Meet The Team

Enjoying the finer things in life: good food and wine, travelling to Paris and Rome, things could have been very different for Paul if his love of football had turned into a career. Instead Paul has developed his expertise and proficiency in the field of accountancy, gaining valuable experience in sectors as diverse as pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, hospitality and now environmental. Still keen to keep himself fit and healthy Paul has other talents that fall outside sports; dining etiquette (Silver Service Waiting Skills) and diplomacy, "My favourite food is my Mother-in-Law's dumpling," - no wonder he has to keep up his gym membership!

yvonne@vanwalt.com

+44 (0)1428 664851

Yvonne Coonan

Manager

Yvonne has over 30 years' experience working in the environmental research and monitoring sector. She has been a key figure in the growth and development of Van Walt and over the years has worked in most areas of the business including field work and sales. Her current responsibilities are Business Development, Group Accounts and Purchasing. A party animal at heart, outside of Van Walt, Yvonne has an active, fun filled social life with family and friends

fleur@vanwalt.com

+44 (0)1428 661 660

Fleur Harding

Sales and Rental Administrator

With a Business Studies degree from Bournemouth University, Fleur has bucket loads of theory to which she has added practical experience in sales and rental administration, since arriving at Van Walt! Her attention to detail means your paperwork, all delivery records and updates to our CRM system are accurate and up to date. Juggling equipment availability with customer demand, Fleur spends lots of time checking and re-checking you get the equipment you need, when you need it! Away from the office Fleur is a proud auntie and enthusiastic socializer with friend and family.

mhughes@vanwalt.com

+44 (0)1428 661 660

Max Hughes

Technical Project Manager & Support

Max has a background in engineering and for the last 10+ years has been working in the heavy plant industry bringing with him the skills needed to come up with solutions to any problems he might come across. Max is your go to guy when it comes to designing bespoke telemetry networks and will be your friendly face on site, these site visits could range from flow gauging streams to carrying out site surveys and yearly system maintenance. In his spare time, he volunteers at his local sailing club and enjoys spending his weekends on the water, sailing and participating in other water sports.

jess@vanwalt.com

+44 (0)1428 661660

Jess Irvine

Project Manager

With a head for process management and procedures, Jess manages quality & environmental compliance throughout the organisation and she is responsible for assessing and suggesting improvements to internal business processes. Jess joined Van Walt in 2012 supporting the marketing and sales functions, her creative streak and passion for design is something we constantly tap into - the jewel of level loggers could get very interesting!

ikky@vanwalt.com

+44 (0)1428 664852

Ikky Izagaren

Sales & Customer Relationship Manager

Ikky has been with the company for well over a decade now, and has amassed a wealth of knowledge on groundwater monitoring and soil research equipment. Ikky has been involved as a key member of the Van Walt sales team. Through the years she's developed the network of customers and is widely known for her professionalism; often laced with banter and a topping of cheekiness. Her rapport with our customers is inspiring as is her leadership of the team that works for her.

tom@vanwalt.com

+44 (0)1428 661660

Tom Raggett

Rental & Repairs Technician

With a four year electrical apprenticeship under his belt, Tom adds skill and expertise and is an integral member of the rental and repairs team. He is responsible for making sure all equipment is prepared and calibrated within spec ready for our customers site works. His years of experience is invaluable and he is always at the end of the phone to assist with customers technical queries and offer any training required. Tom is Van Walt's first campanologist, but doesn't confine his musical ability to bell ringing - he's also a keen percussionist and has played with several bands. Add to that a passion for hiking, climbing and reading Tolkien it's hardly surprising that his football team of choice is York City Football Club - he's a Minsterman!

max@vanwalt.com

+44 (0)1428 664856

Max Salgado-Nacke

Trainee Engineer

What to look for in a Trainee Engineer - attitude, attitude, attitude and Max has plenty of that! Positive, courteous with a keen enthusiasm for anything new. Max calls it: "Enjoy life the best you can, work hard, continually learn, have a laugh while you're at it, be a nice person and nice things will come your way"! With experience in engineering it's no surprise to see Max taking apart a datalogger or soil moisture probe and the next minute pouring over a spreadsheet. Attention to detail is important in his role at Van Walt just as it is when painting miniatures - one of the ways he like to spend his free time!

dvanwalt@vanwalt.com

+44 (0)1428 661660

David van Walt

CEO

David, eldest son of Kaja and Vincent van Walt, joins the business with a wealth of knowledge in management, business continuity and service delivery. He has 21 years of invaluable big-business experience - key for Van Walt's future success. Now is his time to make the sale and distribution of environmental research equipment his passion. With the support of the team, across all four office locations, he will be developing strategies and opportunities to innovate and grow the business. He will ensure we profitably meet the needs of our customers with equipment and services they trust, to deliver the information they need. Sounds simple. David is going to need all his experience, intellect and parenting skills for the challenge. Will it be interesting and varied - yes and also very exciting!

