Name	Richard Lawrence
Job Title	Civil Design Team Leader
Current Secondment	Tube Lines, London - Connect Enabling Project

Richard joined Robert West in September 2001 having previously worked for two structural design consultancies undertaking high profile commercial and residential projects in London. His first assignment was to the Robert West team providing services to Infraco JNP (now Tube Lines) on the £350M Connect project. This will lead to the installation of a new integrated digital radio system that will provide dramatically better communications throughout the Underground, leading to improved services. The Robert West team are undertaking civil / structural assessment and design work on a range of London Underground assets such as cable bridges, ticket halls, equipment rooms and ground bearing slabs.

Within 12 months of appointment Richard had proven himself to be a key member of the team and was promoted to Assistant Team Leader. Additional responsibilities included monitoring progress, client liaison, recruitment and training. Richard took these new challenges in his stride and in April 2003 he was promoted to Team Leader , managing a team of 14 civil / structural engineers and their CAD support. He is responsible for providing direction to the team in all aspects of the project.

Since joining Robert West 3½ years ago Richard has developed both his technical and management skills and his hard work has paid dividends as the team he now leads is well regarded for the quality service it delivers. In recognition of his efforts Richard has recently been awarded a Bronze Commendation Award by Tube Lines.

When asked how he felt about his move to Robert West Richard said, "Having joined Robert West from a commercial and residential background and then being seconded into the Underground (Infraco JNP) I found myself in a very different environment. This opportunity has provided me with new experiences and challenges that I've really enjoyed and I feel that I have become a better and more rounded engineer and manager. I would also like to think that I've contributed to and consolidated our successful relationship with the client."