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Richard Vann joins 10th Annual Decommissioning and Demolition Forum

Richard Vann joins 10th Annual Decommissioning and Demolition Forum

We are delighted to announce that Richard Vann, managing director at RVA Group, will be speaking at the upcoming Annual Decommissioning and Demolition Forum for High Hazard Process Plants. Taking place on 21-22 March at the Continental Hotel in Budapest, Hungary, the TBM Group event is now in its 10th year of celebration.

Having served as session chairman, panel member, and speaker on several occasions, and also attended as a delegate last year, Richard’s involvement spans a decade. Now, he brings his wealth of experience and expertise as an esteemed speaker, adding value to an already compelling lineup of thought leaders and topics, sharing insight on “Procuring Decommissioning — Safely and Securely”.

Given the growing rate at which power station and even nuclear decommissioning projects are coming to the fore — due to mounting commercial pressures, ageing assets, geographical market shifts, stricter environmental and legislative compliance requirements, technical innovation, and more — it’s a particularly timely topic that will no doubt resonate with professionals grappling with the complexities of modern decommissioning projects.

The event will also feature a diverse range of other topics, including: ground remediation, hazardous waste management, strategies for enhancing local economies post-demolition, and expectations, feedback and lessons learnt from contractors’ points of view.

Beyond gaining valuable insights, attendees can expect to network with industry peers, and contribute to the ongoing dialogue surrounding safety, sustainability, and innovation in decommissioning and demolition projects.

Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with industry leaders and experts at the forefront of high-hazard process plant decommissioning. Secure your spot today.

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Why embracing a culture of safety is non-negotiable in demolition

Why embracing a culture of safety is non-negotiable in demolition

RVA Group’s managing director Richard Vann recently spoke with Demolition Hub about the importance of safety within the demolition sector, and why this is non-negotiable.

In case you missed it, catch up on the article below.

In the demolition space, an alarming number of people believe ‘the world has gone mad’ with safety precautions on-site, suggesting that there might be such a thing as being ‘too careful’ or of creating jobs for the sake of it. 

The reality is, when dealing with the various elements of demolition, there can be no room for compromise. Safety isn’t a matter of excess or choice but is imperative and non-negotiable. And in an arena of such fine margins, it’s important to remember exactly why this mindset is key.

A distressing yet significant read, Health and Safety Executive (HSE)’s ‘Work-related fatal injuries in Great Britain 2023’ report puts things into perspective. Headline figures from the national regulator indicate that 135 people were killed in work-related accidents in the year ending March 2023 — an increase of 12 (10%) on the previous year. A total of 68 members of the public also sustained fatal injuries — a decrease of 20 deaths (23%) from the preceding period.

Consistent with previous years, the construction sector overall had the highest number of fatalities too. A growth of 16 fatal injuries saw the figure more than double (55%) since 2021/22, with 45 cases recorded. This makes the five-year average for fatalities in this sector 37. That’s looking solely at the UK statistics too.

While HSE’s Chief Executive, Sarah Albon, stated that Great Britain is one of the safest countries in the world to work, we’re also reminded that any loss of life in the workplace is a tragedy and invariably avoidable. As such, a safety-first mindset should always be at the top of the agenda.

Physical safety measures, such as PPE usage and handrail installations, certainly play their part, but that’s as far as many people and companies can see. Perhaps more importantly though, proactive safety strategies — encompassing training, cultural understanding and mindset, risk appraisal, and discouraging behaviours like ‘corner cutting’ — can help emphasise and encourage the collective responsibility and buy-in of all involved.

Convergence of minor lapses could lead to catastrophic consequences. And more often than not, it’s the final oversight of multiple that triggers a major incident, rather than one single wrongdoing. For example, when person A did X, person B didn’t do Y, and person C presumed someone else would take care of Z. We should all embrace the attitude that even so much as a cut in the workplace is one incident too many. Otherwise, where do we draw the line?

