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A specialist decommissioning consultancy has strengthened its leadership team as the company prepares for further growth.

London-headquartered RVA Group has appointed Nick Clark as Operations Manager. With a wealth of experience working in high hazard environments, he joins this organisation following 15 years’ management in the offshore and onshore oil sector.

Proficiently skilled in the running, maintenance, and decommissioning of multifaceted plants, Nick will play a key role in the increasingly complex projects that RVA is consistently securing. He is a chartered member of IOSH, with a vast portfolio of EHS, CDM, asbestos management and quality assurance training, and has helped to form and develop a number of multi-skilled teams in his previous roles.

Nick’s appointment coincides with RVA’s 25th year in business. During this time, the company has completed over 700 complex, high-hazard and large-scale decommissioning, dismantling and demolition projects in the petrochemical, chemical, power generation, oil, gas and pharmaceutical sectors. In addition to providing support for the physical removal of process plants, RVA is also being increasingly called upon to develop detailed strategic medium and long-term redundant asset management plans.

But the company does not rest on its laurels, comments founder and Managing Director Richard Vann: “We have an enviable – yet justifiable – reputation in this niche field, and to mark 25 successful years in business is a testament to the hard work of everyone within our 15-strong team.

“However, we’re here to build an RVA fit for the future too. So, as we prepare for the next 25 years in business, we need to continuously bring in fresh, dynamic talent that will enable us to push new boundaries as industry challenges evolve. Nick is one of five members of a new leadership structure, which will take us confidently into the next decade and beyond.”

RVA is not just investing in new team members. The company is also continuing to sponsor targeted personnel development plans, and has recently implemented a £30,000 cloud infrastructure to improve the efficiency, flexibility and security of the team’s work.

Elaborating on ‘life at RVA’, Richard continues: “Due to the inherently hazardous nature of the sites we’re brought in to manage, it’s never a case of simply appointing a contractor to pull a plant down. There are an array of front-end engineering works to be carried out including structural surveys, feasibility studies, isolation design and decommissioning strategies, before anyone else even comes on to site.

“Then the appropriate decommissioning, dismantling and demolition works ensue, with – in some cases – a proportion of assets suitable for relocation or resale. For us, the more complex the site the better. We have some of the industry’s most skilled professionals in our team who can add significant value to such projects. But they need a robust environment in which to thrive hence the continued investment in the company.”

RVA now has a truly global presence having recently completed projects in Canada, the US, France and the Netherlands, to name just a few. Over the last four years the company’s Singapore branch has also been fully engaged in the management of the three largest decommissioning and dismantling projects ever carried out on Jurong Island, the country’s vast industrial heartland.

RVA has a reputation in the demolition and decommissioning sector of being the ‘voice of authority’ in supporting a range of high-profile clients in the gas, oil, chemical and power generation industries. Whilst RVA has provided its clients with dedicated and specialist support for a quarter of century, it is not standing still. A new Corporate Leadership Team has been created to ensure the company remains current, proactive and energetic for the next 25 years.

The Corporate Leadership Team, with a mandate to develop the company’s strategic, medium and long-term objectives is already having a positive impact on the business by the introduction of a revised operations organisational structure and adding new members to the project delivery team.

The Corporate Leadership Team currently comprises Nick Clark (Operations Manager), Lilia Russell (Business Manager), Mark Taylor (Decommissioning Specialist), Richard Vann (Managing Director), Matthew Waller (Engineering & Compliance Manager) and Ian Wharton (Director of EHS, Engineering & Operational Strategy).

As a part of the Group’s continuity and growth strategy, RVA is delighted to welcome new recruits Nick Clark (Operations Manager), Matthew Hedges (Project Manager) and Jonathan Tann (Project Manager.

These additions, to an already proven operations team, will enable the company to support its clients with an enhanced robust and secure service, as well as providing the resources to tackle new markets over the longer-term.

Following a successful event in December, RVA has been asked to present at the 2nd Annual Decommissioning of Fossil Fuel Fired Power Plants for Utilities Forum in Berlin 2 and 3 June 2016. The full agenda is yet to be announced but it promises to be another one not to be missed.

RVA Group Managing Director has been selected to present at and chairing the secondary of this forum to address some of the key issues surrounding end of life options for fossil fuelled power plants.

The event is expected to be attended by plant owners, operators and contractors.

The Institute of Explosives Engineers recently celebrated its 40^th Anniversary with a lunch at the Special Forces Club in London. It was a fantastic occasion and great to catch up with so many old friends and colleagues. Having served as President of the Institute in 2006 I fully appreciate the importance of gathering as many of the membership together as possible on a regular basis to reflect on the work the Institute has achieved but also to share and enjoy each other’s experiences.

By effectively harnessing the expertise of a diverse range of explosives related disciplines, the Institute has contributed much to the development and use of explosives since it was founded in 1974. Today’s Explosives Institute fraternity consists of engineers, scientists, logisticians, academics and legislators – many of them from the Forces. Overall the members are drawn from 25 different disciplines covering 20 industry sectors.

During my time as a member I have seen many new developments take shape within the industry that have been guided by the Institute in particular with regard to raising education and competency standards. Long may its good work continue.

Faced with the complex and costly task of having to decommission redundant plant? Daunted by all the issues you face? Why not join us at the 2014 Plant and Asset Management show at the NEC from 8^th to 10^th April for an insight from one of the industry’s top experts?

RVA managing director Richard Vann, who founded the company in 1992, will explore the challenges and opportunities of dealing with redundant assets, whilst assuring maximum cost efficiency and safety along with minimum disruption.

Richard will draw on his extensive global experience in decommissioning, decontaminating, dismantling and demolishing plant to lead a seminar on 8^th April from 11.45 to 12.15. Alongside an overview of redundant asset management planning, he will highlight best value strategies, giving examples of projects ranging from a complete site exit to the removal of a single redundant asset from a large-scale, high-hazard, operational site.

He will examine the detailed mix of options available from selling as a going concern or securely mothballing the site to full demolition and will also analyse the issues which drive decisions such as protecting corporate reputation, complying with legislation, selling or relocating assets and ensuring that costs are held in check.

Richard’s seminar will give clear advice to firms as to how to make the right business decision and to judge when is the right time to act. Just as importantly, he will detail the potential pitfalls and problems faced by companies disposing of assets and how to effectively deal with them.

Bookings to attend Richard’s presentation can be made via the show’s website www.maintenanceuk-expo.com You can also visit us at stand 412 in Hall 3.

RVA’s Operations Director Ian Wharton is presenting at the Institute of Demolition Engineers Spring Seminar on Friday 28^th February at the Royal Armouries, Leeds.

A highly qualified and experienced engineer, Ian will share his considerable knowledge of planning and managing international large scale high hazard decommissioning projects.

Entitled ‘Exporting Demolition Engineering and Environmental Health and Safety Excellence’ the seminar will look at how UK demolition opportunities are dwindling and will explore the growing impetus to maximise home grown excellence abroad.

For the past 22 years RVA has been at the forefront of the decommissioning sector and, with over 650 projects completed successfully worldwide, has invaluable experience to share.