Movers and shakers Making it Russell Simmons is always looking at ways to make car parks safer, greener and more attractive be that in his day jobs, as director of Stripe Consulting and in his new role as managing director of Ballast Nedam Parking, or as chair of the BPAs Structures Group. He tells Louise Parfitt that it all started many years ago, with a damp, rundown car park in Horsham t was the thought of central heating that really jumpstarted Russell Simmons career. Construction is in his blood its what his family has always done so, after his apprenticeship in bench joinery, he worked on building sites and thought that was where he would stay. When he was offered the opportunity to do structural monitoring for insurance claims, however, he decided to change direction. It had been a particularly cold winter, so when they offered me the job, I thought being in a warm, centrally heated office sounded really nice, he laughs. And I really liked the job. I was diagnosing issues with buildings, which I found so satisfying because I enjoy fixing things. I also enjoyed meeting lots of different people and being able to help them. After a couple of years during which Simmons studied for additional qualifications and earned a promotion or two he got the chance to strike out in the parking world, renovating a car park for Horsham District Council. It was a completely new challenge, but he loved it. Its a very rewarding process: youre finding, diagnosing and fixing complex problems, he says. I Turning luck around When the firm had to make him redundant, Simmons asked his boss, Bret Champion, if he would join forces to set up a partner consultancy specialising in car parks. I explained that it wouldnt cost him anything, but it would enable me to get it off the ground, because having a wellrespected chartered engineer on board would reassure potential clients, Simmons says. He said yes, so we started Pyle Car Park Consultants. Simmons then made sure he joined the BPA: Its the obvious thing to do. At his first meeting of the BPA Parking Structures group, he met chair Chris Whapples whose work hed researched for his university dissertation on car park life-care plans and a lasting friendship was formed. Whapples was keen to support Simmons and advised him to get involved with the group as much as possible. In fact, it was Whapples who Weve been able to raise our concerns about fire risk in car parks, and that has been acknowledged by government, which is a huge step in the right direction later suggested Simmons stand for vice-chair, and then chair when he stepped down. Its a position Simmons has held for seven years now, and he is passionate about it. Its allowed me to meet some interesting people and Ive been able to support others, he says. Weve been able to raise the profile of the importance of structural condition and safety of car parks, because people didnt place much value on them and assumed nothing would go wrong. Its still something were banging the drum about. For example, weve been able to raise our concerns around Approved Document B about fire risk in car parks, and that has been acknowledged by government, which is a huge step in the right direction. Hitting the big time Five successful years after forming Pyle Car Park Consultants, Simmons and Champion decided, amicably, to go their separate 14 britishparking.co.uk PN Nov19 pp14-15 Movers and shakers.indd 14 24/10/2019 15:16