terry was the Partner in charge of architectural & building acoustics. Terry had made a great contribution to WBM but sadly he lost his battle with cancer and died in July 2007.

The Partnership continued to expand and in 2007 Dr Robert Storey joined WBM to provide support in environmental noise.

Rachel and Richard both became Partners in 2009 and carry responsibility for the work undertaken within the architectural & building acoustic fields, in particular educational, entertainment & leisure projects, and for the development of these areas.