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Technical Team
   
       
 
Ian Griffin: Level 3 Instructor and Consultant

Ian Joined Lavender International in 1989 after gaining his NDT experience at Firth Brown and Special Melted Products in Sheffield.  He is an ANST Level 3 (KM 1301) in MT, PT, UT, RT VT, ET and PCN Level 3 in PT, MT, UT and VT.  IN 1984 Ian gained a HNC in Metallurgy from Sheffield Hallam University.  Ian is one of Lavender International's Senior Instructors who carries out training in preparation for SNT and PCN based courses. He also acts as an examiner for all types of examinations carried out by Lavender International.

Ian's main role within Lavender International is acting as an NDT Material Evaluation Level 3 Consultant mainly within the Aerospace Industry.  This involves acting as Responsible Level 3 on behalf of many sub-contractors to the Aerospace Programmes; auditing, training and carrying out examinations.

The Material Evaluation part of the business has expanded greatly meaning that methods such as Hardness, Conductivity, Anodic Flow Detection, Acid Etch Inspection, Tensile Testing and Heat Treatment have become every bit as important as main stream NDT.  Because of Ian's background he is able to act as Responsible Level 3 in many of these methods, acting as a consultant, training and giving examinations.


   
       
 
Andy Young: Level 3 Instructor and Constultant

Andy Young, with a wealth of NDT experience in the Aerospace; Military; Power; Oilfield and Automotive industries, joined Lavender International in August 2001 as their ninth ASNT NDT Level 3. Andy, who lives in Rotherham, was selected for the position within the newly created Outside Agency Level 3 Services Division mainly as a result of his involvement and experience in Aerospace NDT. Holding ASNT NDT Level 3 in UT, MT, PT, VT, and PCN Aerospace Level 3 in PT and MT, together with his specific knowledge and experience made him the perfect choice for Lavender's new development.
Andy works alongside Gary Elliott, Ian Griffin and administrator Jayne Oliver to enhance the service already provided to a wide range of companies, who utilise Lavender International as their Outside Agency Level 3 provider.
   
       
 
Steve Hewling: Level 3 Instructor

Steve joined Lavender International in 1992 with no previous work experience in NDT. He is one of Lavender International's nine ASNT Level 3s (KM 1821), holding Level 3 status in MT, PT, UT, RT, and VT. Steve's duties involve, as an NDT instructor, carrying out training in preparation for SNT and PCN based courses. He is a member of both the American Society of NDT and the British Institute of NDT.
Steve is also a PCN examiner in Magnetic Particle and Liquid Penetrant Testing. Currently he is involved in the Ultrasonic Testing of Spot Welds.
   
       
 
Alisa Hampshire: Level 3 Instructor

Alisa joined Lavender International in 1997 as part of the Administration team. Soon, however, Alisa discovered that she was more interested in the technical side of NDT and so progressed to the Technical Department, becoming an NDT Technician, displaying a natural talent with Ultrasonic Testing. Currently Alisa is running full courses in MT and PT. Alisa holds Level 2 status in MT, PT, UT, RT, VT with the added accolade of ultrasonic critical sizing certification. Alisa was recently awarded ASNT 2001 NDT technician of the year, and has been forwarded for the 2002 award in America. Alisa is now a member of both the BINDT and ASNT. In her spare time, Alisa likes to let her hair down by socialising with her friends. She also enjoys keeping healthy by kickboxing and visiting the gym. In October 2005 Alisa successfully passed her ASNT and PCN Level 3 exams.
   
       
 
Brian Rush: Level 3 Instructor

Brian is currently living in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, with Marilyn and one grown-up daughter, one other daughter and one son live in the area. He enjoys gardening, and occasionally relaxing there, walking in the nearby Peak National Park, cycling, reading and music. He still find time to ride motorcycles, at a sedate pace, as a source of recreation. Recent studies with the Open University have been directed at environmental issues.
Brian grew up in North Nottinghamshire mining community, but parental decree did not allow employment at the local colliery, they advised pursuit of higher education.
He initially worked in educational and industrial laboratories, qualifying in chemistry and using this in Quality Control and Analytical roles. Eventually becoming involved with the world of NDT through a pressure vessel and tubing manufacturer and latterly a aerospace forgings supplier. This resulted in a gradual progression from Level 1 to ASNT.NDT. Level 3 status – He is employed here at Lavender International as part of the Outside Agency Level 3 Services Department.
   
       
 
Noel Bostwick: UT Trainer

Noel joined the Lavender Technical Team in February 2002. Noel holds UT, MT, and PT at Level 2, and is currently aiding UT and RT courses. Previously, Noel worked at CI Engineering in Quality Assurance. In his spare time, Noel enjoys socialising, and is a keen follower of most major sports. Noel also spends his time looking after his 2 teenage children.
   
       
 

David Miller: MT;PT UT trainer

David joined Lavender International in September 2003, after leaving Penistone Grammar School with very good qualifications. He is now an assistant trainer in the magnetic and penetrant department and holds PCN level 2 in both methods. Looking to the future David will be moving over to the ultrasonic department to assist Noel Bostwick and will hopefully continue his excellent support to the Level 3s in this area.

David was ASNT's North Atlantic Section Technician of the Year for 2006

   
       
 
Richard Horsfall

Richard Horsfall

Richard joined Lavender International in August 2008 having over 20 years NDT experience, 4 of which were at Lavenders in the 1980’s. He holds level PCN level 2 in UT Phased Array,3.9, castings and forgings, MPI & DPI.  He will be working alongside Steve Hewling and Tim Armitt in the advanced Ultrasonic’s department working towards his level 3 examinations in due course. He started work in local steel industry on heavy castings and forgings and progressed into the inspection of oil/gas pipeline’s followed by time in the power generation sectors at home and overseas on the repair/ maintenance of steam turbines

 

   
       
 
Maurice Russell

Maurice Russell

Joined  Lavender International in February 2007.
Started in NDT in 1968 at Palmer N.D.T. Site Inspection, but moved to Doncaster Bramahs in 1971 obtaining the Rolls Royce AQD approval in radiography at level II, and then NAS 410 level II in MT and PT.
In 2003 achieved P.C.N. level III in RT, MT and PT, and became Rolls Royce Corporation approved at level III in RT and PT.
Was promoted to Doncaster Bramahs Company Level III in 2005 and a year later, obtained Rolls Royce Plc approval to level III in RT MT and PT, also achieving Boeing approval to level III in RT and PT.
Hobbies include watching football, ( as well as Sheffield Wednesday), playing golf, and music

   
       
 

Neil Samson

Neil joined the Level 3 Outside Agency Services Group in April 2005 and will be working his way towards ASNT Level 3 in Radiography and Penetrant inspection


   
       
 
Philip Hall

Philip Hall

Phil joined LI in 2008 after 20 years gaining his NDT experience in the foundry sector, his primary method being RT. Prior to this Philip served an apprenticeship in Mech.Eng., after which he worked in the mining industry and the offshore oilfields of the Middle East and India.
Philip will be working with the RT department in developing Digital Radiography Course Provision.
Philip enjoys playing football and running and spending valuable time with his wife and three sons