Des has 20 years of national and international experience in geotechnical engineering, much of this related to the assessment of liquefaction susceptibility in foundation soils and designing measures to mitigate the effects of liquefaction. He has a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil), a Master of Science (Soil Mechanics and Engineering Seismology) and carried out several liquefaction studies in California while undertaking his Doctorate in Engineering (Civil). These PhD studies culminated in a Thesis on the liquefaction susceptibility of silty soils.

Des is a Chartered Engineer in New Zealand, and a registered Professional Engineer in the United States, and has been involved in several liquefaction related projects in both countries, ranging from assessment of liquefaction susceptibility during the investigation phase of projects, to the design, supervision and monitoring of remediation measures such as stone columns.

Des has written several papers on liquefaction and its mitigation, and is among the forefront of this field in New Zealand.