Meet the team – Paul Riding

Paul is the latest recruit to Global’s asbestos surveying team having joined in October this year. He has a wealth of experience in the asbestos industry having worked in asbestos removal, surveying and most recently in an office-based management position. Already proving to be an asset to the company, here he discusses how he is embracing the chance to get out of the office and use his experience on a variety of surveys in Central London and around the Home Counties.

How have you gained this experience in the asbestos industry?

I have worked in the industry since 2001, starting as Removals Supervisor with Forest Environmental and then promoted to Removals Contracts Manager, after a year in USA, I returned to Forest as Operations Manager. In between all that I managed to fit in the role of Operations Manager for ASR.

Which area of work do you prefer?

I enjoy all of it but at the moment the role of Surveyor suits me perfectly.  I like to be out and about meeting customers and using my experience on whatever building needs looking at.  No two days are the same and even now I can be surprised by the amount of asbestos that is still out there.

I am also qualified to carry out fire risk assessments so I look forward to using that skill as well before long.

What type of buildings do you work on?

All sorts, I have worked on a lot of schools, commercial buildings and I have also carried out a good number of demolition surveys. I haven’t been with Global for long, but I have already worked on the demolition phase of a large Central London development.  The surveying took two of us one week as it comprised 10 shops, four floors of offices and a house.  Being a 1960s development there was plenty of asbestos to be found.

Now I am in Southend, working with Breyer on their South Essex Decent Homes programme to bring social housing up to standard.  The works are to replace kitchens, bathrooms and for rewiring.

And when you are not out on the road hunting down asbestos?

I really make the most of my time with the family.  I’m mad about football and although I don’t play much myself these days I still play with the kids and we enjoy watching my team, Tottenham.