rosie@vanwalt.com

+44 (0)1428 664856

Rosie van Walt

Sales: Business Opportunities Researcher

After working for Van Walt during her college and uni days, Rosie took some time off to explore other areas of interest, but fifteen years later she is now back as our business opportunities researcher! Rosie is always looking for new opportunities to help develop the business and company brand, and can be found meeting and greeting old and new customers alike. She is determined to establish and maintain strong, long-lasting relationships with customers around the UK and can often be found driving the length and breadth of the country visiting customers - particularly when she hasn't convinced them to visit Van Walt, where she is proud to show what we can offer - equipment, services and a good dose of tea, coffee and cake!

vincent@vanwalt.com

+44 (0)1428 664850

Vincent van Walt

Director responsible for Marketing and R&D

Vincent has many years' experience in the environmental field - more than he is prepared to admit to! More than 30 years ago he and Kaja, his wife, established Van Walt to fill a gap in the market for equipment that provides consistent, accurate results - equipment that sets the standard for soil and groundwater monitoring and research. Today he remains equally as committed and still spends the majority of his time sharing his expertise on groundwater field techniques, percussion drilling, soil moisture measurement and mineral exploration with customers at home and abroad. As an enthusiastic sailor he has learnt to appreciate the combination of quality and craftsmanship to create something that is both functional and beautiful.

kim@vanwalt.com

+44 (0)7584 160792

Kim Yarranton

Customer Development and Communications Manager

Kim has joined the Van Walt team with a strong background in Business Development and Customer Relations. Talking is what she does best so as our Customer Development and Communications Manager, this seems to be the perfect role. You will find her out and about meeting customers and always delivers on the chocolate biscuits!

montse@vanwalt.com

+34 935 900 007

Montse Ampuy

Director

Montse, daughter of the founder of Analab, Jaume Ampuy, has accumulated much experience over the years she has worked in the business. Dedicated to the environmental sector, Montse is as at home with augers, soil moisture meters, water level loggers and chemical risk management as most women are with shopping! She has made the sale and distribution of environmental research equipment her life's work particularly since taking over the management of the business in 2012. Her ambition is to see Van Walt as the preferred choice for environmental consultants and researchers throughout Spain. As of 2014 she has taken on an additional role as Senior Manager of the Van Walt Group with the particular responsibility for staff motivation, performance and wellbeing of the group. Montse's other passion is shoes, she has had an enduring love affair with fabulous footwear for longer than she has been at Van Walt - and shoes, as every woman knows, are the best therapy for any stress in your life!

candi@vanwalt.com

+34 935 900 007

Candi Fernandez

Sales Support & Administration

After 20 years looking after the administration of Analab, Candi knows each and every detail of the business from our customers through to all our suppliers. She has become a specialist in hand augering as a result of her drive to learn more about the equipment we supply and is ready to share her knowledge with you. Candi is always happy to hear from you. Cheerful and friendly; in her spare time you will find her swimming, diving or dancing salsa.

ramon@vanwalt.com

+34 935 900 007

Ramon Quiles

Senior Technical Specialist

With an extensive theoretical background on black holes and all things related to the Universe, Ramon has spent the last 20 years learning about the whole process of analysis of samples, from sampling itself to the most advanced soil analysis techniques, including sample preparation. He can now advise you on equipment for all your groundwater monitoring and soil sampling and analysis needs, making certain you have the right equipment and maximum return on your investment. Always ready to take a risk, he is a compulsive karaoke singer, enjoys fooling around with model trains and is a keen mountain climber (when his teenage daughters allow him!).

gimena@vanwalt.com

+34 935 900 007

Gimena Rodriguez

Sales: Telemetry & Sensors

Gimena describes herself as a vocational and professional geologist - with a passion to understand the landscape around her. Ideal qualifications for anyone involved in specifying and installing sensors and telemetry to monitor the environment. This together with her "can-do", positive attitude to life, and whatever it throws at you, stand her in good stead to deal with the most challenging of situations - always with a smile. Not content with continuously working to find the right solutions at work, Gimena also likes to experiment in the kitchen, constantly developing new recipes; in between restoring the furniture her and her partner will use to enjoy their meals!

jordi@vanwalt.com

+34 935 900 007

Jordi Corbera

Rental & Commercial Assistant

Jordi is our latest addition to the Spanish team; he has a degree in Environmental Sciences and a Masters in Renewable Energy. He is clearly passionate about the preservation of the environment, which coincides with the philosophy of Van Walt. Jordi can be found in the rental department offering the best equipment solutions for clients, as well as support in the field. He enjoys his free time climbing or riding his motorbike, he is also a big fan of football and even more of FC Barcelona - the team of his heart!

lydia@vanwalt.com

+34 935 900 007

Lydia Arroyo

Sales and Business Development

I am a geographer and a technician in management of soil and water. I love to scape into nature whenever I can, discover new places and live new experiences as much as I can. I also enjoy my free time doing sports such as Basketball or Archery.