A similar logic can be applied to routine activities too. Regardless of whether nine times out of ten there’s never been a passing car when crossing the street, what’s to say the tenth occasion won’t be different? It may seem trivial, but it’s true. Routine tasks, despite their seeming predictability, can introduce unforeseen risks with devastating consequences. Mindset matters, and being attentive at all times is key.

Maintaining open lines of communication from the ‘bottom up’ is equally critical. Familiarity breeds contempt, after all. So, conversations surrounding risks should be constantly revisited — according to the scale, type and number of hazards at play — steered by someone with task related safety management expertise, to be embraced by all parties involved in the project. 

Of course, relevance is key. With some protocols and procedures mismatched to the role of the site visitor, the whole ‘health and safety gone mad’ debacle could perhaps be justified. Inducting a visitor attending the administrative area of a power station will look drastically different to someone maintaining the electricity generation equipment, for example. Or at least, it should. 

Beyond the eye-roll inducing annoyance, if the nature of a worker’s role or areas they will be assessing aren’t considered properly in line with risk assessments, safety outcomes could be severely compromised. Regardless of a plant owner’s genuine commitment to safety, attempting to ‘cover all bases’ might result in the visitor disengaging and overlooking the section of the induction crucial for their personal safety on-site.

So, what about reactive safety strategies? The investigation of an incident, root cause analysis, reporting, the evaluation of learnings, and the implementation of improvements are all crucial. But let’s not forget this reactive process is a result of an incident having already happened. While it would be naive to say you can predict every single eventuality, doing what is reasonable and practicable to prevent them in the first place is key for curbing our sector’s statistics.

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Why decommissioning should be considered at the design stage of every project

Richard Vann, RVA Group

Managing director of RVA Group, Richard Vann, recently spoke to Demolition Hub for his latest column, stating the importance of decommissioning, and the key considerations that need to be discussed at the design stage of a project.

If you missed the article, catch up below.

When we’re talking about industrial and high-hazard plants, decommissioning often signals the end of an era. The decision to retire an asset ushers in a complex process of planning, design and execution — a terrain navigated by skilled and experienced professionals. The greater the scale of the site and hazards associated with its operational life, the more intricate the project tends to be.

But the journey to decommissioning success begins long before the first cable is cut or brick dismantled. In fact, it commences at the design stage, where forward-thinking professionals merge vision with pragmatism, acknowledging the inevitability of an asset’s end. So, what are the key considerations that should be made at this stage? 

Safety and expertise 

At its core, decommissioning demands a distinct set of skills that go beyond routine maintenance or occasional shutdowns. Operators, intimately acquainted with the assets they have run and maintained for several years, can add significant value here, with a significant depth of process and plant-specific knowledge.

Handling this element of this phase of the project using internal resources could make commercial sense too — not least if finances are tight. And, in the case of asset rationalisation or complete site closure, involving operators in the decommissioning works that follow could mean extended employment terms for personnel, supporting the organisation’s duty of care if forced to consider redundancies.

Of course, decommissioning isn’t simply a reverse of the construction process. And bringing an asset to the ground involves more than a fleet of wrecking balls. The decommissioning discipline, and the decontamination, demolition and dismantling skill sets typically required for such projects, represent a distinct area of engineering. Involving specialists early in the design process is therefore essential in order to maintain robust safety and environmental standards, prevent abortive effort and cost, and streamline the project from start to finish.

Regulatory compliance

Adherence to regulatory standards is paramount in any project. The CDM Regulations, a benchmark for best practice, advocate rigorous planning and execution. Designing with decommissioning in mind ensures the project aligns with these regulations seamlessly. Allocating a principal designer plays a key role in this respect, ensuring the right people do the right job at the right time. 

While asset owners or operators are not excluded from this statutory duty, the necessity for experience and expertise raises doubts about their suitability. Of course, that’s not to say they can’t take on this role. However, it’s important to consult a well-versed decommissioning team to support with planning and documentation, as well as auditing works throughout, as a minimum, serving as a gold standard roadmap from start to finish. 

Environmental impact

In an era where environmental sustainability is non-negotiable, early consideration of decommissioning aligns with the global shift toward a closed-loop society. Designing assets with an eye on their eventual deconstruction allows for the integration of more sustainable practices and methodologies.

