Infrastructure’s growth prospects
Multi-disciplinary consultancy RPS Group is experiencing strong and increasing demand for its core services, building on its successful delivery of infrastructure projects. Its Managing Director in Belfast, Mike Shaw, outlines the company’s business areas and its prospects for further growth.
RPS Group employs over 5,000 people globally and has undertaken projects in 123 countries across six continents. With a network of local offices spread across the United Kingdom, we are one of the leading multi-disciplinary consultancies advising on all aspects of the built and natural environment.
We offer a unique range of professional and technical expertise operating in all sectors of the global economy. Our expert and experienced teams work closely with clients to bring a diverse range of projects to life, offering support at every stage of the project lifecycle.
For almost 70 years, the RPS Belfast office has provided reliable and practical advice to a wide range of clients. The 190 staff in the Belfast office have delivered projects from initial conception through to completion and maintenance, and our range of in-house services ensures continuity of service and ease of project control.
Indeed, the Belfast operations of RPS have experienced growth in our services over the last 10 years. Mike Shaw takes a strategic oversight of all operations as Managing Director. “We deliver strategic and sustainable projects,” he remarks. “We plan, design, develop and manage projects for the public and private sectors and have been responsible for some of the largest infrastructural projects on the island.” The consultancy has recently appointed three new directors to lead its core business areas into a period of further growth: Andrew Jackson; Mark McConnell; and Brian Malone.
Maritime
Mark McConnell now leads the Maritime section. RPS has a strong track record in providing services on large port infrastructure projects, with 90 per cent of services delivered outside Northern Ireland.
“Our ports team have delivered results nationally and internationally,” says Shaw. RPS has worked across the British Isles on many port projects and the Belfast office was the lead consultant on the £54 million Loch Ryan Port project for Stenaline which was completed on time and on budget in 2012. The company was also technical advisor for a $140 million new port facility south of Mumbai, with Belfast staff travelling to India on a monthly basis.
Future growth in the port infrastructure business will primarily come from Great Britain and by maintaining the company’s workload on the island of Ireland. RPS has worked on consenting work for around £1 billion of port infrastructure over the last five years.
Water
RPS has seen continued growth within this area and is headed up by Grace Glasgow along with the newly appointed Directors, Brian Malone and Andrew Jackson. Grace leads a team of over 40 engineers and environmental scientists with a focus on Catchment Management and Hydrology. Brian Malone oversees the Water Services business while Andrew Jackson is responsible for our Flood Risk Management projects.
RPS’s specialist engineers and scientists have played a leading role in planning and implementing legislation such as the EU Water Framework Directive, Floods Directive and Water Services Act through developing sustainable best practice solutions in water management, including treatment, supply, drainage, asset management planning and rehabilitation.
Structural & Fire Engineering
With combined experience of 50 years, Don McQullian and Michael Shaw have been involved in supporting the development of the Titanic Quarter, including the Odyssey building, the iconic Titanic signature building and the nearby film studios along with several surrounding buildings. RPS has been appointed as the lead structural engineering contractor for the new University of Ulster campus building and has recently finished working on the new South West Acute Hospital.
We combine efficiency with innovation, delivering exciting yet functional buildings that meet or exceed client expectations. RPS’s expert team of Fire Engineers work with clients and design teams to develop creative design solutions that secure the safety of building users, ensure business continuity and improve asset protection.
Waste Management
Donal Doyle is responsible for the Waste and Energy Team in Belfast and Letterkenny. The RPS waste planning team has long-standing relationships with the three Waste Management Groups in Northern Ireland and has been market leaders in the preparation and five-yearly review of waste management plans for over 10 years. This has included the most recent review, which was undertaken in 2012-2013 for all three Waste Management Groups.
RPS has acted for local authorities supporting PFI procurements, waste management companies bidding for contracts, technology providers and civil contractors on a wide range of waste projects including energy from waste, mechanical biological treatment, material recovery, transfer stations and recycling centres.
Transportation, Highways & Civil Engineering
With over 17 years’ experience, Transportation, Highways and Civil Engineering Director Brendan Daly is responsible for a team of engineers and managing a wide range of regionally significant projects such as the Titanic Quarter development (including Titanic Belfast), the South West Acute Hospital, the Ballyclare relief road and housing development, the development of a new 85-acre Invest NI industrial estate (through CPD), and DBFO2 – a major road scheme with grade separated junctions on the main trunk road corridor between Belfast and Dublin. We work with public and private sectors alike to develop plans for sustainable transport systems to assist in the delivery of development and planning applications.
Planning & Environment
Chartered Landscape Architect and Director of RPS Planning Raymond Holbeach has been successfully securing planning consents across the UK and Ireland for over 25 years. Raymond has successfully project-managed numerous EIAs for a range of infrastructure developments, mixed use, industrial, renewable energy, leisure and residential developments throughout the UK and Ireland – including the Windsor Stadium Redevelopment, the Dungannon to Omagh 110kV transmission line, the Belfast Harbour VT4 Extension, and the Port of Cork Ringaskiddy Harbour Redevelopment.
One of our main strengths is the scope and depth of our technical knowledge within our team and we are renowned for getting permission for even the most challenging proposals whilst maintaining the highest possible professional standards. Our cost-effective approach is based on proposing clear strategies for scheme promotion and high quality argument and evidence.
Growth
The company retains a strong position to driving further growth in its key business areas, both within Northern Ireland and increasingly in Great Britain, the Republic of Ireland and further afield.
In summary, RPS is a leading provider of professional support services to clients in the UK, Ireland and internationally and also holds a leading position among multi-disciplinary consultancies, advising on all aspects of the built and natural environment. A global network of local offices allows us to offer a unique range of professional and technical expertise operating in all sectors of the global economy. Our diverse, expert and experienced teams are able to input through all stages of the project lifecycle.
RPS Group
Elmwood House
74 Boucher Road, Belfast, BT12 6RZ
Tel: 028 9066 7914
Email: mike.shaw@rpsgroup.com
Web: www.rpsgroup.com
