The Walker Beak Mason Partnership (WBM) is an independent acoustic consultancy specialising in architectural & building acoustics, environmental noise and planning issues. The Partnership 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 acoustics, in particular the noise aspects of open site working, such as quarries, landfill and construction sites, transportation noise and planning appeal work. In 1972 Colin Beak joined the business and developed the architectural and building acoustics fields developing the entertainment and leisure areas of the business.
In 1976 the business was joined by Dr John Mason and the Walker Beak Mason Partnership name was launched. John left the Partnership in 1986.
Dr Paul Cockcroft, the current Senior Partner, joined in 1989 to develop further the environmental noise, open site working and planning work; followed by Terry Hallett in 1995 to expand the architectural, building acoustic and leisure acoustics expertise.
In 1999 and 2001 respectively Rachel Canham and Matthew Sweet joined WBM to support both the environmental and the architectural and building acoustics areas.
April 2001 saw Angus retire from the Partnership and Colin also hung up his sound level meter and retired in April 2004. Both continued to work for WBM as consultants to the Partnership for several years after retirement and still have regular social contact with the Partnership.
In 2005 Dr Richard Lyons joined Walker Beak Mason, primarily to support the architectural, building acoustic and leisure acoustics projects.
At this time, Terry was the Partner in charge of leisure and 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 Walker Beak Mason to support the environmental acoustics area.
Rachel and Richard became Partners in 2009 and carry responsibility for the work undertaken within the architectural and building acoustic fields and for the development of this area.