By reviewing hazards relevant to the operational background and current condition of a site, for example, dangerous materials and other complex waste streams, and the extent to which assets are in a known state, can be dealt with in a safe and compliant way. This results in a cohesive output, keeping risk management and environmental, health and safety excellence in firm focus.

Understanding how an asset’s resources can be redeployed when it reaches end-of-life is key too, underpinning what it means to be ‘circular’. Whether it’s dismantling, relocating, and re-erecting an entire structure elsewhere or salvaging individual elements for installation in other processing facilities, an asset should never be designed to one day become completely ‘redundant’.  In other words, resource efficiency should never be an afterthought — not just from an environmental standpoint, but to boost financial advantages too.

Financial prudence

Decommissioning isn’t merely a cost to be borne at the end of an asset’s life — it’s an ongoing financial consideration. Early collaboration between designers and decommissioning experts empowers clients with valuable data. This data, integrated into the design phase, informs budgeting exercises, enabling the accrual of adequate funds for the asset’s eventual retirement. What’s more, it facilitates periodic assessments ensuring ongoing viability, and aids in decision-making processes, such as retro-fitting or asset divestment.

Closed loop collaboration 

The concept of closed-loop collaboration, prevalent in sustainable product design, finds resonance in the construction and decommissioning industry. By embracing this approach, project stakeholders can create a continuous feedback loop, where insights from the decommissioning phase inform future designs. This cyclical exchange of knowledge not only enhances the efficiency of individual projects but also contributes to industry-wide advancements in safety, environmental sustainability, and cost-effectiveness.

Of course, these conversations are already taking place. But with ongoing supply chain dialogue, we can close the loop once and for all.

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Safe demolition pays dividends

SABIC

In case you missed the news, RVA Group collaborated with petrochemical giant SABIC at its Teesside facilities throughout a decade-long decommissioning project.

Catch up with Tees Business below.

SABIC clears way for potential investment projects as a decade of decommissioning activity draws to a close

A complex 10-year demolition programme across SABIC’s Teesside facilities has freed up swathes of land for future industrial development.

Ten of the global petrochemical giant’s plant areas spanning 54 hectares – the equivalent of 270 football pitches – have been cleared on land that could eventually bring new jobs into the area via other interested parties keen to be part of Teesside’s ongoing regeneration.

Prior to the regeneration of the massive Teesworks site, it was Europe’s largest demolition project.

Now, after more than a decade of dedicated decommissioning work involving hundreds of people from across the North-East and beyond, the removal of SABIC’s redundant Teesside plant and pipeline infrastructure across two major industrial sites will finally be completed by the end of the year.

The vast and complex network occupied huge swathes of the 2,000-acre Wilton International site and included important SABIC facilities at the North Tees site too.

The top priority in completing the work was, of course, the safety of everyone associated with the project, plus those working for companies at neighbouring facilities and not least the surrounding public.

That meant every aspect of the work had to be planned in advance and executed meticulously to ensure that any risk was minimised. With many plant structures the size of multi-storey buildings and pipelines potentially still containing a myriad of hazardous gases and liquids, those risks were many.

Happily, over the course of the decade, over 1.2 million safe hours of work has passed – a truly world class safety performance. 

Despite the complexity of this vast undertaking and the sheer volume of work carried out, the project has remained on track and has been delivered under budget.

Matthew Waller, operations director of the engineering consultancy RVA Group, tasked with designing and project managing the work of the six different contractor firms executing the work, said: “This has been an intricate, extensive, and high-profile demolition programme – part of SABIC’s investment in ‘fit for the future’ operations. We have continued to sequentially remove redundant plant from their footprint to pave the way for their ongoing manufacturing excellence, and it has been a privilege to support them over the course of the last ten years.”

Keiron Mulholland, SABIC’s senior demolition manager, said: “The focus for this entire project has been safe execution by design.  Detailed planning and expert decommissioning engineering have been the foundations for the safe delivery of this project from start to finish – no mean feat given the inherently high-hazard nature of the works and the sheer number of hours invested into the programme.

