In 2017, Dean graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering degree from the University of Cape Town – regarded as the top university in Africa. He completed his final design project in stormwater management, whilst his honours research project involved congestion analysis in transportation engineering. During part of his university vacation time, he worked for a consulting structural engineering firm performing reinforced concrete slab and stair design, as well as for an infrastructure contractor, ensuring that water pipelines were properly installed. He also briefly worked for a paving and drainage company in Perth, Australia.

Dean has experience in the construction industry of Johannesburg, where he spent a great deal of time with highly experienced Engineers, Architects, Quantity Surveyors and Contracts Managers across a range of projects. During this time, he learnt the basics of steel design and conducted failure-testing alongside a professional Structural Engineer. He is proud of the numerous steel structures projects that he was engaged with throughout the province of Gauteng.

Dean also has an interest in solar energy and programming, having completed online courses through MITx and DelftX. Currently, he is undertaking training to become an accredited Institute of Corrosion Cathodic Protection Technician. Since joining McFarland Consulting, Dean has been involved in conducting a range of forensic site inspections across Great Britain from his base outside London. In his spare time, he enjoys refereeing rugby.