Berkeley Engineering Consultants

A Message from Lord Pickles and Lord Blunkett, followed by Berkeley Engineering Consultants's best practice article

The ability to listen and learn from one another has always been vital in parliament, in business and in most aspects of daily life. But at this particular moment in time, as national and global events continue to reiterate, it is uncommonly crucial that we forge new channels of communication and reinforce existing ones. The following article from Berkeley Engineering Consultants is an attempt to do just that. We would welcome your thoughts on this or any other Parliamentary Review article.

Rt Hon The Lord David Blunkett

Rt Hon The Lord Eric Pickles

www.berkeleyeng.com

BEST PRACTICE REPRESENTATIVE 2019

THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW

Highlighting best practice

18 | MINSTER GROUP

In 2018, we trialled even more cutting-

edge technology; this includes the use

of recycled plastic as a binding agent

in pothole repair and GPS trackers

alongside 3D car-mounted laser

scanners to accurately measure roads

without closing them and disrupting

traffic. This allows us to create detailed

instructions for our machinery – accurate

to within 1.5 millimetres – so we can

resurface roads far more efficiently.

Previously, we would have had to close

roads to measure them with tape, or

have people on the roadsides with

laser measuring devices. As well as

being disruptive and hazardous, these

traditional techniques are only accurate

to within ten millimetres at most.

Media reputation: is the

surfacing industry unfairly

demonised?

Despite the technological innovations

of the last 19 years, road surfacing is

still widely seen as a dirty, low-skill,

dangerous and pollutive industry that

operates as it has done for decades.

This reputation helps nobody and,

from my experience, holds the

industryback.

Young people who are beginning

careers at the end of full-time

education aren’t interested in working

in the sector; that’s been making

it harder and harder to attract the

forward-thinking, energetic and

creative people we need to continue

pushing boundaries into the future.

Almost all of my employees are over

55, and while they’re all excellent

team members, I can see a real skills

shortage looming.

The most frustrating thing is that

this reputation doesn’t reflect the

industry as I see it. Undoubtedly, there

are companies that are set in their

ways, but this industry is a hotbed

for innovation and it presents a great

many opportunities for any young

people who recognise that.

Changing, investing

and innovating as we

moveforward

I’m passionate about changing

people’s image of the industry and

demonstrating that surfacing can

be clean, green, high tech and

highquality.

As we continue to grow, we’ll keep

investing in the latest tools and

techniques, and we are committed

to exploring the potential of new

technologies. I’m confident that

through embracing technology, all

areas in the construction sector can

slash their carbon footprints in ways

which can improve their service.

We’ve come a long way since we

started in 1999, but we’re on the road

to even brighter days ahead .

This industry is

a hotbed for

innovation

“

Minster is a trusted

supplier to the Ministry

of Defence

19BERKELEY ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS |

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING

CEO Irteza Piracha

Oil refinery in Saudi Arabia

Berkeley Engineering Consultants are a single access point

for specialist engineering services for the global oil and

gas sector and a strategic partner to major names in the

oil and gas sectors, providing process engineering services

which enable their clients to select the safest and most efficient

designs for their processing facilities. Based in London but operating

from facilities around the world, including in Saudi Arabia, India,

Pakistan, Nigeria, Kazakhstan and South Korea, they work closely

with the Department for International Trade and have recently

been awarded the Queen’s Award for International Trade. CEO

Irteza Piracha tells

The Parliamentary Review

more.

We are a multidisciplined engineering business which focuses on the oil and gas,

refining, petrochemical, chemical, and project management sectors. A medium-

sized business, based in Berkeley Square, we have expanded rapidly, having an

engineering hub in Reading and regional presences around the world. We have

grown to approximately 400 employees worldwide and have an annual turnover of

circa £8 million to £10 million.

We are a firm driven by client alignment. It is vitally important to be on the client’s

doorstep, and in this globalised economy, we focus on client interaction, technical

resources and finance. Our presence in the regions helps us to capitalise on any

opportunities: being in the right location is a key growth enabler.

Our engineering philosophy is to align ourselves to client requirements at the very

beginning of the project so we can deliver a front-end engineering design which

FACTS ABOUT

BERKELEY ENGINEERING

CONSULTANTS

»CEO: Irteza Piracha

»COO: Mujteba Piracha

»Commercial Director:

AndrewBrewer

»Established in 2006

»Based in London and Reading

»Services: Oil and gas process

engineering services

»No. of employees: 400

»www.berkeleyeng.com

Berkeley Engineering

Consultants

THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW

Highlighting best practice

THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW

Highlighting best practice

20 | BERKELEY ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

meets those needs. The next steps

are project management support and

procurement services, and we assist

with the process all the way through to

commissioning and start-up.

Our work with the Department

for International Trade

We have been a long-term supporter

of the Department for International

Trade, continuously working with the

department since 2009, when we were

exporting to Kazakhstan and Nigeria.