“The team from RVA worked collaboratively with both the SABIC team and all of the Principal Contractors to meet the project business drivers of an excellent EHS performance, within the sanctioned budget and in line with the agreed schedule – a marvellous achievement and one everyone involved in the project should be proud of.”

The scale and complexity of the job is apparent in the statistics:

  • The demolition of two of the largest distillation columns in Europe at 110m
  • The dismantling of a further 25 columns and three chimney stacks reaching up to 125m
  • Removal of 11 cooling towers pulse 50 furnaces, six spheres and more than 100 storage tanks
  • Demolition of a jetty on the River Tees – a job which required huge environmental care with the Teesmouth National Nature Reserve – home to a variety of protected bird and river species and designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest – close by.
  • The retrieval and salvage of 58,500 tonnes of scrap metal
  • The removal of 44,000 tonnes of additional waste including 8,750 tonnes of asbestos
  • All waste managed responsibly and in line with the waste hierarchy resulting in an overall project recycling rate of 98 per cent  

For SABIC, the benefits in carrying out the work were obvious. Continuing to manage redundant infrastructure was a time consuming and costly exercise and with assets slowly deteriorating year by year the chances of safety, health or environment issues increased.

However, there were other spin off benefits that meant the success of the project had wider implications.

In terms of the continued economic health of Teesside, the work not only created work for those involved in the various aspects of the job, but also freed up valuable land at Wilton and North Tees for future industrial development – land that could eventually bring new jobs into the area via new investors.

The attraction of the land to those investors is obvious and few locations in Britain compare with Teesside as a location for heavy industrial development. Reliable and easy to access supplies of low carbon energy and raw material feedstocks combine with our unparalleled industrial infrastructure, the “jewel” that is our deep water port and not least the area’s engineering and process expertise to tempt investors.

Not surprising then that the existing industrial sites on Teesside have seen an upsurge of enquiries from potential investors in recent years with many keen to bring multi-million pound developments to the sites that will boost Britain’s desire to move towards a net zero carbon future.

The benefits of the work extend to the wider community too.

From the start one of the ways SABIC tried to ensure that safety remained the top priority was by implementing a scheme that ensured that every safe working day completed would benefit a local charity or good cause.

As a result, thousands of pounds have been distributed across the Teesside area, adding to the tens of thousands that SABIC donates to charities and causes in the area annually.

That aspect of the business will be explored in a future edition of Tees Business.

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RVA spotlight – meet Jack Pierce

RVA spotlight - meet Jack Pierce

Name and role: Jack Pierce – project manager.

How long have you been with RVA Group?

Approaching six years.

Describe your career journey before that:

I worked for multi-discipline industrial services companies on petrochemical sites and a Naval dockyard. Before this, I worked as a project engineer for a steeplejack company, working on multiple shutdowns in various countries.

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

I wanted to be a fireman or in the Royal Engineers.

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

You need to have an in-depth understanding of the project and the client’s requirements. Also, being approachable and adaptable to ensure the project is completed successfully.

What’s your biggest RVA achievement to date?

The successful completion of my first demolition project on Paraxylene 4 & 5.

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

Treat people with respect and be truthful to your word. 

Describe your dream project:

A project that is planned thoroughly and executed on time, within budget and with no accidents or incidents…. in a warm country.

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?

RVA put safety as their main priority. Over 30 years in business, the knowledge and experience of the people who have worked within the company have helped develop a robust IMS, which aids the project managers in executing projects efficiently. 

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

Each sector has its own unique challenges so it’s hard to pick just one.

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

Take time in the planning of decommissioning activities, know the systems inside out, and use the knowledge and experience of people who have worked on the plant.

What makes you tick outside of work?

My time outside of work is mainly taken up being a taxi driver for my daughter, taking her to and from dance lessons and competitions. For the past three years, I have coached at Middlesbrough Rugby Club with the same team from U15s to U18s and I also enjoy playing golf.

