Russell Burton - Director

Key Qualifications and Professional Status

• Chartered Civil Engineer and Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers (1995).
• Associate Member of the Emergency Planning Society
• B.Eng. (Hons) (2.1) in Civil Engineering, Aston University, Birmingham.
• Henley Certificate in Management (2000)
• Introduction to the Flood Estimation handbook (2002)
• Introduction to Structured Debriefing (2003)

Experience

Russell has been working as a consultant since April 2002 specialising in flood warning, emergency management and flood risk assessments. His roles have included project management, development of training and lecturing, planning and delivering flood exercises, acting as management consultant for business continuity and business efficiency briefs, and undertaking flood risk assessments. Prior to this Russell worked for the Environment Agency as the Midlands Region Flood Warning Officer and Project Manager for Extreme Events Contingency Planning.
For a full CV contact russell@rabconsultants.co.uk

Director -  Bryan Nelson

Key Qualifications and Professional Status

• Diploma in Pollution Control, Open University (1998)
• BSc. (Hons) in Environmental Science & Technology, Open University (1999).
• Certificate in Management (2000)
• PRINCE2 Practitioner (2007)
• MSP Managing Successful Programmes Advanced Practitioner (2008)

Experience
Bryan joined the company in Jan 2008 bringing 15 years experience in flood warning and emergency management. During this time he worked as Senior Flood Warning Development Officer within the  Environment Agency's National Flood Warning Centre, and in addition,  experienced many major flood events including the Autumn 2000 and Summer 2007 floods. Bryan also worked as Regional Project Manager in delivering the recommendations in the Bye Report. He then transferred to working in project management, and is a qualified practitioner in both PRINCE2 and MSP. Prior to this, Bryan spent 5 years working for the Meteorological Office in both weather observation and technical maintenance roles.

Faye Lester - Assistant Environmental Consultant

Key Qualifications and Professional Status

• BSc (Hons) Development and Health in Disaster Management (2001-2004)
• Introduction to Structured Debriefing (2007)
• Flood Risk Assessment Course (2007)

Experience

Faye has been working in this post since July 2006. Within this time she has been assisting with the planning and delivery of flood exercises in Wales and the North West of England, undertaking structured debriefing after exercises, completing a range of flood risk assessments, working on a project to assist the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency in procuring a multi media flood warning system, developing Duty Officer Training Modules for use in the Environment Agency and assisting with development of guidance and a template for multi-agency flood response plans.

For a full CV contact faye.lester@rabconsultants.co.uk

Claire Wilenchik - Assistant Environmental Consultant

Key Qualifications and Professional Status

• MSc Environmental Dynamics (2006-2007)
• BSc (Hons) Geography (2003-2006)

Modules included: Tools for River Management, Lake Monitoring and Management, Tools for Coastal Management, Dating Environmental Change, Geographical Information Systems, Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, Weather and Research Design.

Experience

Claire has been in post since July and has been assisting in a variety of projects including a range of flood risk assessments, the planning of a flood exercise in the North West Region of England, a flood forecasting business case and a national strategy to ensure compliance of operations delivery fleet with the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations.

For a full CV contact claire.wilenchik@rabconsultants.co.uk

John Fitzsimons - Associate

Key Qualifications and Professional Status

Chartered Civil Engineer and Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers (1970)

Experience

John has been working as a consultant in flood risk management since 2006. This work has involved professional advice for the Highways Agency and the Environment Agency. Prior to this he was the Regional Flood Defence Manager for the Environment Agency Midlands Region for 13 years. Some of his achievements include the introduction of temporary and demountable defences; major programmes of Asset Surveys, Flood Plain Mapping and Flooding Problem Surveys. He also introduced the concept of justification for river maintenance work and has been part of major incident management through gold and silver controls.

For a full CV contact russell@rabconsultants.co.uk

Stewart Powers - Associate

Key Qualifications and Professional Status

Chartered Civil Engineer and member of the Institution of Civil Engineers (1972)

Experience
Stewart has been working as a consultant in flood risk management since April 2005. This work has involved the development of training courses, strategic studies and professional advice. Prior to this he worked for the Environment Agency in a range of roles but most recently as the Emergency Workforce Advisor to the Incident and Flood Risk Management Project team. He also spent 7 years as the Regional Emergency Workforce manager and 7 years as Lower Trent Area Flood Defence Manager.
For a full CV contact russell@rabconsultants.co.uk

Charis Fowler - Associate

Key Qualifications and Professional status

• Chartered Civil Engineer and Chartered Environmentalist
• Member of the Institute of Civil engineers
• Associate of the Institute of Environmental management and Assessment
• Associate member of the Institute of Acoustics
• Environmental Partner of Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management
• B.Eng (Hons) (2:1) in Civil Engineering, Nottingham University (1994)
• PgCert. in Applied Environmental Management, Derby University (2005)
• IOA Certificate of Competence in Environmental Noise Monitoring (2003)

Experience

Charis is currently working for the National Trust as an Environmental Practices Advisor responsible for facilitating a reduction in the Trust’s environmental footprint across the East Midlands region. Prior to this role she was a Principle Engineer at JMP Consultants where she co-authored national guidance documents for both the Highways Agency and the Environment Agency. Charis is a specialist in Environmental noise (both monitoring and noise assessments) and air quality assessments. She is experienced in providing Environmental Impact assessments, Environmental Statements and Strategic Environmental Assessments.

For a full CV contact russell@rabconsultants.co.uk

Mervyn Pettifor - Associate

Key Qualifications and Professional Status

Incorporated Engineer (Civils) and Associate Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers (1989)
Member of the Chartered Institution of Water & Environmental Management (1990)
Fellow of the Institution of Water Officers (1977) - past National Chairman
Diploma in Water & Environmental Management (1989)
Certificate in Management (1997)

Experience

Mervyn has over 35 years experience across a wide range of flood, land drainage, water level and coastal management business areas. He has worked on technical design and implementation of rivers/sea flood defence and drainage schemes, operations and emergency response management, and also in management of water and sewerage treatment facilities.

Mervyn is now a Director of Flood Management Support Services Ltd, having left the Environment Agency where his Head Office roles and responsibilities, as a National Technical Manager, included Catchment Flood Management Plans (CFMP’s), Agency Shoreline Management Plans, strategic planning aspects of River & Coastal Strategies, Land Use Development (PPS 25 England & Tan 15 Wales), Building & Development Control and Agency Regulatory Consents incl. Modern Regulation initiatives. He has held a number of senior Project Board, Project Executive, Project Manager & Project Team roles.