We approached the department in

2009, seeking a business partner

in Saudi Arabia, and we have since

developed business with Saudi Aramco

and their refining and petrochemical

joint ventures. The DIT has regularly

supported us in an advisory context

to foster overseas growth, and we

have received a full range of services

from the team to help us export more

efficiently. This has included overseas

trade missions, UK-based masterclasses

and numerous networking

opportunities. Supported by DIT, we

secured a business partner in Saudi

Arabia aligned with the Two Kingdoms

Export Drive, and this allowed us to

meet with Riyadh’s commercial team.

As part of this process, the team

provided us with the potential partners

to establish and grow business with

Saudi Aramco. As a result of this

success, I was recognised in a UK trade

meeting hosted at 10 Downing Street

in 2013.

From these beginnings, the company is

now firmly established in Saudi Arabia

and delivers engineering services

and studies to Saudi Aramco and its

affiliates in the kingdom. This has been

achieved via long-form contracts which

underpin the company financially and

drive future growth and expansion.

The longstanding relationship between

us and the DIT provides a strategic

example of successfully supporting

a client in both established and

new markets. They have provided a

knowledgeable international trade

adviser to successfully liaise with

teams and colleagues worldwide

to provide cohesive and smooth-

runningrelationships.

Berkeley and DIT

meeting the Yasref

executive team in

Reading

We have been

a long-term

supporter of

the

Department for

International

Trade,

continuously

working with

them since

2009

“

21BERKELEY ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS |

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING

The next step of the journey

In late 2018, we undertook the

next step of the journey, which

was twofold. The first was the

allocation of additional resources

in the commercial sector for our

headquarters in London. This was

supported by Andrew Brewer, an

industry professional and former

international trade adviser. Our

second focus was regional expansion

in Oman, where our office was

officially opened in March. The British

Ambassador joined me and our local

partners for the official opening. We

have since expanded into Jordan,

signing an agreement with a civil

engineering partner, and intend to

use this partnership to expand further

across the Middle East and into Iraq.

We are a long-term member of the

Arab British Chamber of Commerce

and a key supporter of this institution,

supporting networking events and

wider involvement across the region.

The challenges and opportunities

before us are as important as ever.

For example, because of Saudi

Aramco’s acquisition in its domestic

petrochemical sector, we have

seen continued growth in our core

business segment in the Middle East.

As the world moves to new uses of

hydrocarbons and by-products, we

will seek out environmentally friendly

solutions and agriproducts. These can

only be successfully developed through

collaboration and close relationships

with our clients.

As a business, the challenge before

us is to secure more long-term work

in key oil and gas-producing areas.

We are relooking at Nigeria and the

wider sub-Saharan oil and gas market,

and evaluating the North Sea, which,

despite the recent oil-price crash, is

re-emerging leaner and stronger. This

is a great source for collaboration,

introducing new technology which will

benefit the global market. It will also

help to deliver UK content globally and

will sustain our Reading hub for many

years to come.

We would also like to see further

support for businesses exporting

abroad, particularly increased access

to banks to deliver project finances.

This should be allied to improved

marketing for DIT work in the regions

and aligned with opportunities for

businesses to meet with policymakers

to share expertise and their experience

of operations on the ground.

Finally, after several years of growth,

we are restructuring the UK HQ to

become more visible and aligned with

our customers, governments and the

markets. A new holding structure will

be implemented in 2019 to simplify

our view of the operations and our

clients’ view of us. Organisational

simplification is the next opportunity

for the company. As Henry Longfellow

said: “In character, in manner, in style,

in all things, the supreme excellence

issimplicity.”

In character,

in manner, in

style, in all

things, the

supreme

excellence is

simplicity

“

We officially opened our

office in Oman with the

British ambassador in

March

BEST PRACTICE REPRESENTATIVE 2019

THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW

Highlighting best practice

20 | BERKELEY ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

meets those needs. The next steps

are project management support and

procurement services, and we assist

with the process all the way through to

commissioning and start-up.

Our work with the Department

for International Trade

We have been a long-term supporter

of the Department for International

Trade, continuously working with the

department since 2009, when we were

exporting to Kazakhstan and Nigeria.

We approached the department in

2009, seeking a business partner

in Saudi Arabia, and we have since

developed business with Saudi Aramco

and their refining and petrochemical

joint ventures. The DIT has regularly

supported us in an advisory context

to foster overseas growth, and we

have received a full range of services

from the team to help us export more

efficiently. This has included overseas

trade missions, UK-based masterclasses

and numerous networking

opportunities. Supported by DIT, we

secured a business partner in Saudi

Arabia aligned with the Two Kingdoms

Export Drive, and this allowed us to

meet with Riyadh’s commercial team.

As part of this process, the team

provided us with the potential partners

to establish and grow business with

Saudi Aramco. As a result of this

success, I was recognised in a UK trade

meeting hosted at 10 Downing Street

in 2013.

From these beginnings, the company is

now firmly established in Saudi Arabia

and delivers engineering services

and studies to Saudi Aramco and its

affiliates in the kingdom. This has been

achieved via long-form contracts which

underpin the company financially and

drive future growth and expansion.

