Meet our Team

What does a typical day look like for you at Simian International?

A normal day is making sure quality is delivered in the training and the staff are safe (especially under the new normal). We are complying with all accreditations, sales and finance.

What aspect do you enjoy most about your role at Simian International?

Everything over the past 10 years! The education I have received on different cultures, the travel and the food from West Africa to eastern China. I also enjoy seeing us give life skills to third world scaffolders knowing it will improve their lives.

In your opinion what is the most crucial aspect of scaffolding safety?

Training is my main focus; everyone thinks scaffolding is not a skill but it can collapse, kill and injure many people in one go. Training helps remove bad habits and ensures good practice is known.

How did you come to work in the scaffolding industry?

I am from a family of scaffolders so it was only natural I would end up in the industry, I tried to avoid it but like a magnet the pull was too much.

What is your career highlight so far?

I have had many, from working on the rigs to becoming a chartered safety professional then having training centres worldwide and projects around the world. I have hit many personal targets and seeing people still achieving more in their 70s means I still have another 20 years in me.

What’s the most interesting project you’ve worked on?

I have had 2, one is in Basra where we began from scratch and achieved 6 years accident free. Two is the Shell Prelude project that was the largest ship ever built to drill for gas off Western Australia. Both were exciting and we walked away with no incidents or accidents on both.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Spend time with my wife, 3 daughters and my 2 granddaughters, after 30 years of working away the lockdowns and closed borders have changed my outlook. We also like to travel around the UK sampling restaurants.

What does a typical day look like for you at Simian International?

A full day of responsibilities. I use my positive energy to complete all jobs on a daily basis.

What aspect do you enjoy most about your role at Simian International?

Every day consists of different and challenging jobs. I particularly enjoy communicating with customers and the satisfaction of a completed project.

In your opinion what is the most crucial aspect of scaffolding safety?

Awareness and knowledge.

How did you come to work in the scaffolding industry?

I came through the recommendation of my husband as I was not that aware of the scaffolding industry but now it has become a huge part of my life; I now notice scaffolding structure deeply even when I’m not on work.

What is your career highlight so far?

I have always worked in a technical field. Previously as a Line Leader in Electronic manufacturing company and now I enjoy my work in the scaffolding field.

What’s the most interesting project you’ve worked on?

Completing audit reports for all of our centres successfully.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Spend time with my family and I love to sleep!

What does a typical day look like for you at Simian International?

I kick-start my day with a walk around the training centre to make sure things are working the way they should be before starting my training classes for the day.

What aspect do you enjoy most about your role at Simian International?

Teaching is my passion and I love to transfer my knowledge but at the same time I believe one learns every day, so I also enjoy learning new things from my students and colleagues.

In your opinion what is the most crucial aspect of scaffolding safety?

A safe workplace plays a vital role in building a worker’s confidence, but when it comes to scaffold safety it becomes crucial, as even a small safety lapse can become as disaster.

How did you come to work in the scaffolding industry?

I started my career as a junior scaffolder and gradually enhanced my skills and knowledge to reach my current position as senior scaffold instructor.

What is your career highlight so far?

I would term joining Simian International’s team as a senior scaffold instructor as the highlight of my career so far.

What’s the most interesting project you’ve worked on?

Providing training to the staff of an off-shore site in Africa is the most interesting project I have worked on so far as it was a completely new experience for me and I learned a lot from it.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Learning is an ongoing process, so I try to utilize my free time to gain more up to date knowledge about my job.

What does a typical day look like for you at Simian International?

During my typical workday, I am responsible for overseeing my teams as they progress on various training courses. I check in and help them with any issues they may be having such as doing mock-ups or securing rights to course materials.

What aspect do you enjoy most about your role at Simian International?

I enjoy going to my job every day! I love the variety from the planning, the communication with colleagues, clients and trainees, the creative aspects, the cyclical nature of the job, and my co-workers.

In your opinion what is the most crucial aspect of scaffolding safety?

The key issue for safety when working on scaffolding boils down to whether the scaffold and place is safe to work on.

How did you come to work in the scaffolding industry?

After I graduated I looked for a position within the scaffolding industry. Finding a position with Simian was a huge achievement for me personally as it is such a professional and well-regarded company with an opportunity for on-going training.

What is your career highlight so far?

