“Looking back, one of the biggest factors in my development has been the support of the people around me. The opportunities I have been given have enabled me to develop both professionally and personally, and I am excited to continue progressing in my career at RAB.”
William Hammond, Assistant FRM Engineer.
After starting at RAB, Will Hammond shared his first impressions of life at the company, reflecting on his transition from education into the engineering profession and the opportunities he had embraced during his first three months with the business.
Two years on, Will has taken the time to reflect on how far he has come, chronicling his development from supporting experienced colleagues to taking greater ownership of projects, leading teams and contributing across different areas of the business.
From his growing role in flood and coastal risk management to new responsibilities in health, safety and quality, his journey highlights the value of hands-on experience, continued learning and the support of colleagues in building a rewarding career at RAB.
In this follow-up, Will looks back on the projects, challenges and opportunities that have shaped his professional development so far, as well as his ambitions for the future.
Developing New Responsibilities at RAB
Some core additional responsibilities I have gained include Health and Safety Assistant, becoming a part of RAB’s Standards team and leading the coordination of external asset inspectors for the East Midlands as part of the Environment Agency Collaborative Delivery Framework.
Progressing from trainee to Lead External Inspector in the East Midlands
At the start of my career with RAB, a key part of my development involved participating in asset inspection site visits under the EA CDF framework. The CDF is a major framework partnership that supports the Environment Agency’s delivery of flood and coastal risk management projects, including routine asset inspections and public safety risk assessments.
This experience provided valuable insight into the range of flood and coastal risk management interventions, how they function and how they work together as part of an integrated system of defences and conveyance features to manage flood risk.
Since then, I have progressed from being a trainee inspector to Lead External Inspector for the East Midlands. In this role, I coordinate and manage teams of inspectors across the region and act as a key point of contact between the Environment Agency’s local East Midlands team and multiple partner organisations involved in the framework.
This progression has been particularly rewarding, not only because of the responsibility and leadership opportunities it has provided, but also because it has enabled me to contribute to flood risk management in the region where I grew up, making the achievement especially meaningful.
Expanding into Health, Safety and Quality
In my first article, I spoke about the opportunity to work with different teams across RAB and gain experience beyond my engineering role. Two years later, that variety continues to be one of the most rewarding aspects of working here. Alongside my responsibilities within the Flood Risk Management sector, I have recently taken on the role of Health and Safety Assistant within the Standards team. As part of this role, I now have responsibility for the upkeep and servicing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), developing risk assessments and procedures, and reviewing and improving management system processes to ensure they remain aligned with the requirements of ISO 45001.
In addition, more broadly, this role will enable me to work with colleagues from across the business in a new capacity, helping to support health, safety and quality objectives, while gaining a greater appreciation of how different functions contribute to the overall success of the company, provide me with a new skillset and drive positive change across RAB.
Taking Greater Ownership of Flood Risk Management Projects
Whilst my early involvement in projects naturally focused on supporting colleagues and developing my own understanding, more recently I have developed by increasing ownership of project delivery. This progression has strengthened my confidence in managing workloads, engaging with clients and producing technical outputs that help inform decision-making.
Riverbank Erosion Project in Wybunbury, Cheshire
A particular highlight has been a riverbank erosion protection project in Wybunbury, Cheshire.
The scheme has allowed me to play a leading role throughout multiple stages of delivery, from feasibility and design through to permitting and then construction site supervision in late winter. Steering a project from concept through design and permitting and into construction has significantly developed my confidence in stakeholder engagement, decision-making, and managing projects more generally.
SuDS Asset Inspections and Adapting Established Approaches
The variety of projects has also enabled me to broaden my experience beyond FCRM feasibility and condition assessment. I have been leading work on a SuDS asset inspection project, which has required me to adapt existing condition assessment practices to SuDS interventions. This has meant moving beyond simply applying established methodologies and instead adapting existing practices to suit a different asset type and client need. Being trusted to help shape that approach has been particularly rewarding.
Flood Risk Assessments for Mixed-Use Developments
Likewise, I have been involved in undertaking flood risk and options assessments for large mixed-use facilities, providing valuable experience in translating large site surveys, flood risk data and other available information into practical recommendations which consider site constraints, whilst considering the needs of specific site users and stakeholders. Together, these projects have greatly improved my confidence, communication skills and decision making, and importantly, deepened my knowledge and ability to critically appraise within flood risk management.
Building Technical Skills Through Training and Development
In my first article, I spoke about wanting to learn as much as possible from the people around me. That has remained constant over the past two years, through hands-on-learning in project work and through a formal training plan. Some of the training I have undertaken includes various topics such as health and safety, internal auditing, NEC contract awareness, CDM responsibilities, personal safety and property flood resilience surveying.
Collectively, these opportunities have helped me build a more rounded understanding of project delivery and the many disciplines that contribute to successful outcomes for clients and communities.
Looking Ahead: Will’s Career Ambitions
Looking ahead, there remains plenty I hope to achieve. I am currently progressing my application towards MCIWEM and look forward to continuing my journey towards Chartership, also via CIWEM. From a technical perspective, I am keen to further develop my experience in drainage design, whilst continuing to take on greater responsibility for the delivery of flood and coastal risk management projects from feasibility through to design, permitting and construction support, and begin to undertake work that sees me training new cohorts of asset inspectors.
More broadly, I hope to continue to develop as an effect my projective manager, by working on my stakeholder engagement and leadership skills, whilst supporting colleagues across the business and contributing to the collaborative culture that has played such an important role in my own development.
Looking back, one of the biggest factors in my development has been the support of the people around me. The opportunities I have been given have enabled me to develop both professionally and personally, and I am excited to continue progressing in my career at RAB. I would once again like to thank my manager Peter Batty, Senior Flood Risk Engineer Alexandros Tsavdaris and everyone at RAB for their guidance, encouragement and willingness to share their knowledge over the past two years.
You can read Will’s first impressions piece from two years ago by clicking here.
At RAB we’re often on the lookout for talented individuals to join the team. Keep an eye on our careers page for all our current and future vacancies.