The longstanding relationship between

us and the DIT provides a strategic

example of successfully supporting

a client in both established and

new markets. They have provided a

knowledgeable international trade

adviser to successfully liaise with

teams and colleagues worldwide

to provide cohesive and smooth-

runningrelationships.

Berkeley and DIT

meeting the Yasref

executive team in

Reading

We have been

a long-term

supporter of

the

Department for

International

Trade,

continuously

working with

them since

2009

“

21BERKELEY ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS |

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING

The next step of the journey

In late 2018, we undertook the

next step of the journey, which

was twofold. The first was the

allocation of additional resources

in the commercial sector for our

headquarters in London. This was

supported by Andrew Brewer, an

industry professional and former

international trade adviser. Our

second focus was regional expansion

in Oman, where our office was

officially opened in March. The British

Ambassador joined me and our local

partners for the official opening. We

have since expanded into Jordan,

signing an agreement with a civil

engineering partner, and intend to

use this partnership to expand further

across the Middle East and into Iraq.

We are a long-term member of the

Arab British Chamber of Commerce

and a key supporter of this institution,

supporting networking events and

wider involvement across the region.

The challenges and opportunities

before us are as important as ever.

For example, because of Saudi

Aramco’s acquisition in its domestic

petrochemical sector, we have

seen continued growth in our core

business segment in the Middle East.

As the world moves to new uses of

hydrocarbons and by-products, we

will seek out environmentally friendly

solutions and agriproducts. These can

only be successfully developed through

collaboration and close relationships

with our clients.

As a business, the challenge before

us is to secure more long-term work

in key oil and gas-producing areas.

We are relooking at Nigeria and the

wider sub-Saharan oil and gas market,

and evaluating the North Sea, which,

despite the recent oil-price crash, is

re-emerging leaner and stronger. This

is a great source for collaboration,

introducing new technology which will

benefit the global market. It will also

help to deliver UK content globally and

will sustain our Reading hub for many

years to come.

We would also like to see further

support for businesses exporting

abroad, particularly increased access

to banks to deliver project finances.

This should be allied to improved

marketing for DIT work in the regions

and aligned with opportunities for

businesses to meet with policymakers

to share expertise and their experience

of operations on the ground.

Finally, after several years of growth,

we are restructuring the UK HQ to

become more visible and aligned with

our customers, governments and the

markets. A new holding structure will

be implemented in 2019 to simplify

our view of the operations and our

clients’ view of us. Organisational

simplification is the next opportunity

for the company. As Henry Longfellow

said: “In character, in manner, in style,

in all things, the supreme excellence

issimplicity.”

In character,

in manner, in

style, in all

things, the

supreme

excellence is

simplicity

“

We officially opened our

office in Oman with the

British ambassador in

March

www.berkeleyeng.com

This article was sponsored by Berkeley Engineering Consultants. The Parliamentary Review is wholly funded by the representatives who write for it. The publication in which this article originally appeared contained the following foreword from Rt Hon Michael Gove.

Rt Hon Michael Gove's Foreword For The Parliamentary Review

By Rt Hon Michael Gove

This year's Parliamentary Review comes at a momentous time for parliament, as we collectively determine the destiny of the United Kingdom.

On October 31, the UK will leave the European Union. The successful implementation of this process is this government's number-one priority.

Three years after a historic referendum vote, we will deliver on the decisive mandate from the British people. Trust in our democracy depends on it. Until that final hour, we will work determinedly and diligently to negotiate a deal, one that abolishes the backstop and upholds the warm and close relationship we share with our friends, allies and neighbours in the EU. But in the event that the EU refuses to meet us at the table, we must be prepared to leave without a deal.

As the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, it is my job to lead on this government's approach, should that scenario happen. Preparing for Brexit is my department's driving mission. But while I am leading this turbocharged effort, the whole of government is committed to this endeavour.

Ministers across Whitehall are working together to ensure that every possibility is considered, every plan is scrutinised and every provision is made. A daily drumbeat of meetings means that we are holding departments accountable, so that preparations are completed on time.

The chancellor has confirmed that all necessary funding will be made available. And we have mobilised thecivil service, assigning 15,000 of our most talented civil servants to manage our exit from the EU.

We will make sure that on November 1, there is as little disruption to national life as possible. Our trade relationships will continue to thrive, thanks to agreements with countries around the world worth £70 billion. Our country will remain secure, thanks to nearly 1,000 new officers posted at our borders. And the 3.2 million EU nationals now living and working among us can remain confident, with absolute certainty, of their right to remain in the UK.

Above all, our goal is to be transparent. Soon, we will launch a public information campaign so that citizens, communities and businesses are ready and reassured about what will happen in the event of “no deal”.

In my first few weeks in this role, I have travelled to ports and tarmacs, borders and bridges, all across the UK –from the seaside of Dover to the rolling green hills of County Armagh. I have heard from business owners and border officials, farmers and hauliers. They are ready to put an end to uncertainty. And they are ready to embrace the opportunities ahead.

Our departure from the EU will be a once in a lifetime chance to chart a new course for the United Kingdom. Preparing for that new course will be a herculean effort. But this country has made astounding efforts before. We can do it again.

Rt Hon Michael Gove
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster