Name and role: Michael Donkin, project manager.

How long have you been with RVA Group? 

About 3.5 years.

Describe your career journey before that? 

Professionally, I worked my way up from being a labourer, to a scaffolder, then through to project engineer and now a project manager. Underpinning that academically is a BEng in civil engineering, and I’m currently studying for an MSc in civil engineering and construction management. 

What did you want to be, when you were younger? 

A gardener – high aspirations I know! I just enjoyed watching things grow and often getting to eat something at the end of the process (especially garden peas!)

And what do you think is the key skill you need to be a successful project manager? 

Clear communication or organisational skills. In fact, I’d say both are equally key.

What’s your biggest RVA achievement to date? 

Not having any major safety issues on any of my projects to date – something that should never be taken for granted in our complex industry.

And the most memorable thing you’ve learnt during your career? 

Always be open and approachable to all members of the team.

Describe your dream project

A project where all involved – from the client, to on-site personnel, wider partners and other external stakeholders – are happy with the outcome at the end.

RVA Group is celebrating 30 years in business, with a truly global reputation for decommissioning excellence. Why do you think the company has earned such a stand-out position in industry? 

Because we set high safety standards and have a proven track record of getting the job done properly, every time.

Of all the sectors RVA operates in, which is the most exciting right now? 

To me all of them are. They each provide enough differences to keep your critical thinking and problem solving skills sharp, with new challenges every day, but they are close enough that you can apply proven methods so that clients and the wider supply chain benefit from learned experience.

What’s the biggest piece of advice you could give to an organisation preparing for a decommissioning project?

Get the right team involved as soon as feasible.

What makes you tick outside of work?

My young family – a two-year-old and six-month-old require all of my attention!

If you could be given a plane ticket for anywhere, where would you choose?

Somewhere quiet with no kids – just temporarily!

Which one word would you hope colleagues would use to describe you?

Reliable.