ROB HOLTOM
cAREER hIGHLIGHTS
2006
Graduating with an Integrated Master of Oceanography I started my career offshore, soon becoming Regional Manager for West Africa and the Caspian Sea. I developed my resilience, negotiation, and business development skills as I pioneered innovative high value projects in the most challenging parts of the world.
2012
I co-founded MOCEAN; targeting Oil & Gas projects in the Caspian Sea, the consultancy would evolve over the next decade to encompass a diverse range of skills and expertise delivering projects for the Nuclear, Oil & Gas, Renewables and Finance sectors.
2013
I co-founded CERL; raising $250M in private capital enabling entry into the UK Shale Gas market for this SME Operator. Following the 2014 oil price crash, I utilised my passion for resolving technical & commercial challenges; working with Private Equity I realised investment opportunities by connecting entrepreneurs to investors & stakeholders.
2015
I entered the burgeoning UK Nuclear Sector; first, project managing Site Investigations for Horizon Nuclear Power’s ABWR site in North Wales, before delivering EDF’s Marine Construction projects at Hinkley Point C Nuclear New Build; I gained invaluable experience of working on complex large-scale projects within this highly regulated industry.
2019
Realising my goal to contribute to the development of renewable energy, I joined Ørsted in enabling their green growth strategy with the development of Offshore windfarms in Northern Europe and the US. I continue to apply my knowledge, skills and passion to ensure an effective green energy transformation powered by Offshore wind.
Professional Development
Ørsted's Northern European and US offshore windfarm projects portfolio.
Senior Technical Project Manager
Ørsted, Hornsea 3 & 4 Windfarms, UK Development
Sep 22 – Present: Delivery of Technical Solutions enabling Ørsted’s Hornsea 3 & 4 Windfarms.
- Fulfilment of Development Consent Orders through the translation of specific consenting requirements into clearly defined technical & commercial goals while engaging stakeholders at all levels to ensure buy-in and a defined roadmap to successful delivery.
- Lead commercial negotiations for sharing & licensing of structures with Round 4 Developers, as well as the acquisition & repurposing of Oil & Gas assets, namely the Wenlock Platform.
- I established a dynamic and flexible team of consenting, commercial and technical specialists, able to successfully deliver complex projects under significant regulatory, budgetary and schedule constraints.
- Worked with statutory stakeholders and other Developers to ensure de-risked delivery and commercial optimisation of assets across the project portfolio.
Site Investigation Project Manager
Ørsted, Hornsea 3 & 4 Windfarms, UK; Site Investigations
Mar 21 – Sep 22: Delivery of site investigations critical to Ørsted’s UK project portfolio.
- Executed 2021 & 2022 programs, found efficiencies, applied innovative practices, and realised commercial opportunities.
- De-risked scopes across the Hornsea 3 & 4 Projects, completing on budget whilst achieving high technical and quality standards and regulatory compliance.
Site Investigation Project Manager
Ørsted, Sunrise Offshore Windfarm, USA; Site Investigations
Nov 19 – Mar 21: Responsible for site investigations in support of Ørsted’s burgeoning US project portfolio.
- Responsible for 2019 & 2020 campaigns encompassing Inter-Array & Export cables, Landfall & HDD, Offshore Substation & Wind Turbine foundations.
- Supported and mentored US personnel, establishing the foundations for continued growth across Ørsted’s US North-East Projects.
Site Investigation Project Manager
Ørsted, Borssele 1&2 Offshore Windfarm, NL; UXO Clearance & Construction Support
Apr 19 – Nov 19: Responsible for clearance & disposal of UXO across the Site.
- Managed one of the largest, most complex seabed clearances in the industry.
- Established excellent rapport with the NATO Mine Counter Measures Group facilitating the safe, timely disposal of UXO.
- Supported Cables and Construction Teams to de-risk activities and complete on schedule.
EDF's Nuclear New Build, Hinkley Point C, UK; Offshore & Onshore Construction.
My client required the safe delivery of marine focussed projects in support of the HPC Nuclear New Build, one of Europe’s largest construction projects with a project value in excess of £20 billion.
Embedded within EDF, I successfully delivered the £200M HPC Temporary Aggregates Jetty and its shoreside connections, including roads, networks and HV substations under NEC 3 contract terms and within the constraints set out by CDM, Development Consent Orders, and Nuclear Site Licensing Conditions.
I was responsible for all aspects of the Construction programme in order to achieve programme, commercial, and QHSSE goals; this comprised daily management and coordination of activities, as well as strategic planning and forecasting in order to maintain critical path activities and mitigate against downtime.
