When Adam Shaw isn’t solving complex safety challenges for government clients, you may find him at the dojo training for an upcoming karate competition or sharing his knowledge with others as a coach.
Adam is a senior fire, safety, and health consultant based in London—and a third dan karate practitioner (third-degree black belt). He recently achieved both British Champion and World Champion titles and has been World Champion on three occasions across kata and kumite. Adam is currently working toward his next major goal of competing for a European Championship title.
We talked with Adam about the complementary skills and qualities that enable him to succeed in his athletic practice and in delivering safe, effective outcomes for Tetra Tech’s clients.
Knowing that the work I do contributes to people going home safely at the end of the day is what motivates me most.
What inspired you to get into your field?
I’ve always been driven by the idea of helping people and making a positive difference in their lives. Knowing that the work I do contributes to people going home safely at the end of the day is what motivates me most.
I have always had a strong analytical mindset and a natural tendency to look for answers, solve problems, and understand why things happen. A career in fire, health, and safety consultancy allows me to combine those skills with my passion for protecting people.
I find it rewarding to identify risks, develop practical solutions, and help clients create safer environments for their employees, customers, and communities.
What do you like about working at Tetra Tech?
As a senior fire, safety, and health consultant, I support clients in identifying, managing, and reducing risk across a variety of projects and operational environments. My role involves working collaboratively with project teams, stakeholders, and clients to provide practical advice that helps them achieve their objectives safely and compliantly.
What I enjoy most about Tetra Tech is the breadth of expertise across the business and the opportunity to work with talented professionals from different disciplines. The collaborative culture allows us to tackle complex challenges together, and it’s rewarding to see the positive impact our work has on clients and the communities they serve.
Karate has played a significant role in shaping who I am, teaching me resilience, focus, and the importance of consistent hard work. These qualities have also had a positive impact on my professional career.
How has your approach to high-level karate competition informed your approach to your work at Tetra Tech?
Both karate and my role at Tetra Tech require discipline, preparation, attention to detail, and the ability to perform under pressure. Whether I am preparing for a world championship or supporting clients with complex fire, health, and safety challenges, success comes from thorough planning, continuous improvement, and maintaining focus when the stakes are high.
Through competing nationally and internationally, karate has also helped me develop valuable skills that directly benefit my professional career.
I’ve had the opportunity to communicate and build relationships with people from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds, strengthening my ability to adapt my communication style and work effectively with a diverse range of clients and colleagues. Competing at the highest level has taught me how to remain calm and make decisions in high-pressure situations, while my experience coaching and supporting other athletes has strengthened my leadership skills and ability to develop others within a wider team.
These experiences have helped me become a more confident consultant, teammate, and trusted advisor for my clients.
How do you balance both a demanding career and an intense training schedule?
Balancing a professional career with competitive karate requires careful planning, consistency, and good time management. I maintain a structured routine that allows me to meet professional commitments while dedicating time to training, recovery, and personal well-being.
Tetra Tech’s supportive and flexible culture has been important in helping me balance these commitments. Being able to plan effectively and work within a team that values personal development enables me to pursue my sporting goals while continuing to deliver high-quality outcomes for clients. I believe that maintaining interests outside of work also contributes positively to professional performance by promoting resilience, focus, and overall well-being.