Hobbies and Interests:
Outside work, I enjoy motorcycling, valuing the focus and safety awareness it requires I’m keen on DIY and enjoy hands‑on problem solving I also practice air‑gun target shooting, developing discipline, precision, an
Robert Whalley
Blackburn,Lancashire
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager
Practical Refrigeration Training Centre
10.2023 - Current
- Deliver and assess apprenticeship programmes and commercial training courses, ensuring full compliance with awarding body requirements, contractual obligations, and sector standards.
- Conduct robust learner assessments, evaluating knowledge, skills, and behaviours, and providing clear, developmental feedback to support learner progress and achievement.
- Carry out Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) audits, sampling assessment and delivery practices, identifying areas for improvement, and supporting assessors to maintain consistency and quality standards.
- Lead and facilitate standardisation meetings, ensuring assessment decisions are fair, valid, reliable, and in line with awarding body guidance.
- Deliver online awareness training and on-site training programmes, adapting delivery methods to meet learner needs while maintaining high levels of engagement and learning outcomes.
- Undertake General Manager duties, including operational oversight of training delivery, staff coordination, and performance management where required.
- Conduct site visits with existing and prospective clients, acting as a key point of contact to promote services, discuss training requirements, and support business development activities.
- Secure new business opportunities by building strong client relationships, identifying training needs, and contributing to commercial growth.
- Ensure training facilities and premises comply with relevant regulations and standards, including health and safety, safeguarding, and awarding body requirements.
Service Supervisor
J & E Hall
06.2023 - 10.2023
- Directly supervise a team of service engineers/technicians.
- To accurately estimate labour cost of maintenance, service & repair work and prepare quotations for customers.
- To help allocate labour to maintenance, service, installation and repair contracts with specific responsibility for customer satisfaction and financial result.
- To carry out simple design and project work from catalogue sales. Agree and meet sales margin with Service Manager.
- To plan all service, maintenance, installation and repair work using available records, estimates, drawings and specifications to meet contract requirements.
- To ensure training for Engineers and Technicians is carried out as necessary.
- In conjunction with Service Manager to ensure maximum utilisation of human and material resources, providing engineering support as required.
- To exercise proper control over work in progress, ensuring speedy job completion.
- To ensure that the Company’s technical and safety standards are maintained in accordance with Health & Safety Practices as outlined in the Company Health and Safety procedures and to make recommendations for improvements as necessary as well as the reporting of accidents.
- Responsible for the authorisation of timesheets and expenses for input and that this information is reflected on sales invoices.
- To perform other related duties as assigned or requested.
- Strong planning and organisational skills; ability to work to tight deadlines and manage conflicting priorities
Technical Service Manager
EQUANS
10.2021 - 06.2023
- Managing mechanical bias workforce and assist with the management of others.
- Following the HTM requirement across 2 sites (Blackburn and Burnley).
- To contribute to the financial performance of the contract particularly around operational efficiency and subcontract procurement.
- Carrying out all AP duties were appointed as and when required.
- To work with relevant operational leads to ensure the service delivery across the full range of services is continually improving.
- Ensuring all KPI's are hit within the department to meet SLA requirements.
- Ensuring all mechanical systems are compliant and paperwork up to date and in relevant folders.
- To ensure compliance with company procedures for the effective planning organisation and data.
- Carry out regular engineers Work/Competence audits and PDR’s.
- Data reporting to organise and plan accurate and timely lifecycle works.
- Staff management of reactive/PPM technical engineering team and supervisors including all HR related enquiries.
- Managing contractors across the whole site.
- Recruitment of new engineers when required.
- Participate with the managers on call rota dealing with technical escalation issues.
- Engaging with work force with TBT’s and SHEQ related bulletins.
- Available for all training to improve my own personal development.
- Lead the Technical Services Supervisor in the management and engagement of the operational staff.
- Enforce and comply with company Health and Safety Regulations.
- Management and implementation of lifecycle projects around high-risk mechanical and water systems around site.
- Technical and investigative reporting to appropriate parties for various reasons e.g., Health and Safety incidents or loss of services and root cause analysis.
- Reviewing OEMs for variations and life cycle works across site.
- Attending Medical Gas Ventilation and Water safety meetings.
- General paperwork management, Method Statements, Risk Assessments, O&M Documentation, general correspondence between the client and contractors.
National Technical Service Manager
Mitie PFI
06.2018 - 09.2021
- Managing multi skilled workforce across all contracts. (40+ engineers).
- Carrying out all appointed AE duties as and when required.
- Ensuring all KPI's are hit within the department to meet SLA requirements.
- Responsible for QHSE on site including plant and equipment safety and staff safe working practices.
- Managing contractors on various sites and projects.
- Carry out condition surveys to all HVAC assets on all schools within the Mitie PFI portfolio to assist Lifecycle/Tech team.
- Ensuring engineers compliance records are completed for each of the schools. (120+ throughout England Scotland and Wales).
- Carry out regular engineers Work/Competence audits.
- Data reporting to organise and plan accurate and timely lifecycle works.
- Staff management of Reactive/PPM technical engineering team and supervisors including all HR related enquiries.
- Responsible for keeping all competences and qualifications for all engineers up to date.
- Ensuring availability for all training to improve my own personal development.
- Engaging with work force with TBT’s and QSHE related bulletins.
- Recruitment of new engineers when required.
- Available for HR and Health and Safety investigations when required.
- Attending all Reactive and PPM update meetings onsite and Teams.
- To work with relevant operational leads to ensure the service delivery across the full range of services is continually improving.
Teacher/Trainer /Assessor
Practical Refrigeration Training Centre
03.2017 - 06.2018
- Preparing Lessons.
