It’s been busy at SVMA, and we are delighted to welcome five fabulous new team members, all with their own specialities and unique journeys.
We asked them to introduce themselves, and we’d love for you to meet them all. They are a lovely bunch!
Say hello to Johnny
Johnny has joined us as an Engineer (Building Services), bringing with him international experience, a calm approach to problem-solving, and a genuine passion for engineering.
Before joining SVMA, Johnny worked in Hong Kong within a hospital environment, specialising in project and facilities management. In August 2024, he made a major life move – relocating to the UK with his wife and their golden retriever. After spending a few months with another consultancy, Johnny joined SVMA in February 2025. Just one month later, he celebrated a huge personal milestone: the birth of his first baby girl.
A standout moment that shaped Johnny’s outlook was his transition from Hong Kong to the UK. Having worked in fast-paced, highly structured environments, the shift to a consultant engineer role taught him the value of adaptability, communication, and navigating different work cultures. This experience moved him from a mindset focused purely on execution to one centred on collaboration and strategic thinking. As Johnny puts it, it reminded him that “growth often comes from stepping outside your comfort zone.”
At SVMA, Johnny is looking forward to contributing his project and facilities management experience to deliver practical, efficient solutions as a consultant engineer. He’s excited to work on diverse projects, collaborate with talented teams, and learn new approaches that will help him grow both technically and strategically.
Strengths, hobbies and fun facts…
- Strengths
- Adaptability – transitioning countries and roles has taught him how to adjust quickly and effectively.
- Strong problem-solving skills.
- Clear, positive communication that helps maintain strong working relationships.
- Hobbies
- Outside of work, Johnny loves cycling– it’s his favourite way to unwind and explore new routes
- He’s also a big Formula 1 fan, not just for the racing but for the strategy, precision, and teamwork behind every decision.
- Fun Facts
- Originally from Hong Kong, Johnny speaks both Cantonese and Mandarin – so if you ever need help ordering dim sum or negotiating in two languages, he’s your person.
- Johnny earned a junior life-saving certificate at age 15 after years of swimming in secondary school (though he insists he’s a bit rusty now!)
- Johnny is a dedicated BMW enthusiast and can name engine model numbers for BMW cars produced between 2000 and 2020 – a niche skill, but one he’s very proud of.
We’re thrilled to have Johnny at SVMA and look forward to seeing the impact of your experience, adaptability, and fresh perspective (and there are a few petrol heads at SVMA to share your BMW enthusiasm, too!)
Say hello to Phil
Phil has joined us as a Lift Engineering Consultant, bringing a unique background.
Before joining SVMA, Phil began his career underwater – literally. He served as a Submariner in the Royal Navy, working on nuclear submarines that carry the UK’s nuclear deterrent. After five years of service, he left the Navy with no civilian qualifications. Phil threw himself into an electrical engineering apprenticeship, qualified as an electrician, and later applied for an engineering degree. It was during this journey that Phil’s path eventually led him to SVMA.
One life-changing moment that shaped Phil’s outlook was the birth of his daughter, Phia. Becoming a dad shifted his perspective in ways he never expected. As Phil puts it, “I once dreamed of owning a motorbike, but now I couldn’t think of anything worse.”
At SVMA, Phil is looking forward to (and already enjoying) gaining insight into the lift industry. Coming from a non-lift background means everything is new, but that’s exactly what makes it exciting. He’s eager to learn the engineering behind lifts, develop strong working relationships, and become a valued and dependable member of the team.
Strengths, hobbies and fun facts…
- Strengths
- A willingness to take on tasks others avoid – he believes time is better spent doing the job than debating who should do it.
- Confidence.
- Excellent timekeeping
- Hobbies
- Outside of work, Phil is all about family and fresh air. His daughter is two, and they love going on days out together.
- Phil also trains at a boxing club, something he’s been committed to since January.
- At home, he’s kept on his toes by a 5-month-old black Labrador, who enjoys long walks around the Malvern Hills and along the River Avon.
- And when he’s not doing any of that, you’ll probably find Phil fitting in his university work -evenings and weekends included.
- Fun Facts
- Phil is from a town famous for hanging a monkey (anyone know where this is?!)
- He has slept between nuclear missiles!!!
We’re delighted to have you on board, Phil, and look forward to seeing you grow into your role (and you won’t have to sleep between any weapons at SVMA!).
Say hello to Rayan
Rayan has joined us as Project Support for both the Lifts & Escalator and M&E divisions.
Rayan is currently in his second year at university, studying Construction Project Management and has joined SVM to develop his understanding of the industry and gain real-world experience to support what he is learning at university. Rayan said: “It’s been a great way to connect theory with practice and see how the concepts I study actually come to life on real projects”.
Previously, Rayan worked at Costa Coffee, where he had the best training in multitasking and, more importantly, honed his barista skills. Ryan says he can make the best flat white you will ever have!
Rayan has always had an interest in mechanics, engineering and how things work. Even as a child, Rayan dreamed of being a handyman!
His studies have motivated him to learn as much as he can so that he can do his best the first time around. Balancing work and studies also taught him the value of preparation, organisation, and asking questions whenever he feels unsure. It’s made him approach challenges with a mindset of getting things right rather than just getting them done, and we are already seeing the impact of his commitment and attention to detail in his new role.
Rayan is really looking forward to developing his engineering knowledge and putting it into practice, especially the chance to learn from our experienced engineers. It’s been a great way to build on what Rayan learnt at university and to build a solid foundation for his future career. Best of all, as Rayan says, it means he gets to “sound clever in front of his mates, which is always a bonus”!
Strengths, hobbies and fun facts…
- Strengths
- Staying calm (even after AutoCAD crashes!)
- Focusing on the small details to make my work perfect
- Hobbies
- I binge-watch shows, eat far too much and play games (at least when there’s no uni work waiting!).
- Fun Facts
- I can make a coffee worthy of an award, fix almost any tech problem if snacks are involved, and I have a concerning obsession with cars. If it’s got an engine and four wheels, I’ve probably watched a video about it at 2 am.
You’re in good company, Rayan. There are lots of #PetrolHeads at SVM Associates! We’re really delighted to have you and look forward to seeing you grow even more into your role. It’s been great to have you on board.
Say hello to Max
Max has joined us as a Lift Consulting Engineer, bringing with him a wealth of technical experience, a military background, and an impressive track record across multiple engineering disciplines.
Before joining SVMA, Max built a hands-on and varied career in engineering. His journey began in the Army, where he served as an Electronics Technician and completed an advanced apprenticeship in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. His role involved providing technical support for a wide range of military equipment, from encrypted radio systems to Armoured Counter-CBRN vehicles, often while on overseas exercises. Alongside his technical responsibilities, Max was also a Physical Training Instructor for his unit and competed as a boxer.
After leaving the military, Max moved into civilian engineering and joined Sencon as a Product Engineer, commissioning, servicing, and repairing highly specialised testing, sensing, and gauging equipment for the metal drinks packaging industry. The role took him across the world, with Japan being the most memorable destination. He also provided remote global support, further strengthening his problem-solving skills across international settings.
Max later joined Wieland Metals as an Electrical Engineer, maintaining heavy industrial machinery used to produce metal alloy coils for various industries. Here, he developed a strong foundation in controls and automation, gaining deep knowledge of AC/DC motors and variable frequency drives – skills that now support his transition into the lift sector.
A standout moment in Max’s life was his transition from military to civilian engineering. Moving from a highly structured environment to one that required initiative and quick adaptation taught him resilience and confidence. It strengthened his problem-solving abilities and reinforced his commitment to continuous learning, an approach that has stayed with him ever since.
Strengths, hobbies and fun facts…
- Strengths
- Strong technical engineering knowledge
- Confident communicator
- A solid team player who enjoys working collaboratively
- Hobbies
- Outside of work, Max enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching Birmingham City FC, running and strength training, and relaxing at the pub.
- Fun Facts
- Max used to be a competitive boxer.
- Max worked in more countries as a civilian engineer than he did during his military career
- Max once provided technical support inside an Armoured Counter-CBRN vehicle – not exactly your average day at the office.
Max, we’re excited to have you on board and can’t wait to see you bring your expertise, discipline, and enthusiasm into the world of lift engineering.
Say hello to Tom
Tom studied English Literature at Leeds Beckett University before putting his writing skills to good use when he joined Stannah as an Apprentice Lift Engineer after university.
Following his apprenticeship, Tom held a Technical Sales role at Stannah for several years before joining us in October 2025.
Tom brings a fresh, youthful perspective to his role and ambition. The only things we have to watch are Tom’s Crippling Pepsi Max addiction and his inability to stick with the new hobbies (Don’t look at his graveyard of sporting equipment in his understairs cupboard!).
Strengths, hobbies and fun facts…
- Strengths
- Excellent written skills and language overall (particularly important for our reports and client communications).
- Always ready to take on new tasks and try new things whenever he can.
- Hobbies
- When Tom isn’t working, he likes to watch Birmingham City, play golf and spend time with my Fiancée. (Not necessarily in that order, we hasten to add!)
- Fun Facts
- Tom’s dad is a director of SVMA, which means that working here was inevitable eventually (which SVMA is very happy about, as it is definitely our gain and we waited a while!).
- Tom had a myriad of wholly irrational fears as a child. This includes, but is not limited to, piranha fish, rainstorms, fire, and the programme ZZZap! (An early 90’s children’s show on ITV) and The Cryptkeeper (look him up), which my sister was kind enough to convince me lived in our bathroom airing cupboard.
- When Tom was young, I used to memorise adverts I had seen on TV and recite them back to anybody who would listen in full. (My primary school headteacher was not immune to this, who had to suffer through a full rendition of an early 2000’s Slendertone advert) This will come in handy for lift facts, too, Tom!!
With his connection to SVMA, Tom had relationships with most of the team before he joined, and he is excited to now be a fully-fledged team member and work alongside them.
Tom is also looking forward to taking on some different and challenging work, and we are excited to see what he achieves and the contribution he makes. It’s great to have you, Tom (finally!).
They’re an interesting group, aren’t they? It’s great to have them, and we wish them all the very best with us here at SVMA. They are excited to work on your project and meet you all soon, too.
