We had the pleasure of welcoming Dr Rob Shortland as Regional Manager North in June 2023. We wanted to get to know him a bit better, so we asked him a few questions.
What is your main speciality as a Brownfield Remediation Specialist when working with contaminated sites?
My main speciality is waste classification and ensuring that materials are correctly classified and if they have to be taken off-site, they are taken to the most sustainable and cost-effective location. I am also highly proficient in the assessment and use of appropriate remediation solutions for a project.
How do you stay up-to-date on new technologies and techniques for remediation?
Contaminated Land Remediation is ever-changing, with the potential for new techniques. Every site that we look at is different, with varying chemical and geotechnical challenges so you tend to learn both on the job and also by attending events and seminars. Events such as those run by Environment Analyst and CL:AIRE keep me up to date with what’s going on, but also the regular regional groups such as the Yorkshire Contaminated Land Forum (YCLF) and its counterparts such as the (ELQF and NWCLF) are excellent ways to stay in touch with both technologies but also people in different parts of the industry.
You also have to continue pushing yourself in your field, so I have been attending the SILC (Specialist in Land Contamination) webinars and annual forums with the view to becoming a registered SILC in the future.
What do you consider will be the most satisfying aspect of your new role at Soilfix?
The opportunity to grow a team and a region for a forward-thinking remediation company.
What led you to become interested in studying geology at university?
I studied Geology at A level and had a brilliant teacher at school who inspired me to engage in earth science and to study geology at university. My final year project during my degree pushed me towards undertaking a PhD in magma chamber processes.
What excited you the most about joining Soilfix?
Soilfix has an excellent reputation as one of the UK’s leading remediation contractors, and the chance to be involved in their growth across the UK was one of the reasons I chose to join the team.