I cultivated a positive health and safety culture through the design and implementation of a project wide QHSSE programme; this included regular engagement, briefings and inspections by industry leaders and multidisciplinary team members as we sort to achieve zero harm and quality excellence.
I was responsible for the approval of project documentation and resolution of technical queries through RFI’s, FCR’s, NCR’s and Constructability Reviews; risk management played a critical role within the security setting for this high profile project.
I developed my ability to integrate into complex large scale projects, identifying the key players and inter-dependencies of schedules and budgets. I challenged convention by using innovative construction techniques as I lead my multidisciplinary team in resolving complex engineering problems.
By adapting to the needs of the client and managing the talent, experience and passion of the EDF multidisciplinary delivery team I enabled the Tier 1 & 2 contractors to achieve the high standards of Quality, Health, Safety, Security and Environmental responsibility expected of a Nuclear Construction project.
I prioritised effective communication and engagement with key stakeholders including Nuclear Industry leaders, UK Secretary of States and the French Ambassador; hosting frequent visits I ensured that everyone bought into our project values and our safety and quality cultures (EDF, UK Gov, HSE, MMO, Cefas, IACO).
As part of a multidisciplinary team, I enabled the Combwich Wharf and Offshore Cooling Water tunnelling projects to reduce costs and enhance safe practice through my innovative thinking, specialist construction knowledge and value engineering expertise.
Jan – Sep 2016: Project Director
MOCEAN, St Austell Bay, UK; Offshore Minerals Exploration.
I identified an opportunity to develop a mineral resource off the south west coast of England based on historical exploration conducted in the 1980’s.
Securing Innovate UK grant funding, I authored desktop and technical feasibility studies, being responsible for the design and implementation of the project; so enabling further phased investment decisions to be made.
Undertaking provisional mineral resource assessments, market analysis and investment appraisal, I assessed the viability for commercialisation of the target mineral and by-products of the mining process through a phased campaign that limited CAPEX in return for creating value for shareholders.
I built a multidisciplinary team to provide insight and guidance on subsea minerals exploration, extraction, route to market and commodity trading. I prioritised opportunities for technical innovation and nurtured R&D partnerships with industry and universities to test new concepts for minerals exploration.
By creating shallow water testing areas for pioneering minerals extraction technologies I enabled business continuity and a secondary cash flow through expansion into the deep sea minerals sector.
I successfully negotiated licencing conditions and minerals royalties with the UK Gov. & Crown Estate; cultivating a social license to operate by engaging with maritime users, regional government and local media who bought into the concept of job creation, supply chain development and investment in local infrastructure.
Demonstrating good Environmental, Social and Governance practice was key to gaining trust from investors and stakeholders. Building on industrial heritage and knowledge from the past, I learnt how powerful and fulfilling it can be when exploring opportunities to rejuvenate industry and revive an area.
Aug 2015 - July 2016: Project Manager / Marine Technical Advisor
Horizon Nuclear Power, UK; Wylfa Newydd Nuclear Power Station.
Horizon Nuclear Power required the establishment of a geological ground model in order to finalise the design of their ABWR reactor and associated nuclear infrastructure.
Embedded within HNP, I translated the business need into a clearly defined geotechnical work scope and risk register, leading to the safe execution of the Detailed Offshore & Onshore Ground Investigations (£5M), I enabled the production of the model, with the project winning the Ground Engineering Awards in 2017.
Coordinating daily activities, I ensured safe and environmentally responsible operations through the implementation of strategic health, safety and security and associated emergency response plans that bridged into the offsite nuclear emergency plans. I approved method statements, conducted regular safety inspections and engaged with the contractors and local stakeholders to the project.
I identified opportunities to enhance safety and efficiency by challenging accepted methodologies and enabling the development of local marine infrastructure; ensuring the project’s long term legacy.
I managed the multidisciplinary team and inspired Horizon Nuclear Power to establish a marine capability by providing them with the knowledge and experience that would bring further benefits to the business.
I learnt that early buy-in to project aims and objectives was essential to managing Board Level expectations and ensuring sufficient autonomy of operation in order to achieve project milestones and safe operations.
Jan 2015 – July 2016: Technical Advisor to Investment Group
Anglo-Saxony Mining, Treliver Minerals & MET Trading, London, UK.
My client, a city based investment group and corporate finance advisory boutique required technical guidance on the assessment of concept viability and risk for new investment opportunities.
Combining strategic insight and experience within the natural resources and energy sectors, I enabled the completion of equity deals, financing and re-financing agreements for several privately owned companies.
