2023 - Chief Advisor
Providing strategic and high level support and advice to the FCERM and Water Resources sectors.
2017 - 2023 Chief Executive, Chief Engineer and Clerks to the Boards
As below but adding additional roles of CEO and Clerk to the Middle Level Commissioners and the twenty nine IDB/DDCs they administer.
2005 – 2017 Chief Engineer
The Middle Level Commissioners are a flood risk management and navigation authority. This organization also provides consultancy services to over thirty Internal Drainage Boards. Together this covers many thousands of kilometres of lowland watercourse, in excess of eighty pumping stations, six locks, sluices, raised embankments and other flood risk management infrastructure. As Chief Engineer I was responsible for overseeing all the Engineering functions and finance of the Middle Level Commissioners and engineering consultancy services. This included the Operations, the Mechanical and Electrical, the Technical Services Departments and the direct labour force and lock keepers. I have overseen the construction of the UKs largest land drainage pumping station, costing £40M and new offices and depot for the Commissioners themselves (cost £2.4M). As with my previous employer I liaise with partner organisations, such as the EA, DEFRA and councils and produce and manage budgets.
1994 – 2005 Engineer and ICT Manager
Bedford Group of Drainage Boards. Running the Engineers department comprising Engineers, Works Manager, Works Supervisor and a direct labour force. This included all aspects of maintenance works, capital works, health and safety, training and liaison with the EA, councils and conservation organisations for three Boards who jointly maintain 1200km of ordinary watercourse. Wholly responsible for overseeing all aspects of engineering operations, IT and electronic communication and coordination of planning matters and consents. Note that over 100,000 houses, plus businesses and associated infrastructure were planned in Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire between 2001 and 2031 resulting in the Bedford Group inspecting up to 1000 planning applications a year from 11 separate authorities. Liaison with members of the public, farmers, developers, councillors and utilities. Representing the Boards on average at 30 meetings a month. Attendance at the DEFRA and numerous other conferences as and when the job required. Attendance at public meetings. Coordinating 24 hour emergency cover. Working with the Clerk, Finance Officer and Senior Rating Officer to agree budgets and plans for the future development of the Boards.
1988 – 1994 Graduate Engineer - Hannah, Reed and Associates (now part of Stantec) – design consultants in Cambridge
Working on timber frame building design, then reinforced concrete design and finally steel frame design before being seconded to the Channel Tunnel for 16 months to gain site experience. On returning to the office I concentrated on civils works, designing site drainage, then carrying out catchment analysis and pumping station design (for the Kings Lynn Consortium). This was followed by a period of site work as Engineers Representative for a number of schemes including a first time gravity and pumped sewerage scheme (£0.7M) and a tidal piling scheme in Kings Lynn (£0.7M). During my time with Hannah, Reed I was involved in the ICE MERRIT game finishing in the top six finalists at the first attempt and then leading a group to win the competition a year or two later.
1985 – 1987 Student Engineer - Mott, Hay and Anderson in Birmingham
Including secondment to Hertsmere DC to assist with supervision of a tunnelling scheme for 6 months