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MEMBERSHIP OF
PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS: |
Fellow of the Geological Society Chartered Geologist |
PROFESSIONAL HISTORY:
2005 - DATE Director of Earth Science Partnership Limited.
2003 - 2005 Associate of Earth Science Partnership Limited.
2001 - 2003 Geoenvironmental Engineer with Earth Science Partnership Limited.
FIELDS OF EXPERTISE
Desk Based Research and Due Diligence
Experienced in undertaking Desk Study research and providing a scope of anticipated/identified
hazards, investigation methods necessary to further quantify those hazards, and prediction of long
term remedial requirements and cost implications.
Development of a Conceptual Model
Using site derived factual data to interpret a robust and justifiable conceptual site model within the
hydrogeological context of the wider area. Includes an excellent understanding of geological
processes and landforms, hydrogeological interpretation and an understanding of contaminant
behaviour.
Contaminated Land Risk Assessment
Specific expertise in preparing risk assessments for the impact of land affected by contamination.
This can include risks to health, property, ecology and controlled waters from contaminant media
including solid, liquid and gaseous phase contamination. Experienced in implementing the phased
investigations and evaluation based decision making, in line with the Model Procedures for the
Management of Land Contamination (CLR11). Experienced in implementing qualitative and semi-
quantitative risk assessment methodologies (such as Probability: Impact Matrices) and numerical
models for quantitative risk assessments (such as CLEA UK, RTM06, RBCA, SNIFFER).
Risk Management & Risk Communication
Specialises in agreeing strategies for non-technical risk management of ground related hazards
and events. Includes physical failures such as landslides, mining hazards and flooding, and the
public perceptions of land contamination.
Project Management
Project management of consultancy commissions, from scoping and designing an assessment and
investigation, cost assessing and scheduling those works, and managing staff and subcontractors
to deliver the solutions on time, and to budget. Managing the clients expectations and maintaining
appropriate level of feedback. Managing de-briefs with staffs and providing technical clarification
to regulators, where necessary.
Health & Safety
The design and management of Health and Safety systems and procedures for the activities of
Earth Science Partnership Ltd. Includes Risk Assessments and Safe Systems of Work for common
activities and project specific management systems to IOSH accredited methods.
Technical Auditing
Reviewing and evaluating technical reports prepared by third parties. Includes review of factual
finings, technical appraisal and re-evaluation of recommendations.
Management Systems
The design and implementation of Management Systems to assist the monitoring and control of
technical and administrative activities for Earth Science Partnership Ltd. Systems to date include
financial control, income forecasting, work flow monitoring, report delivery management, client
management and project control.
Lectures & Seminars
Prepared and presented a seminar to the Welsh Association of Technical Officers (WATO) on
remedial activities, decision making and risk communication in contaminated land projects.
SELECT EXAMPLES OF WORK EXPERIENCE
Specific projects of note include:
- Desk Study, Exploratory Investigation and scoping of remedial action for an 8ha site once
occupied by a car-parts manufacturer. The site was situated within a complex
hydrogeological setting and was impacted by significant quantities of organic
contamination. The site also existed adjacent to a major river. Comprehensive ground
investigation and Controlled Water Risk Assessment were implemented and a robust
understanding of the conceptual model and the geochemical distribution within the model
was constructed. The quantitative risk assessment demonstrated that the site was low-
sensitivity within its environmental setting and prevented the requirement for expensive
active remediation. - Risk communication to a public enquiry: A large site where housing and educational
facilities is proposed at the base of a South Wales valley in an area already significantly
affected by fluvial flooding. Leading on risk assessment and communication, I derived and
presented information for the public inquiry that would allow non-technical stakeholders to
appreciate the risks, and changing risks at existing properties, in the event of severe
flooding. Our works were essential in allowing the Environment to remove their objections
to the application, and for the inspector to recommend the scheme be approved. -
Charles David Construction vs Michael and Jacqueline Charles: A legal case regarding fill
materials that had been deposited, by our client, on land without permission. We undertook
investigations and assessments to assess the physical and chemical stability of the land.
The case settled out of court in favour of our client, as our reports were key to
demonstrating that the fill materials posed no risk or significant harm and were actually
likely to be beneficial to the claimant in redeveloping the land in the future. -
Investigation and assessment of a large mixed-use development site affected by significant
near surface and underground mining. The key factors of the assessment were enabling
the ground to be stabilised by drilling and grouting of mine workings and to understand the
additional effects caused by variability in the near surface due to open cast mining. -
Derivation of site specific assessment criterion, using CLEA UK, for a site where soils
imported by the developer were affected by organic contamination and had been
categorised as unsuitable for purpose by preliminary screening criteria. Quantitative
assessment using site-specific parameters as opposed to generic criteria allowed the soils
to be re-categorised and remain on-site. -
An assessment of a 10ha site affected by significant underground and opencast mining,
where sensitive development was proposed. The site was impacted by surface expressions
of underground collapse, near surface underground roadways and deeper mining in coal
and ironstone bands. A comprehensive geotechnical appraisal was required and significant
contamination hazards were identified. Mitigation measures were introduced to stabilise
and allow the safe redevelopment of the site. -
Site characterisation and hydrogeological contamination assessment for a 4ha site
affected by numerous historic activities and ongoing use as a transport depot. Buried
contamination hazards included mine waste and a scrap yard. The distribution of
contamination was affected by a complex network of drainage that redistributed surface
waters affected by spillages of organic contamination from the depot. The site also existed
adjacent to a major river.
Sommerwill G.S.J. (2005). The Development of a Structured Management System that will aid the
Recording and Reporting of Model Procedure Information. Dissertation ENT509. MSc
Geoenvironmental Engineering – University of Wales, Cardiff.
