Following his success at the 2019 Regional Constructing Excellence Awards, our Director of Projects, Olly Jones, was Highly Commended in the G4C Future Leader Award at the National Awards held at the London Marriott Grosvenor Square Hotel on Friday 8^th November 2019. Olly was nominated by his peers at Plandescil in recognition of his efforts with the Company’s Apprenticeship Scheme, emerging technologies and work within the Renewable Energy Sector.

Oliver, himself, began his career at Plandescil as an Apprentice Technician in 2006 following completion of his A Levels.  He then undertook further academic and professional qualifications with the Company, including his degree. At just 28 years old he became the Director of Projects in 2016 when the Company transferred to Employee Ownership. He has taken the opportunity to encourage the dynamic, collaborative approach to engineering projects which the company has always adopted, allowing the workforce to take ownership of the Company’s performance.

As Director of Projects Oliver has also overseen the introduction of cutting-edge technology within Plandescil including Aerial Survey Drones, Ground Penetrating Radar Equipment and 3D Laser Scanning. This investment in technology has helped Plandescil remain at the forefront of innovation and the use of emerging technology.

One of Oliver’s stand out contributions to Civil Engineering within the region has been his work within the renewable energy sector. Oliver has worked on the design and construction of Anaerobic Digestion (AD) facilities for the past 8 years, during which time he has gone from working as a Technician in the sectors’ infancy to becoming one of the sectors’ most experienced construction consultants. Oliver has played a major role in the design and construction of numerous AD Plants across the UK, plants which now deliver significant quantities of green energy into the national electrical and gas grids.

Oliver’s experience in AD facility has contributed to Plandescil being recommended by the Environment Agency and independent permitting consultants to design and specify compliant containment bunds to clients across the country. The bunds are designed to ensure that spillage accidents are contained and are not able to pollute the environment. Oliver has led continued improvement in construction methods and safe design by working collaboratively with the operators, mechanical designers, contractors and statutory bodies.

Oliver has also been a champion of the workplace apprenticeship scheme overseeing the development of 7 of Plandescil’s apprentice technicians and engineers, from BTEC Level 3 to Masters level education. Olly continually motivates his team and is an excellent role model to colleagues, always going the extra mile to ensure that they are benefiting as much as they can from their training and encouraging their career progression. Oliver has worked closely with City College Norwich to help them refine and target the needs of future engineering apprentices. His efforts with the College saw Plandescil awarded their SME Apprenticeship Employer of the Year 2018 which resulted in a nomination for the Regional Apprenticeship Awards 2018 where we also picked up Highly Commended in the SME Apprenticeship Employer of the Year and Recruitment Excellence categories.