Simon Tinkler
After studying for a degree in Engineering in the mid 90’s, I have worked in the HDD industry since the year 2000 and started off as a Steering engineer working with magnetic steering tools, moving from the field to office and into management roles with my last company. I joined SlimDril in 2010 as operations manager working closer to home when at the old location in Great Yarmouth. I have helped grow the business and increasing the product range, taking the role of Business development Manager in 2019 after a change of ownership and look forward to working at the new premises in Lowestoft and developing the business with the team.
I live in a small village in Suffolk near where I grew up, with my partner. We enjoy village life, the local pubs, produce and countryside. I enjoy travelling, meeting new people, learning about new cultures, trying new things and socialising with friends and family.
My passion is cars, motorcycles, classic car racing, the social scene that goes with all of that and vintage automobilia. I won the MG car clubs National championships in 2013 & 2015 in the car prepared and built my myself which I still race today. I also drive other peoples cars in team events and endurance racing when the time allows. I continue to enjoy my classic cars, I am currently learning new skills working on a pre-war Austin 7 sports car and have since got back into motorcycles since recently acquiring an 1940’s BSA.
To keep fit I am a keen runner and enjoy cycling around the local area visiting…. Pubs mainly !. I am an active member of a local running club doing mainly 10K events with the odd half marathon thrown in now and then !.
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Stuart Brown
In the late 80’s I started as a trainee OCTG Inspector, working in the oil and gas industry. After qualifying, I spent the next 14 years working on drilling rigs. Both offshore and onshore in the UK and Europe. Whilst working for Tuboscope, I went to Houston for training on the Gatorhawk pressure test unit. I moved from inspection into rental side of the oilfield in the early 2000’s working for Workstrings International and Then International Tubular Services. In 2014, I joined SlimDril after 25 years in the oil and gas industry, to work between the workshop and some office duties. Through the last few years, the roles have reversed until in 2019, I took on the role of Operations Manager. It has been a full on start, having to study to get the IOSH Managing Safely certificate. However, that has allowed getting all our Health and Safety up to date.
I am Norfolk born and bred, and still living in a nice little village only a few miles from the office. The village has all my partner and I need. We enjoy being close to nature in the countryside. It is ideal for going out for walks or going fishing, which we both enjoy.
I like to keep myself fit, so I can carry on playing rugby. Which as you will know is the best sport. Training at Great Yarmouth Broadland Rugby Club twice a week and playing most Saturday’s through the season. During the spring and summer to relax a bit. I enjoy going fishing, a bit of cycling and the occasional visit to the pub.
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Shelly Shearing
Throughout my working career apart from a few years working as a PA within the NHS I have always predominantly worked within the oil & gas / drilling industry. I have taken on many roles in the past including reception duties, inspection secretary, health and safety, PA to managers, and eventually leaving to help run the family business. I took a break for a few years when I married and had my 3 children. I then returned to work with SlimDril and have been with the company for 10 years within the role of secretary which also covers the accounts as well as admin and offers a variety of responsibilities keeping the job interesting and enjoyable.
I live in a small village not far from where I grew up. My three children whom I am incredibly proud of are now all older and so gives me the freedom to enjoy my favourite activities such as playing squash, going to the gym, long walks with my dog, cooking, eating out and enjoying the odd Gin & Tonic!
I have seen many great changes within SlimDril and look forward to seeing many more!
Gwyndaf Jones
Joining us for 2021 with over 15 years’ experience in the HDD industry, from Steering Engineer, to Project Management and also a BSc in Civil Engineering and Environmental Management, Gwyndaf Joes joins us as Sales and Technical Support Manager, completing the Operations Department here in Lowestoft.
We are delighted to have Gwyndaf on board and with his knowledge and capabilities, feel more confident than ever that we can continue supporting all of our customers globally in Guidance Services, Products & Tooling.
Cove Smith
I studied Engineering in college straight out of school but soon developed a taste for IT shortly after completing my courses. After college I worked in the IT and video camera industry for about eight years before developing an itch for engineering once again. I joined SlimDril in 2019 taking on the role of Workshop Operative to clean, repair, service and in some cases deliver drilling equipment.
I live in a small village in Norfolk near where I grew up and love to visit the local pubs with friends and events in the local seaside town. My passion is gaming and technology, with a focus on building and upgrading computers and experimenting with new software and hardware. I have recently taken an interest in drone photography in the hope I will soon develop the skills required to repair and compete in drone racing.
When I am not tinkering with technology I am out with my friends at the local pubs and seeing live bands across the country. I actively go swimming and gym a few times a week to keep fit.
Check out my Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/cove-smith
Tom Fisher
I moved from working in the field to an office role in 2012, and in 2017 my family and I emigrated from the UK to the Bahrain, where I worked as Operations Coordinator for a gyro steering company in Saudi Arabia. We moved back to the UK towards the end of 2018, and since then I have been running magnetic steering tools around Europe, primarily on geothermal projects.
I joined SlimDril at the end of 2019 as a Steering Engineer, bringing my 13 years’ of oilfield experience to the HDD business.
I live with my wife and two sons in a hamlet in East Yorkshire, where we have bought my grandparents’ old house to restore. I enjoy renovating properties; this is our third project and has been a great learning experience, building on the skills I’ve learnt on the previous projects.
We enjoy the country life and the freedom it brings. We live within walking distance of the beach and spend a lot of time there, exploring with the children. As a family, we enjoy snowboarding, going to festivals and travelling to new places, discovering new cultures and trying new experiences. When I get time to myself, I enjoy climbing, downhill mountain biking and playing squash in the local league.
Dragos Bratosin
After finishing the UTCB (University of Tehnical Constructions Bucharest) in 2008, I set up my own H.V.A.C. company, leading a 10 workers (5 engineers and 5 plumbers) team.
In 2012 I found a very interesting job in HDD, beeing a steering engineer you never get borred or get into the routine.
Meanwhile, I moved in a small village near Bucharest, got married and had 2 wonderful children.
In 2016 I was lucky to get in contact with Slimdril International and start working together.
I completed my knowledges, learning the last surveying program and meet the Gyro tool. This is how I became one of the 5th steering engineers in the world who can drill with all of the steering tools available on the market.
In this company I found honest, respectful, friendly and warm people who offered me all the support for my professional development.
Now, at 37 years old, I am fulfilled having a wonderful family and a great career.
Alexandru Randunica
I finished the University in 2003 with a Bachelor degree in Automation and Industrial Informatics. My first job was for Osram – one of the biggest manufacturer of bulbs light in the world. Was not really what I was looking for and a friend of my dad ( he was working 40 years in the Oil & Gas industry as Directional driller) offered me a job in the oil industry. Was a German company specialized in Steering services and tooling supplier. Here I’ve learned to work as a MWD operator and Directional driller.
In 2006, I’ve was introduced to HDD industry working as a surveyor. Was an interesting project in Sweden – drilling under a mountain to freeze the formation; I was very proud when the project was presented on Discovery Channel at extreme engineering few years later.
Was a nice opportunity as since I’ve been involved in drilling few world records for the industry and some of my projects was presented in word wide magazines
In 2012 I did it a go to work as a Operations supervisor, but after few years in the office I realized that I missed the action and decided to return in the field. I joined SlimDril in 2018 as a Steering Engineer as I liked the idea of learning new tools – always good to have new challenges, otherwise can be pretty boring.
On a personal note, I live in Romania, I’m married since 2006 and have three daughters – the biggest joy of my life. Not a big sports fan, my favourite activity is to spend time in the nature either mountains or beach. This is one of the reasons that I like the job ;moving from place to place, have the opportunity to spend time outside and also meet new people.
Gary England
company back in September 2021 to lead the independent Drill-Pipe,
Tubular & Thread Inspection division that was set up to support our
client base.
I have over 30 years of knowledge and experience in Thread, OCTG &
BHA tooling inspections and was previously Facility Supervisor at
Tubecare Inspection in Gt Yarmouth up until its closure in 2017. I also
assist in the dressing & preparation of tooling for our HDD Steering
tooling and make-up/break-out service for our HDD & Oilfield
projects.
In my personal time I enjoy Sea Fishing, Horse & Carriage riding and
working on my allotment.
My LinkedIn Profile