Employee spotlight: September 2021

ALPM senior leadership changes

There have been some changes in the senior leadership of RSK’s Agriculture, Land and Property Management (ALPM) Division with Sam Lowe and Dan Thomas moving into positions as Divisional Operations Director, Consultancy – ALPM and Divisional Operations Director, Contracting – ALPM, respectively. These changes have resulted in two new managing director appointments to fill their previous positions. We welcome Barry Wheeler as Managing Director for ADAS Environment and Paul Bottomore as Managing Director for RSK Habitat Management.

EDP’s Derek Todd joins NORAC Committee

Derek Todd, Technical and Quality Manager at RSK company EDP, has successfully gained a position on the committee of the National Organisation of Asbestos Consultants (NORAC). An independent association for corporate members of the asbestos testing and inspection community, NORAC enables members from within the industry to consult on legislation and best practice.

With more than ten years’ experience in the asbestos industry, Derek joined EDP in 2018. He came to the industry in 2011, initially as a surveyor and analyst, after working for four years as a microbiologist in a UKAS laboratory. Since joining EDP, he has successfully transitioned the business to the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 competence of testing and calibration standard for laboratories and is currently working through a transition to the recently updated HSG248 Asbestos Analysts’ Guide. Holding the P402–P404 Certificate of Competence in Asbestos, Derek has undertaken surveying and analytical work for all kinds of premises and asbestos types over the years. He has also project-managed asbestos work for large universities and refineries.

On joining the NORAC committee, Derek said, “I look forward to being a part of a larger cohort whose joint purpose is to make a difference in the asbestos industry. I believe that the change we all seek must come from within our industry”.

“I have experienced all manner of site work from being a trainee to being a competent professional and would like to use this experience to help others and change for the better how consultants are trained, how we work and how we work with other stakeholders in the industry”, Derek added.

“I enjoy hearing other people’s views on issues and I am always open to having my own opinion altered by what other people offer. No one knows all the answers but collectively we gain a better understanding by listening to each other.”

Congratulations, Derek!

RGM’s Thabo Skosana achieves full membership of SAIEG

Congratulations to Thabo Skosana, Senior Consultant at RGM in South Africa, who has recently achieved full membership of the South African Institute for Engineering and Environmental Geologists (SAIEG).

Formed in 1985, SAIEG is a national voluntary group representing natural scientists who practise in the field of engineering and environmental geology. It aims to establish and maintain high standards of ethical and professional conduct and to promote and advance the engineering geology profession in South Africa by engaging with policymakers and other professional and scientific bodies and promoting geology education. Members can get involved in technical meetings, workshops and conferences to support their continuing development.

To achieve registration, Thabo had to demonstrate a professional degree or other academic qualification in engineering or environmental geology and at least three years of practical training or experience in the profession. He also had to be a registered natural scientist with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions. As a senior consultant at RGM, Thabo is a project manager and is currently responsible for projects in the GESS 2020 programme for Shell. He has seven years’ industry experience, working in the fields of contaminated land and geotechnical engineering.

Membership status will enable Thabo to continue his professional development and gain access to a wide range of professional networking opportunities while keeping up to date and informed on the latest developments within the industry.

Simphiwe Mazibuko, Country Manager for RGM, says, “Congratulations on your well-deserved success. It is great to see members of the team achieve and progress. Thabo’s new membership demonstrates that hard work and determination can produce fantastic results.”

RSK’s Roseanna Bloxham is chosen to be Women in Construction event ambassador

RSK Senior Geoenvironmental Engineer Roseanna Bloxham will be calling for greater equality, diversity and inclusion across the UK’s built environment, as she has been chosen as an ambassador for the UK’s largest meeting of women in construction. The Women in Construction networking event will take place at the London Build construction exhibition at Olympia, London, between 17 and 18 November 2021.

To ensure that the industry continues to drive equality, diversity, inclusion and change across the UK’s built environment, London Build has selected a range of influential ambassadors who can represent the extraordinary skill sets and expertise that the industry has to offer.

Roseanna is currently based in Johannesburg, South Africa, and manages the RSK team there, providing training and technical support and managing clients for RSK’s South African business. Previously, she was an integral part of RSK’s Geosciences and Engineering Division based in Hemel Hempstead, UK. In her role as a geoenvironmental engineer, she is primarily a project manager responsible for several projects, taking them from the tender stage through to completion. She also leads the Safety Working Group at the Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists.

In 2017, Roseanna was named Best Woman Consultant at the European Women in Construction and Engineering Awards and Best Young Brownfield Professional at the 2018 Brownfield Briefing Awards – so she is the perfect ambassador to inspire diversity in construction!

Roseanna comments, “I’m delighted to have been chosen as an ambassador for the London Build Women in Construction event. Sustainable solutions and technological advances are key for the future of construction. A diverse workforce of skilled personnel will bring new ideas and initiatives.”

The Women in Construction event is just one part of London Build. The exhibition will feature more than 300 speakers across six different conference theatres; the exhibitions will include everything from ‘meet the buyer’ sessions to a festival of construction.

You can find out more on the London Build website.