Training, skills, recruitment and retention

Mike joined Royal Navy as a Marine Engineer in Nov 1980 and saw active service during the Falklands War, Gulf Wars and Former Yugoslavia Conflict.

He served on Steam Propulsion ships and Gas Turbine powered ships and developed a wide skill set in the operation and maintenance of propulsion, generation and hotel services associated with military Seabourn activities.

Mike achieved regular promotion to Chief Marine Engineer and undertook management training courses which complimented the physical experience of managing people and situations often in difficult and stressful conditions.

He completed 22 years’ service in Nov 2002 and started with Veolia at their in-build Chineham EfW Plant as a Shift Team Leader (STL) in Nov 2002.  Went through the final stages of build and then took part in commissioning the plant before service commencement. 

He moved to the Marchwood EfW plant with Veolia as an STL in Aug 2004 again through final build and commissioning and in May 2006 he was promoted to Operations Manager.

Mike was promoted to Plant Manager in 2008 and commenced a Veolia sponsored MBA in Business Management at Kingston University and completed in 2011.

He joined MVV Environment Devonport Ltd in Nov 2012 as Plant Manager/ Project Manager and Commissioning Manager for their 1st UK Energy from Waste (CHP) Facility at Devonport. 

He was responsible for project managing the civils/ CHP and Bailing contracts initially but became embroiled in all eventually.  Also, putting together the operations and Maintenance team for Devonport and the Ridham Dock Biomass Plant being built in parallel by MVV.

Installed the safe system of work and all associated policies and procedures for the Devonport Plant.

The plant was successfully commissioned and brought into service in Oct 2015 in partnership with Southwest Devon Waste Partnership under a 25-year contract to process all non-recyclable household waste whilst producing electrical power and District Heating to the adjacent Royal Navy Dockyard. 

Interests outside of work:

Married for 38 years to very patient Wife, Amanda.  Two grown up Sons both Married and now four Grandchildren 5 yrs to 2 yrs

Skiing, every chance, I get but, of course the odd beach holiday to keep the peace.

All things wildlife and ecology focused

Trying to keep fit (getting harder every year) and entertained oh, and lots of Dog Walking!!!

David started with Whessoe Heavy Engineering, then with Coles Cranes, and15 years with Rothmans Tobacco in the UK and overseas.

8 years at Weetabix in Kettering as Process Engineering Manager, followed by Guinness London until closure of the brewery.

Rockwell Automation in Milton Keynes, then Spirax Sarco for 3 years relocating to the North East at Sunderland University managing a 5 year multimillion-pound project for NEPA North East Productivity Alliance. Moving to SEMTA sector skills council, looking after the Automotive and Marine industries for skills. Following this he took up the position as Director of CEA, and still there 10 years on.

Founder and Chairman of Astute Technical Recruitment, successfully driving Astute to become the recruiter of choice in the Power Generation, Renewable Energy and Utilities sectors globally. We provide expert technical recruitment services into the following arenas: - Renewable Energy (Wind, Solar, Battery Storage, EV Charging, Biomass, AD, Hydro, Tidal, Wave, etc), Power Stations (CCGT, Coal, Oil, Gas, Nuclear), Power Generation Facilities, Energy from Waste / Waste to Energy plants, CHP (Combined Heat & Power) Plants. Specialties: Absolute expertise in O&M/ Installation staff, New Project Construction, Commissioning and Project staff and helping overseas Companies set up in the UK.

Originally trained as a Chemist and in Chemical Engineering, Paul has spent over 30 years working internationally in the Energy and Environment fields for both the Public and Private Sector.
His experience covers a wide range of themes including industrial emissions and industrial impact reduction, renewable energy technologies, projects & policy development and delivery, and he has specific expertise in waste-to-energy and biomass energy projects.
As the author of the first EU “Best Available Techniques” Reference (BREF) document on thermal waste treatments (2006) he is well known internationally for his expertise in this area. Over the last 15 years he has worked on numerous projects for the development and implementation of waste and energy infrastructure, as an adviser to national and international governments & agencies, and developed leading international consulting businesses in these areas.
He is the Chairman of the UK Chartered Institute of Wastes Management (CIWM) Special Interest Group on Thermal Waste Treatment and the author / co-author of papers on issues including low carbon energy and resources/waste management, a supervisor of university projects, and author of technical policy documents regarding national and international emission regulation.