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

Maldives.

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

Diligent.

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Decommissioning: the end, or the start of a new beginning?

Richard Vann, British Demolition Awards judge

RVA Group’s managing director, Richard Vann, recently spoke with Demolition and Recycling International (D&RI), reflecting on the past four years working with the publication, the topics discussed, and what he has achieved in recent years within the industry.

In case you missed the article, you can catch up below.

Throughout the 40 years I’ve spent within the demolition industry, and life in general, I’ve never, ever stopped learning. Gaining new skills is, of course, a big one; but sometimes it’s been a simple shift in perspective that’s delivered the most impact.

Many of those mindset shifts have been triggered right here, through the pages of this magazine.

Whether that’s been learning from the experiences of other thought leaders or reflecting upon my own thoughts and opinions as I collate this column.

As we know, our industry is one of a kind. It’s a sector seldom understood by those outside of it, and we have become an ever tighter knit community as a result.

During my time as caretaker of this page, a role that’s spanned four years, I’ve relished in bringing to life and exploring a range of topics — from ‘the role of decommissioning in design’ to ‘the stigma surrounding safety’, and even ‘does 30 years of a role become boring?’.

This passion for sharing knowledge has seen me speak at dozens of international industry conferences, taking the role of keynote speaker at the World Demolition Summit in 2017. I’m also incredibly privileged to have served as a fellow, and past president, of both the Institute of Demolition Engineers and the Institute of Explosives Engineers.

I’ve been a judge for the British Demolition Awards; and now I’m pleased to share, with much pride, that I was recently made an honorary fellow of the Institute of Demolition Engineers. These achievements are forever interwoven with my time spent as caretaker of this page, and in conversation with you, the readers.

I hope I’ve been able to offer readers a sense of encouragement to pursue their own passions, to stand by their convictions and, above all, to promote the unswerving levels of safety that I’ve staunchly advocated for throughout my career. My mission to see decommissioning schemes given equal status to the construction efforts which precede or follow it is, and perhaps always will be, a work in progress — but it’s an area where awareness is advancing rapidly.

The fact is, the potential for danger — and more than that, catastrophe — during decommissioning projects is, as we know, ever present. And this is only exacerbated by a lack of perceived commercial benefit from ‘knocking things down’.

But what many fail to consider, is the level of personal tragedy and professional ruin that could ensue from a poorly managed, insufficiently budgeted, time-limited project — and a complete disregard for the potential consequences. This is something the public does not easily forget and just one mistake can indeed cost dear.

As industry professionals, our knowledge and commitment to the safety aspects of a decommissioning project is what sets us apart from what many, less experienced in our line of work, choose to see.

Often, they recognise only the physical act of demolition — the finale, as they see it. But, for us, the main event comes in the preparation. The many hours of care and attention that ensures everyone involved in a decommission can return safely home to their families.

This is a message you’ll continue to see me champion, as I close this chapter and move aside for up-and-coming sector voices from across the world; people who will, too, help shape the next generation of demolition professionals, as they navigate the complex and ever-changing regulatory landscape of a career within this field.

I look forward to learning from them, just as I hope they did from me over the years of collaboration with D&RI. To those who have kept these pages alive with your interest and interaction over the years, to those who have played a role in my professional journey and have no doubt inspired my written contributions, and to those who still have their role to play in our industry – perhaps we will cross paths, professionally, once again.

Looking towards the new year, I have big plans for RVA – and I’m looking forward to continuing on into the next decade of demolition. Because 30 years in demolition definitely isn’t enough, and you can read more about that here.

So, as I prepare to pass on the baton – my perspective is focused not on the end, but on the magic of new beginnings.

Over the years, Richard Vann has been devoted in his efforts to championing the demolition industry and the expert skills and knowledge of those in the industry, both in the UK and oversees.

In sharing his experiences and expertise in the pages of D&Ri, he has thoughtfully and skilfully provided great insight into the outstanding work that the industry does and into how it benefits communities everywhere, and D&Ri wishes to express its deepest and sincerest thanks to Richard for his contribution to our publication. 