casey@vanwalt.com

+64 (0)3443 5326

Casey Fallaver

Customer Relationship Management & Sales

It comes with the territory: you live in New Zealand - you have a passion for the great outdoors! Combine that with a science degree and experience in an environmental chemistry laboratory and what you have is the ideal background to work for Van Walt. Casey is customer-facing and provides technical advice on equipment options and quotes. With an eye for detail and experience of what our customers need, she works behind the scenes to promote Van Walt equipment, solutions and field services, as well as being the go-to-person for all things health, safety and well-being for the New Zealand team. Based in Oakura, Taranaki, Casey enjoys working from home so she can still indulge in surfing, yoga and chasing her kids around the beach!

mandy@vanwalt.com

+64 (0)3443 5326

Mandy Knight

New Zealand Operations & Office Manager

It's no surprise that Mandy, from our New Zealand office, is a sports enthusiast - just like her colleagues! As a keen walker she can enjoy the beautiful Central Otago landscape and keep fit! And she needs all her energy because most of her spare time is taken up with her grandchildren - this means a lot of travelling at the weekends to see them all! Mandy, with a lot of administrative experience under her belt, has honed her skills of time management; persuasion; perseverance; team work; flexibility and adaptability to keep the New Zealand office running efficiently and smoothly while still finding the drive for her other passions - reading and being with her friends!

dirk@vanwalt.com

+64 (0)3443 5326

Dirk van Walt

Customer Relationship Management, Technical Sales & Field Work

Ever since he was old enough to sit up Dirk has been obsessed (much to the frustration of his father) with taking things apart and finding out how they work (Vincent's favourite camera has never quite been the same since). These days are no exception other than that Dirk is able to put them back together in working order again! Dirks formal training in wooden boat building and engineering serves him well in his position at Van Walt. When he is not at work you will find him in the garage getting creative with timber or tinkering on his car. Having laid down his chisels and power tools as a form of income Dirk's new obsession is building the Van Walt name in New Zealand and getting to know your needs.

mitch@vanwalt.com

+64 (0)3443 5326

Mitch Molloy

Rental Technician, Support & Field Work

Expertise: Landscapes are part of Mitch's DNA. Returning to New Zealand from two and half years in Canada, with experience in Sales & Marketing and leading a team of landscapers, he can now take advantage of his native country's great outdoors. With a degree in Management & Marketing, from Dunedin University and some equipment training from Van Walt, he has the skills to work with our customers to ensure the equipment meets their needs - each and every time. Plus, in his free time, being able to enjoy skiing and mountain biking in New Zealand's South Island, as well as his growing passion for painting - landscapes of course!

jani@vanwalt.com

+27 21 518 1347

Jani van Gend

Director

With a passion for science and the environment, and educated in Earth Sciences, Jani is well placed to take on the challenge of managing Van Walt South Africa. She has the drive and ambition to develop the business, taking our data collection telemetry to new customers, in new sectors, providing solutions to their water, groundwater and soil science monitoring needs. A love of the outdoors makes her well placed for time onsite providing advice or installing equipment, good news she's not afraid to get her hands dirty! As Jani says herself: “I'll do whatever it takes to make a success of Van Walt South Africa.” The rest of the team at Van Walt will be supporting her all the way with this exciting new venture.

charl@vanwalt.com

+27 21 518 1347

Charl Muller

Technical Sales Manager

With an Honours degree in Applied Geology and a Masters in Geotechnical Engineering we should not be surprised Charl has a love of nature and being outdoors. His qualifications and experience as a consulting Hydrogeologist, and work on geotechnical engineering projects, has fueled this passion and given him the experience we were looking for to develop our South Africa operation. Playing to his technical strengths and desire to help others, Charl works with customers to find the right equipment solutions to meet their environmental monitoring and research needs. When not at work, this 'people-person' enjoys a round of golf or socializing with family and friends over a glass (or two) of South African red wine!

elani@vanwalt.com

+27 21 518 1347

Elani Alberts

Financial & Office Administrator & Commercial Assistant

Elani is highly experienced in Finance, Administration and has a huge range of technical skills acquired over 20 years working in related fields. She is an expert in finance having worked with some of the biggest names in several different industries. She is passionate about helping individuals and companies achieve their goals and she has been recognised for her outstanding contributions to companies.

In addition to her professional work, Elani is also actively involved in the Drum Majorettes as a member of the Western Cape Association, she also enjoys playing Jukskei for the Western Cape and riding motorcycles, being the founder of the Storm Chasers Motorcycle Club in Cape Town.

Elani is always willing to help and, if need be, she will manage your accounts, design a dress and fix your computer - all at the same time!

Have a question?

Call us on 01428 661 660 and we will put you through to the person who can help or email sales@vanwalt.com.