OUR LEADERSHIP

PETER WHITE – EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN – RJ POWER GROUP LIMITED

Peter works with all the RJ Power brands to support the development of the individual businesses, as well as using his commercial experience in maintaining competitive and cost-efficient working practices. He is also responsible for the directing and implementing a safe and sustainable business strategy across all the brands.

Peter has been working within the power industry for over 44 years and has held a number of senior positions within a major utility organisation. He has been Managing Director for a number of businesses, including Joint Venture organisations.

Peter, whilst working for EDF Energy, managed a contracting business that delivered major packages of work within Airports, Ministry of Defence, Railways, and Joint Venture Partnerships with Network Rail, BAA, Thames Water & Balfour Beatty.

peter.white@rjpowergroup.co.uk

SAM HIGGS – TREASURER AND FINANCIAL DIRECTOR – RJ POWER GROUP LIMITED

Sam joined the business in 2016 from the Friday Media Group. As a Chartered Accountant she leads by example, with her role providing clear and comprehensive financial management and reporting to the board of directors and senior management team.

Sam’s career began in 1988 as an Accounts Assistant for Schools Abroad. She then joined IAG as a Management Accountant in 1993 and moved onto her first Financial Controller position with Telegan Gas in 1997. In 2000, Sam gained her chartered status and a new role as Regional Financial Controller for Benson Group; a £100m-turnover construction group. In 2010, Sam joined the Friday Media Group, where she was Head of Finance – managing the full finance function and leading a large team.

During her 20 years’ experience in various business sectors, Sam has been instrumental in delivering effective financial management, including acquisitions and the integration thereof, refinancing activities and preparing consolidated accounts. She has also played key cost-saving roles in the past with the implementation of a new ERP (Netsuite) from three different legacy systems, including GP Dynamics, and was involved in the hiving up of six subsidiaries into one trading subsidiary.

Sam received Fellowship status of her professional body in June 2016.

sam.higgs@rjpowergroup.co.uk

ANDREW PIERCE – CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER – RJ POWER NETWORKS, WEST, NORTH AND CONNECTIONS LIMITED

Andrew joined the RJ Power Group of Companies in November 2016 and has overseen its Private Networks business growth from a team of just three to the busy and growing RJ Power Networks entity it is today.

Previously, Andrew held the position of Managing Director at HVMS – a power contracting business originally founded by his father Roger Pierce, who is also a highly experienced electrical engineer.

Andrew has worked in the Power Engineering industry for over 25 years, starting his career as an Apprentice Telecoms Engineer, working his way up the career ladder with a variety of operational and management roles and has amassed a wealth of knowledge and understanding of High and Low Voltage Electrical Distribution Systems. Andrew is also a member of the IET.

Two decades of managerial, financial, operational and project management experience, have enabled Andrew to focus upon a wide range of daily businesses activities. He is passionate about quality and environmental processes and procedures and developing collaborative and sustainable supply chain partners, with the ultimate goal of securing customer loyalty and forging strong long-term business relationships.

andrew.pierce@rjpowernetworks.co.uk

DAVID PIERCE – NATIONAL SALES DIRECTOR – RJ POWER NETWORKS LIMITED

David is the brother of RJ Power Networks Director Andrew Pierce and similarly has enjoyed a career in the Power Engineering industry spanning more than 25 years.

Having initially joined RJ Power Group as Business Development Manager and Senior Electrical Engineer in January 2016, David took up the role of Business Development Director in November 2016, increasing his remit in line with RJ Power Networks successful business growth.

He is responsible for the development and growth of the RJ Power Networks business, delivering safe, quality and assured services to duty holders and end users within the electricity supply industry.

Prior to joining RJ Power Networks, David worked in a variety of roles – many of which were part of a long career at HVMS, including working his way up from Trainee Electrical Fitter to Senior Commercial Engineer. David is a member of the IET and also an Incorporated Engineer.

david.pierce@rjpowernetworks.co.uk

MATTHEW WOOLLEY – SALES DIRECTOR – RJ POWER RAIL LIMITED

Matt is a Business Development professional who leads the sales and work-winning functions of RJ Power Rail Limited and is also a shareholder and Board Director of the wider RJ Power Group of Companies.

Having joined in February 2013, he has helped deliver year-on-year growth to the rail electrification business by maintaining and developing relationships with both clients and the supply chain.

His expertise in identifying sustainable opportunities in the railway electrical services market has allowed him to develop coherent business pipelines, drive peak performance and deliver a work-winning mentality across the business.

Matt has spent the last decade working in the rail sector and, prior to joining RJ Power Group, he worked in the recruitment side of the industry for household names, developing opportunities within the rail electrification sector.

matt.woolley@rjpowerrail.co.uk

BARRY MCLEAN – MANAGING DIRECTOR – RJ POWER RAIL LIMITED & RJ POWER CONNECTIONS LIMITED

Barry leads the operational delivery for both the RJ Power Rail and RJ Power Connections businesses and has extensive experience of large scale projects across a broad range of construction sectors including Tunnelling, Power Stations, Rail, Oil and Gas.

Barry is a versatile Director and a team player who is very driven to succeed and deliver his projects to the highest possible standard. Previous appointments include Sonic Rail Services, where he was Senior Operations Support Manager for three years; Network Rail, where he worked for several years on the Thameslink Project; and EDF, where he managed renewals of both 11kV and 33kV assets. He has also had several major project appointments overseas, including stints in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Kazakhstan.