- Delivering training qualifications to engineers (F-Gas2079/Brazing).
- Delivering City and Guilds Level 2 and 3 training to apprentices.
- Assessment of Level 2 and 3 to apprentices.
- Invigilating City and Guilds Exams.
- Internally Verifying students and accessors work ready for marking by City and Guilds.
- On site practical assessment of students.
- Maintenance of all equipment used for training.
- Onsite training to engineers.
- Availability for Tutor Training updates and forums.
- Engaging with employer meetings and forums promoting training and apprenticeships.
Service Engineer
E Jordon Refrigeration LTD
04.2016 - 03.2017
- Diagnose faults to a whole range of refrigeration and A/C equipment including (Pack systems Ice machines Bottle coolers Cellar coolers Dispense coolers Walk in fridges and freezers etc).
- Once fault located carry out repair or record what parts are needed to complete all works.
- Accurately complete all relevant paperwork also on tablet including engineer’s report and any permits to work.
- Installation and commissioning of new equipment.
- Carry out site surveys to aid in quotations for new equipment.
- To complete planned maintenance activities including completing appropriate asset and condition reports ensuring any defects reported to customer.
- Ensure vehicle always kept clean and inspection lists kept up to date.
- Keep van stock and refrigerants up to date.
- Available for any training or refresher courses.
- Available for call out at weekends and evenings (1 week in 8).
- Liaise with customer to arrange revisits work permits and most convenient time to revisit.
Service Engineer
Kool It Services Ltd
11.2015 - 04.2016
- Diagnose faults to a whole range of refrigeration and A/C equipment including (Ice machines Cellar coolers Dispense coolers Walk in fridges and freezers etc).
- Once fault located carry out repair or record what parts are needed to complete all works.
- Accurately complete all relevant paperwork also on tablet including engineer’s report and any permits to work.
- Installation of new equipment.
- Carry out site surveys to aid in quotations for new equipment.
- To complete planned maintenance activities including completing appropriate asset and condition reports ensuring any defects reported to customer.
- Ensure vehicle always kept clean and inspection lists kept up to date.
- Available for any training or refresher courses.
Senior Supervisor Engineer
Forest UK Ltd
05.2009 - 11.2015
- Responsible for technical advice to over 26 Engineers.
- Mentoring several apprentices during training.
- Liaising with Training officers.
- Carrying out Engineer Audits to ensure safe and correct standards are followed.
- Carry out service installation and quality audits.
- Reporting back to directors once a month any problems that may need addressing.
- Carry out all Service Engineers Daily Duties.
- Be available for any relevant training or refresher courses.
Service Engineer
Forest UK Ltd
08.1999 - 05.2009
- Diagnose faults to a whole range of refrigeration equipment including (Ice machines Cellar coolers Dispense coolers Walk in fridges and freezers etc).
- Once fault located carry out repair or record what parts are needed to complete all works.
- Accurately complete all relevant paperwork including engineer’s report and any permits to work or Pronett.
- Installation and commissioning of new equipment.
- Carry out site surveys to aid in quotations for new equipment.
- Available for out of hours call Rota.
- Available for out of hours when not on Rota.
- To complete planned maintenance activities including completing appropriate asset and condition reports ensuring any defects reported to customer.
- Always ensure vehicle kept clean and inspection lists kept up to date.
- Available for any training or refresher courses.
Education
Level 3 Award HWSS - Hot Water safety systems
01.2025
Level 3 Award Water Regulations -
01.2025
Level 4 IQA -
01.2024
City and Guilds 2078 Ammonia Handling Certificate -
01.2024
First Aid at work -
01.2023
AP Medical Gas Pipeline Systems - (HTM 01-02 APMGPS)
01.2022
AP Ventilation - (HTM 03-01 APV)
01.2022
AP High Risk Pressurised systems -
01.2022
RP Natural Gas and LPG systems -
01.2022
RP F-Gas on all Refrigerated systems -
01.2022
UKATA Duty to Manage Asbestos -
01.2022
Skills
2021
AP Confined Spaces (AP17)
2019
City and Guilds (2382-18)18th edition
AP Steam Boilers and pressure system safe isolation (AP11)
AP F-Gas
AP Hot works
2018
Level 3 Refrigeration/Air Conditioning (6187)
Level 3 Hydrocarbon Handling Certificate (6187-21)
Qualified First Aider
2017
IOSH Managing Safely
Qualified Trainer (Level 5)
2011
City and Guilds 2079 F – Gas Certificate
Qualified as an A1 Assessor (EDI Level 3 Award)
2010
Hydrocarbon Handling Certificate (R32/R600) Level 2
2008
IT Essentials II Network Operating Systems
2007
IT Essentials I PC Hardware and Software
ECDL Certificate
2006
ECDL Part 1
Between 1981 and 1985
Attended Blackburn Technology College on day and block release
City and Guilds
BECS Certificate
MECS Part 1 Certificate
MECS Part 2 (A) Certificate
MECS Part 2 (B) Final Certificate
Interests
Timeline
General Manager
Practical Refrigeration Training Centre
10.2023 - Current
Service Supervisor
J & E Hall
06.2023 - 10.2023
Technical Service Manager
EQUANS
10.2021 - 06.2023
National Technical Service Manager
Mitie PFI
06.2018 - 09.2021
Teacher/Trainer /Assessor
Practical Refrigeration Training Centre
03.2017 - 06.2018
Service Engineer
E Jordon Refrigeration LTD
04.2016 - 03.2017
Service Engineer
Kool It Services Ltd
11.2015 - 04.2016
Senior Supervisor Engineer
Forest UK Ltd
05.2009 - 11.2015
Service Engineer
Forest UK Ltd
08.1999 - 05.2009