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RVA Group facilitates complex demolition project for French energy leader

RVA Group facilitates complex demolition project for French energy leader

RVA Group, a renowned global engineering consultant, has successfully supported phase one of a three-stage decommissioning and demolition project at the Lucy III power station in Montceau-les-Mines, France. The works involved the precise demolition of a 140m tall concrete chimney stack and a 100m high hyperbolic concrete cooling tower, both of which were integral components of the closed power production plant.

GazelÉnergie — a leading energy producer in France with a diverse portfolio of coal and biomass fuelled power plants, wind and solar farms, and 11,500 supply points — entrusted RVA Group with the role of control and advice when overseeing the appointed demolition and explosives contractor. The consultant’s role included assessing best practices, design, and procedures for the demolition, ensuring the project adhered to stringent safety standards and environmental regulations.

A strategic shift in company operations, including a reduction in coal power generation, coupled with the plant’s ageing infrastructure, had seen the Lucy III power station out of service for several years. In accordance with the French Energy Transition Act, GazelÉnergie continues to invest in sustainable energy solutions, having already reduced CO2 emissions by more than half since 2008, contributing significantly to France’s overall decarbonisation efforts.

With only two to three months allocated for the design and implementation of the demolition and blowdown, RVA Group, in collaboration with third parties, successfully executed the fast track project within the allocated timeframe. Two explosives were initiated within seconds of each other, to minimise the disruption to the local residents and road systems.

Mark Taylor, engineering and consultancy director at RVA Group, expressed his satisfaction with the project, stating, “We are proud of our team’s dedication to maintaining the highest standards of health and safety throughout this project, despite the quick turnaround timescales. Maintaining dialogue with key stakeholders from start to finish, along with our demonstrated experience in cooling tower and complex structure explosive demolition, played crucial roles in driving efficiency, safety, and compliance. We are honoured to contribute to GazelÉnergie’s sustainable energy initiatives.”

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Renowned demolition expert Richard Vann honoured with prestigious IDE fellowship

Renowned demolition expert Richard Vann honoured with prestigious IDE fellowship

In a momentous recognition of his dedication and contribution to the demolition industry, Richard Vann, founder and managing director of RVA Group, has been granted the esteemed title of Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Demolition Engineers (IDE). The announcement, made on behalf of the IDE Membership Committee, is a testament to Vann’s four decades of unwavering commitment to both safety and excellence in the field.

Effective from 10 November 2023, Vann will be entitled to a lifetime membership with the Institute, and can proudly append the initials Hon.FIDE after his name.

Upon receiving the news, Vann elaborated on the significance of the award: “To be acknowledged by one of my peers is deeply humbling. This fellowship is not just a recognition of my work, but a testament to the dedicated team at RVA Group — reflecting our collective commitment to elevating safety and quality standards in the demolition industry. After 40 years in the space, this award will rank among my career highlights. I feel immensely proud.” 

Recognising a void in decommissioning project management, Richard Vann’s brainchild, RVA Group, sought to place greater emphasis on end-of-life processes. He saw that, while construction projects were meticulously planned and executed, decommissioning works were often relegated to the background, marked by inadequate resources, insufficient training, and dangerously tight schedules and budgets.

Assembling a team of engineers and project managers — each a leader in their respective disciplines — he has since led the charge to help redefine standards for complex project handling. At the core of RVA’s operations lies an unwavering principle: the safety and wellbeing of every individual involved. Vann’s dedication to ensuring that every colleague returns home safely every day has become the guiding light of RVA Group.

Under Vann’s leadership, the global consultancy has successfully completed over 900 assignments worldwide, including front-end engineering and decommissioning projects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia more recently. Collaborations with major brands include BASF, INEOS, Engie, ConocoPhillips and GSK.

Vann’s visionary approach has not only reshaped industry standards but has also garnered international acclaim. His hat trick appointment to the British Demolition Awards’ judging panel this year further demonstrates his influential role in shaping the future of the sector.