With years of proven project delivery, Barry is a trusted point of contact throughout the lifecycle of each project. His meticulous approach allows his teams to minimise operational risk, which ensures each client receives a high quality, safe and sustainable solution.

barry.mclean@rjpowerrail.co.uk

barry.mclean@rjpowerconnections.co.uk

ANDY EMPSON – MANAGING DIRECTOR – RJ POWER NORTH LIMITED

Andy is RJ Power North’s Managing Director and is a highly motivated electrical industry professional with four decades’ experience – thirteen of which were in the rail sector.

He is responsible for leading our northern business interests on all fronts, using key attributes including great communication and excellent organisation skills – providing a high level of confidence to our customers.

Andy has held senior roles at number of entities, including Yorkshire Power Solutions and HVMS, and has a proven track record of delivering first class power solutions for customers in private networks, utilities and rail.

With a passion for achieving goals and targets, Andy is constantly striving to meet the very highest standards for both himself and his team.

andy.empson@rjpowernorth.co.uk

ANTONY WENDEN – OPERATIONS DIRECTOR – RJ POWER NETWORKS

Antony started his career in the power generation industry with a four-year apprenticeship in project control – working across nuclear, coal and combined-cycle gas turbine power stations in conjunction with oil refineries. He joined HVMS Ltd as a trainee Project Manager. Through successful delivery, Antony was promoted to Project Manager for both Private Networks asset replacement programs on behalf of UK Power Networks and a lead ICP Project Manager, before moving on to manage operations for H&MV Engineering.

Antony joined RJ Power Networks in 2018 as Senior Project Manager, bringing full project lifecycle experience for 11kV-132kV installation. The core focus of engaging with RJPN was to build and grow the successful operational delivery of the business, harnessing the diverse skill sets of the team and structure the organisation to successfully deliver 400%+ growth in Projects.

Five years on, as Operations Director, he oversees all operational activities across the RJ Power Networks business, with a strong desire to provide high-quality workmanship, build upon existing relationships and secure long-term sustainable business growth.

antony.wenden@rjpowernetworks.co.uk

MARK WALLIS – COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR – RJ POWER RAIL

Mark started his career in the rail industry in 1997, having previously worked in construction. He has worked for three separate companies and held numerous commercial-related positions over a diverse portfolio of projects. As well as post-contract commercial roles, Mark has managed a pre-construction team and served as Framework Manager.

As Commercial Director, Mark provides leadership and support to the RJ Power Rail business while striving to drive sales, value and efficiencies.

mark.wallis@rjpowerrail.co.uk

TOM HEHIR – REGIONAL BUSINESS DIRECTOR
– RJ POWER WEST

Tom will be heading up the RJ Power Bristol office, expanding the business and supporting new customers within the West of the UK. He has been in the power engineering industry for over four decades, spending 33 years working for Eastern Electricity/UKPN as an 11kV/33kV jointer/overhead linesman, before holding down senior management roles within UKPN and other HV industry companies.

Tom joined RJ Power Group as Business Development Manager in 2017, supporting the development and growth of the RJ Power Networks business and delivering safe, quality and assured services to duty holders and end users within the electricity supply industry.

tom.hehir@rjpowerwest.co.uk

DARREN STEVENS – HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER – RJ POWER GROUP

Darren joined RJ Power Group in May 2022 and provides Human Resources and support services to all the businesses with his dedicated HR and Training and Development team. His main responsibilities include organisational development, resources strategy and people development.

Although Darren is new to the sector, he brings a broad range of experience and skills to the group, having spent years in the patient transport ambulance service, construction trade union and Unite the Union. He has held a number of senior positions, including Interim HR Director, Regional Resources Manager, Education Officer and Learning and Development Manager in multisite national organisations which, over the years, have supported people in the NHS, Airbus, MOD, General Motors, Rolls Royce and United Utilities.

Darren has recently been recognised by the CIPD for 20 years of membership and service to Human Resources and training and development for people in business.

darren.stevens@rjpowergroup.co.uk

MARTYN LLOYD – HEAD OF HSQE – RJ POWER GROUP

Martyn is Head of HSQE, having joined RJ Power Group in 2022. He is a passionate health and safety practitioner and provides corporate safety leadership across the business portfolio.

Martyn started his career in electrical engineering nearly 50 years ago in the steel industry in South Wales, before working in power engineering at CEGB throughout the UK, finishing at Dungerness in 1993. He has had an extensive career in electrical engineering throughout many organisations, as Chief Engineer/Head of Engineering, Senior Authorising Engineer throughout EMEA, and has been a practising, hands-on HV engineer for over 30 years – working at Government Estates, MOD and critical infrastructure and data centres.

Martyn is a Fellow of the Chartered Association of Building Engineers and a Fellow of the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management.

martyn.lloyd@rjpowergroup.co.uk

DAVE GALE – IT MANAGER – RJ POWER GROUP

Dave began his career in 1998 manufacturing circuit boards at an electronics firm and developed a thirst for information technology. He quickly moved up the technical ranks, attaining numerous Microsoft qualifications along the way. After holding several management roles at various UK companies, he joined RJ Power in 2018.

Dave is responsible for all of the RJ Power IT systems, ensuring the business keeps up with the ever-evolving world of technology.

dave.gale@rjpowergroup.co.uk