I started my career in 2003 as a scaffolding helper, before quickly being promoted to Scaffolding Foreman, and eventually Site Foreman. After 13 years I joined Simian International as a Scaffold Instructor, which has allowed me, for the past five years, to work in different countries.

What’s the most interesting project you’ve worked on?

The most interesting project I have worked on has been as a scaffold Instructor; communicating both theory and practical modules with students that I was able to develop.

What do you like to do in your free time?

In my free time mostly I talk to my family and friends, read books and study, currently I am studying PowerPoint.

What does a typical day look like for you at Simian International?

I usually arrive at the training centre at 7am and as an Instructor I make sure all my paper work for the scheduled training is ready. 7.30am onwards I welcome all my candidates and lead them to their classrooms and then begin the training session with centre introductions, follow the relevant lesson plan, until the session ends at 4pm. I then check over paperwork and the training centre’s facilities, ensuring everything is in place before I leave for the day.

What aspect do you enjoy most about your role at Simian International?

Building a good relationship with all of my candidates / colleagues and sharing professional experiences.

In your opinion what is the most crucial aspect of scaffolding safety?

Erecting and using the scaffolding following the relevant standards and guidance is crucial.

How did you come to work in the scaffolding industry?

Most of my family members work in the construction industry so I chose the same field with a focus on scaffolding works.

What is your career highlight so far?

I started my career as a scaffolder, and worked within a number of different roles including charge-hand, scaffold inspector, foreman, supervisor and now I work as an Instructor.

What’s the most interesting project you’ve worked on?

Prelude FLNG Turret

What do you like to do in your free time?

I spend time on social media, as well as spending time with my family & friends.

What does a typical day look like for you at Simian International?

A typical day will often see me carrying out training. If no training courses are scheduled, then I follow the instruction of the Senior Instructor at the centre.

What aspect do you enjoy most about your role at Simian International?

Delivering courses and practical time.

In your opinion what is the most crucial aspect of scaffolding safety?

If you are not following the scaffolding rules & regulations, you put yourself in a dangerous position.

How did you come to work in the scaffolding industry?

My relations and my senior people encouraged me to join the scaffolding industry.

What is your career highlight so far?

First, I was worked as a scaffolding labourer, then scaffolder, before moving onto roles as a scaffolding inspector and foreman. Now I work as a scaffolding instructor at Simian International.

What’s the most interesting project you’ve worked on?

I previously worked at Dry Docks World in Dubai. There I was able to work on the Borwin Project.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I revise our training presentation.

What does a typical day look like for you at Simian International?

A typical day means I am normally busy with training courses. If there is no training scheduled I follow the instruction of the Senior Instructor at the site.

What aspect do you enjoy most about your role at Simian International?

I enjoy working with my team as we co-operative effectively with each other. I also enjoy learning new things every day from the Senior Instructor.

In your opinion what is the most crucial aspect of scaffolding safety?

In my opinion the most crucial aspect of scaffolding safety is ensuring that all people that are carrying out scaffolding activity are trained and follow the correct procedures.

How did you come to work in the scaffolding industry?

My Uncle encouraged me to join due to the future opportunities that scaffolding holds. I blindly chose this field and have enjoyed my job ever since.

What is your career highlight so far?

I began my career as a scaffolder before receiving a promotion to lead man, then onto foreman, senior foreman, supervisor and now I am able to teach people about scaffolding.

What’s the most interesting project you’ve worked on?

The most interesting project I have worked on is the Goldline Metro Project in Qatar, where I worked for five years.

What do you like to do in your free time?

In my free time I like to read updates on the scaffolding industry and review our scaffolding presentations.

What does a typical day look like for you at Simian International?

Every day there is a new experience that gives me the opportunity to enhance my knowledge and abilities.

What aspect do you enjoy most about your role at Simian International?

I am the bridge and main point of contact between the management and customers of Simian International.

In your opinion what is the most crucial aspect of scaffolding safety?

Ensuring that both you and your co-workers are protected whilst working at height.

How did you come to work in the scaffolding industry?

A good salesperson should specialize in products at both consumer and corporate levels, which is why a field such as scaffolding was attractive to me.

What is your career highlight so far?

Joining Simian Skill in Dubai

What’s the most interesting project you’ve worked on?

In 2019, I won a scaffolding training project with a renowned company CAPE which was very interesting. Training sessions are being held under this project to this day.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Spend time with family, cricket, computer gaming, driving.