RLB hires nuclear expert to build sector team

Property and construction consultancy Rider Levett Bucknall has appointed Richard B Petch as a senior partner in its nuclear team with responsibility for spearheading the growth of the firm’s business stream in this part of the construction market.

Petch joined from Sellafield, where he was deputy commercial director and commercial head of transition, on secondment from Amec Foster Wheeler. He has more than 30 years’ experience in the heavy engineering, property and construction sector, almost half of that time at senior director level working in the nuclear sector.

RLB opened its Cumbria office in Egremont in 2015 and now has around eight staff there, supported by colleagues from other offices. The company employs 450 people in the UK.

Deryck Barton, head of nuclear at Rider Levett Bucknall, said: “Richard joins Rider Levett Bucknall at an exciting time both in terms of our pipeline of work and the potential of the present market opportunities. He brings both operational and strategic vision to our business and we are delighted to welcome him on board.”

Petch added: “Having worked with Rider Levett Bucknall closely at Sellafield and experienced the service levels and sector knowledge first hand, I decided that it was an organisation I wanted to have the opportunity to work with. I am excited to be part of such a vibrant forward thinking independent organisation where service excellence is a priority.”