The Institute of Demolition Engineers hosted a presentation ceremony at this year’s Annual Luncheon on 10 November, where Vann was presented with his certificate as an Honorary Fellow.

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Richard Vann joins Global EPC Project Management Forum speaker line-up

Richard Vann, British Demolition Awards judge

We’re delighted to announce that Richard Vann, RVA Group’s managing director, will join the 44-strong speaker line-up for this year’s Global EPC Project Management Forum. Richard’s extensive expertise in the decommissioning space, coupled with his unwavering commitment to quality assurance and safety, makes him a notable addition to the event programme.

Taking place on 27-30 November, the 11th annual four-day expo will welcome delegates from the engineering, procurement and construction industries to the Leonardo Royal Hotel in Amsterdam, the charismatic heart of the Netherlands.

As well as offering a deep understanding of the challenges faced in managing EPC contracts, the speakers will reference practical case studies and provide strategic project management and leadership training throughout the forum. A more holistic view of the EPC project lifecycle — from proposals and FEED to execution and delivery — will place professionals in excellent stead to deliver more streamlined, secure, and successful works.

Richard’s exploration into how to prepare for and procure a secure decommissioning project is scheduled for the final day of the conference, 30 November, at 10:30am. Within this session, he’ll cover a number of insightful topics, including:

  • Plant shutdown and decommissioning activities
  • The definition of ‘known condition’ and the critical question of ‘how clean is clean?’
  • Comprehensive surveys and data gathering techniques
  • Compiling bid packages and the meticulous tender process
  • The crucial process of selecting the right contractor for such projects

In a landscape where EPC projects are increasingly complex and executed on a grand scale, Richard’s wealth of practical knowledge will prove to be an invaluable addition to the agenda. His expertise also aligns with the event’s focus on bridging a gap between the engineering and contract realms in asset-intensive projects.

Join us at this year’s Global EPC Project Management Forum to gain exclusive access to Richard’s insights, as well as the strategic guidance of other leading lights in the industry. These engaging discussions will not only enhance your understanding of secure decommissioning, but also offer solutions for aligning expectations between all parties involved in capital projects. 

Secure your virtual or in-person spot now, and be part of a transformative dialogue on the future of EPC project management.

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RVA spotlight – meet Jonathan Tann

Name and role: Jonathan Tann – project manager

How long have you been with RVA Group?

Almost seven years.

Describe your career journey before that:

After graduating, I spent around five years as a mechanical engineer within the underground mining industry, managing major projects and preventative maintenance. I followed a very steep learning curve, given the vast array of equipment and intricate systems. I was involved in everything from complex hydraulic issues underground to construction and demolition projects on the surface. 

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

Inspired by the local Sunderland Airshow, I dreamt of being a fighter pilot or flying the red arrows. Having spent a number of years in the army cadets, I had also considered a career in the forces. With maths and physics being my strong points, and having a keen interest in how things worked, I was destined for a career in engineering. 

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

If I was to put one above all I would probably choose the ability to forward think and foresee potential problems. However, people skills are equally important. 

What’s your biggest RVA achievement to date?

Supporting our client Engie in achieving the safe planning, decommissioning and demolition of Rugeley Power Station, which took a little over five years in total — from decommissioning through to completion — without a major incident.   

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

Support and help others where you can, avoiding blame culture.

Describe your dream project:

One with a range of new technical challenges. 

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?

By remaining experts in the decommissioning/demolition field without diversification, focusing on improvement within this sector, and maintaining high standards.

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

I would have to say both the chemical process and power generation sectors. They are both equally challenging in terms of the decommissioning and plant preparation scope and complex arrangement of the heavy structures involved. 

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

Seek advice as soon as demolition is confirmed and organise a strong team to support the delivery of the project — including retaining site knowledge within the relevant disciplines. 

What makes you tick outside of work?

Spending time with the family, keeping active, and training towards my private pilot’s licence. When time permits, I love a good DIY project too.  

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

I like to travel as much as possible, but one continent I haven’t visited is Asia. So somewhere like Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, or Malaysia.

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

Helpful.

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