1. 1
LETTER OF
RECOMMENDATION
Referee’s Personal Details
Family Name: Jefferson First Name: Ian
Nationality: British
Organization: University of Birmingham, UK Professional Title: Professor of
Geotechnical
Engineering
Street: Edgbaston Town: Birmingham
Postal Code: B15 2TT Country: UK
E-mail: i.jefferson@bham.ac.uk Telephone: +44 (0)121 4147972

2. 2
Relationship to Candidate
Please, specify your relationship to candidate:
Professional Educational Personal Friend
How long have you known the candidate? Define your relationship with the candidate and the
circumstances whereby you met.
I have known the candidate since 1990 when he joined Loughborough University, to undertake
his undergraduate programme. At the time I was a sub-warden and a doctoral student. I have
seen Lawrence has grown and developed over the years, and he has always impressed me with
his ability to handle a variety of challenges and situations.
Please give us your appraisal of the applicant in terms of the qualities listed below.
Unusually
Outstanding
(top 1%)
Superior
(top 5%)
Excellent
(top 15%)
Good
(top third)
Average
Middle
(middle third)
Poor
(bottom third)
No
Information
Native
Intellectual
Ability

Imagination and
Probable
Creativity

Breadth of
General
Knowledge

Potential as a
Researcher 
Oral
Communication
Skills

Written
Communication
Skills

Motivation 
Emotional
Maturity 
Works
Cooperatively
with Others 

3. 3
Potential as a
Teacher 
Ability to Work
without Close
Guidance

Please comment on the applicant’s demonstrated capabilities and characteristics (both positive and
negative).
His career has been a mix-based approach having dealt a wide range of individuals/companies
and organizations many of whom have been overseas. His career has seen Lawrence move
from technical work in the Aerospace/Aviation sector to commercial and project management
activities, dealing with strategic planning, innovation and change management. He is thus more
than able to deal with the multi-faceted challenges face in today’s academic world. He has spent
time in Hong Kong and Singapore, and this coupled with his ability to work both within a team as
well as provide leadership are key to make a success in teaching and particularly research. In
fact his industrial background places him in an excellent position to bring a critical added
dimension to his future academic work.
I have some 25 years’ experience working in academic institution, managing large research and
teaching portfolio here at the University of Birmingham. I can safely say that a personal such as
Lawrence would be snapped up without hesitation. I can therefore not recommend him highly
enough to you, and know he will rapidly make a significant contribution in all that he does.