Initially specialising in seabed mining and alternative uses for metals and minerals, I then reviewed offshore diamond mining in North America and Africa and the supply of rare earth metals to the renewables sector.
I engaged with entrepreneurs as I translated their cases into investable opportunities. I’m naturally curious; with my scientific background and innovative thinking, I worked autonomously using research and data analysis to strengthen my understanding, often challenging convention to scout out unique investment opportunities.
I focussed on longer term returns by identifying low cost operations overseen by excellent management teams with high Environmental, Social and Governance values and who prioritised maximising value for shareholders.
Jan – July 2015: Director
Cornwall Drilling Ltd, UK; Deep Geothermal Projects
An opportunity to establish a drilling capability to service Deep Geothermal & Shale Gas Projects.
I authored a Feasibility Study addressing options for and the future of Deep Geothermal Projects in Cornwall as part of Cornwall Energy Island – Focussed on the provision of Deep Geothermal Drilling capabilities in the UK & Europe, rig purchase options, project pipelines and opportunities for investment.
June 2013 - Dec 2014: Director – Operations & Business Continuity Manager
Continental Energy Resources Limited, London, UK; UK Shale Gas.
An opportunity to establish a fully funded Operator within the UK onshore oil and gas sector.
I co-authored a Feasibility Study and Business Plan for entry into the UK Shale Gas market. Co-founding CERL, we secured funding ($250M) by joint venturing with an Oil & Gas Major, enabling the acquisition of existing Operators and de-risked operations comprising exploration work programs for targeted UK Licenses. Business continuity was secured by developing a strategic plan based on de-risked investment in innovative ventures focused on the UK Oil & Gas sector.
I focussed on building an investable Exec and Non-Exec management team that secured investor confidence and was trusted to achieve the project goals; the multidisciplinary team conducted due diligence and geological appraisal of target acreage ahead of CERL’s Round 14 bid.
I ensured Operator competence through achievable development and appraisal programs, work flows, budgets and a focus on Environmental, Social and Governance credentials by developing an ISO 9001, 14001 & OHSAS 18001 accredited IMS.
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
M-OCEAN 4 Yr Integrated Master of Oceanography – Upper Second Class Honours 2:1
School of Ocean and Earth Sciences, National Oceanographic Centre, University of Southampton
Masters Research Project – “Interpretation of past and potential slope failure on the flanks of the Cape Verde Islands, Northern Chain”.
Undergraduate Research Project – “The influence of river flow and flushing times on the control of nutrient behaviour within the Tamar estuary, UK”.
INDUSTRY RELATED QUALIFICATIONS
Association of Project Managers – Project Manager Qualification (2017)
NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety (2015)
IOSH Managing Safety in Construction at Horizon Nuclear Power (2015)
Incident Management Training & Advanced Behaviours for Leaders (EDF 2017)
Project Management and Project Risk Management training (Learning Tree)
Unsafe Act Auditing & Accident Investigation (Knightsmart UK)
CDM 2015 Review and Training (2015)
CIEH Level 2 & 3 Award in Health and Safety in the Workplace
Nuclear Baseline Competency (Project & Construction Management)
Proficient with PM and Planning software as well as AutoCAD Map 3D & ArcGIS.
Proficient with CEMAR NEC contracts as well as Salesforce based engineering solutions.
STCW 95 Personal Survival Techniques & OGUK Medical (expires 10/08/19 )
Holds a UK driving licence & 4 x 4 Off-road Training (AA Drivetech 2015)
PAPERS & CONFERENCES
Society for Underwater Technology 2018 – Bristol
Constructing the impossible, when design meets reality; Marine construction for the Nuclear Sector.
Marine & Coastal Civil Engineering Expo 2017 – London
EDF’s Hinkley Point C Nuclear New Build, The Major Issues and Talking Points.
Offshore Middle East 2013 – Qatar
Seismic cone, PS wave measurement, seismic and resistivity system for wind farm applications.
Slope Failures of The Flanks of The Southern Cape Verde Islands (2007)
Paper published on completion of Masters thesis – Le Bas, Masson, Douglas, Holtom & Grevemeyer.
Memberships & Fellowships
Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society – Previously on the RGS Polar and Arctic expeditions panel.
Member of Chatham House – The Royal Institute of International Affairs.
Personal Life
I have a passion for the polar environment and ski touring, with expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctica. I’m also a keen sailor, having raced for the Army, completed trans-Atlantic crossings, and continue to regularly sail in the UK and abroad.
Closer to home I enjoy open water swimming, running and cycling, as well as being actively engaged with current affairs and international relations; I see the UN Sustainability Development Goals as key milestones for individuals and organisations to ensure a better future for our planet.