A new and exciting chapter for RAB Consultants begins as two of its long-standing employees, Senior Engineer, Peter Batty and Principal Resilience Consultant, Nicola (Nicky) Hemming, have taken over as Owners and Managing Directors from Founder Russell Burton following a management buyout that has ensured the business stays firmly within the RAB family.
The pair’s move into ownership is a natural progression and puts two experienced and dedicated members of the team at the helm. Having been part of the company for a combined 30 years, Peter and Nicky have grown their careers alongside RAB and their long service demonstrates their commitment to its people, its clients and its culture.
The change comes as Russell and his wife Joy – who as well as helping Russell establish RAB 20 years ago has been an integral part of the business as its Company Secretary – are ready to step back from the day-to-day responsibilities of running the business, allowing them to dedicate more time to family.
On Peter and Nicky’s appointment and why they are the right people to take the company forwards, Russell and Joy said: “They both joined as graduates and have been part of RAB’s journey. They’ve grown with the company, they know the business, understand what makes it special and genuinely care about its people and its continued success. Now, as RAB’s new owners, they begin its next chapter.
“For us, this change is about balancing continuity for the business with a new stage in our lives. We want RAB to keep developing, supporting its clients and creating opportunities for its team, while giving us more time outside work.”
Russell and Joy haven’t completely hung up their hats as they are looking forward to remaining connected to the company staying involved in a consultancy capacity, supporting the transition and providing strategic guidance for Peter and Nicky.
“Nicky and I are really keen to get stuck into our new roles as Managing Directors and build on what Russell and Joy have established over the last two decades,” Peter says.
“This is an exciting time for RAB and we can’t wait to see what the future holds. The industry is busier than ever and is only going to get busier with climate change and increased country-wide focus on resilience and preparedness. Stepping into our roles at this time for the business and the industry means we are hopeful we can make a real impact.”
For the new owners, the focus is on building on what is already in place, working closely with RAB’s 40+ colleagues and maintaining the trusted relationships with clients that have been nurtured over the years.
But as with any new owners, they also have ambitions to build new relationships along the way, bringing fresh energy to the business while retaining the culture and values that have shaped it.
Nicky adds to Peter’s sentiment, saying: “I’m really excited about the future of RAB and the opportunities ahead of us.
“We want to continue steering the company towards positive growth, but it’s extremely important to us that we continue to develop the business in a way that reflects RAB’s values. We want to ensure there are always great opportunities for our people, while delivering the high-quality service our clients know and trust.”
Both Peter and Nicky have worked together for many years and their partnership comes as naturally as their progression in the business.
“We complement each other well because we bring different skills to the business,” Nicky said.
“Pete has a great head for numbers and strong commercial acumen, while I’m strong with people and communications. I think that balance puts us in a good position to lead the business together.”
Another common ground between the two new owners is their beginnings with RAB. Both joined after completing their university degrees.
Peter joined as an Assistant Flood Risk Consultant in 2014 during a time when the construction and engineering industry was really tough to break into. He worked his way up over the years to establish and lead the Engineering Sector and now Managing Director.
“My entire career so far has been at RAB, and I owe so much to Russell for personally mentoring me,” Peter said.
With his skillset and interests focused particularly on engineering from a young age, Peter with the support of Russell, set about building the engineering sector of RAB from scratch. What started out as Peter working on his own in the new area, has turned into a team of 13 people and one of the most thriving and successful sectors of the company.
“The team I have built is my most valued achievement. I brought many of them on as apprentices or graduates who, like me, were looking for a shot in the industry. Now they are progressing to higher positions within the company and achieving professional qualifications and that I’m really proud of.”
For Nicky, who started out as an Assistant Consultant, a career at RAB was firmly in her sights from day one.
“I phoned up Russell and offered to work for him for free because I was so sure that the company was the perfect fit for me! Fortunately, I never had to follow through on that offer,” she said.
Since joining RAB, Nicky has built extensive experience in resilience and business continuity, including managing the business continuity service for the University of Salford for the past eight years. She also played a role in securing a place on the Environment Agency’s Emergency Preparedness framework alongside colleagues. In 2025, Nicky further strengthened her leadership expertise when she became a Chartered Manager.
Building on 20 Years of RAB
When Russell and Joy founded RAB in 2006, it began by helping to deliver flood exercises and training for the Environment Agency. Over the past two decades, it has diversified its services and grown to more than 40 employees across three offices in Lichfield, Durham and Bedford, supporting resilience and flood risk management across the UK and beyond.
The company celebrated its 20th anniversary in May 2026, having navigated and overcome significant challenges along the way, including the credit crunch, Brexit and the Covid pandemic.
Throughout his time leading the business, the development and achievements of its people have remained a source of pride for Russell. This includes the ongoing support of employees from apprenticeships through to Incorporated Engineer and Chartered status, as well as Fellowships of professional institutions including CIWEM and the Institution of Civil Engineers. RAB has also received national and international awards.
At the heart of RAB’s work is its commitment to increasing resilience and reducing flood risk for people in the places where we work, live and play. That ambition will remain unchanged under its new ownership.
Looking ahead on their ambitions for RAB, Russell and Joy said:“Our hope for RAB is straightforward: that it continues to help clients increase resilience and reduce flood risk, creates opportunities for its team and remains a business people enjoy working with.
“We want to see it build on the last 20 years, remain open to new ideas and make its own mark in the years ahead.”
Concluding, the former owners share a final note: “To everyone who has been part of the journey, colleagues past and present, clients, partners, suppliers and our families – thank you. RAB has never been just about us. We are grateful for everything we have shared and we look forward to supporting what comes next.”
The change of ownership happened with immediate effect as of 30th October 2026 with the former and new owners announcing to staff and clients last week.
Peter and Nicky both finish by praising the response from colleagues saying, “Since sharing the news with our clients and colleagues last week, the response has been amazing. We knew it would be as the people at RAB are what makes the company so successful, but we have been blown away by the messages and comments we have received.
“We’re looking forward to taking the company forwards and having the whole RAB team on board for the ride.”