Richard Coombes
BSc (Hons) MIET MIHEEM
Trainee Authorising Engineer (HV/LV)
Richard is an electrical engineer with over 20 years’ experience across healthcare, defence, nuclear and commercial sectors. Apprentice-trained installation electrician with a degree in the Management of Healthcare Engineering Technologies & Facilities, he is also a member of the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) and the Institute of Healthcare Engineering and Estate Management (IHEEM). He has extensive expertise in the design, installation, operation and maintenance of electrical infrastructure and hospital decontamination systems, complemented by over 10 years’ experience as an Authorised Person within the NHS. His specialist areas include low voltage (LV) and high voltage (HV) systems, standby generation, inspection and testing, compliance auditing, decontamination engineering and the implementation of Safe Systems of Work in safety-critical environments.
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Richard's Experience:
Summary of Previous Qualifications
- BSc (Hons) Management of Healthcare Engineering Technologies & Facilities
- FdSc Hospital Engineering (Building Services)
- NVQ Level 3 Electrotechnical Services – Electrical Installation
- NVQ Level 3 Inspection, Testing and Certification of Electrical
Installations (2391) - BS 7671 18th Edition Electrical Wiring Regulations
- Electrical Engineering Apprenticeship
Work Experience
November 2025- Present
PPL Engineering Services Ltd - Trainee Authorising Engineer (HV/LV)
- Providing independent technical guidance on HV and LV electrical safety across healthcare, Ministry of Defence and private-sector sites.
- Audit, apply and oversee compliance with Safety Rules and Safe Systems of Work.
- Assess, interview and recommend Authorised Persons (APs) for appointment, supporting their ongoing competency.
- Conduct system audits, review documentation and advise on improvements to operational and technical safety standards.
- Contribute to the development and continual improvement of electrical safety arrangements for client organisations.
October 2024 – October 2025
Babcock International - Principal Power Systems Engineer
- Led electrical engineering activities for HV (6.6 kV, 11 kV, 33 kV), LV,
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and standby generation
projects within the Power Distribution and Standby Generation (PDSG)
Technical Authority. - Provided specialist technical support across nuclear and non-nuclear sectors
at Devonport Royal Dockyard. - Managed a multidisciplinary engineering team, ensuring safe, compliant and on-programme delivery of complex electrical infrastructure projects.
- Provided operational support to maintenance and installation teams, ensuring adherence to statutory regulations, site safety requirements and technical specifications.
October 2020 – October 2024
Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust - Senior Electrical Engineer
- Developed and maintained electrical, fire safety and decontamination engineering strategies for a complex acute and community healthcare estate.
- Coordinating Authorised Person (AP) for HV and LV systems, overseeing operational control and maintenance of critical electrical infrastructure
including Un-Interruptible Power Supplies (UPS), Isolated Power Supplies
(IPS) and standby generation systems. Chairing Trust Electrical Safety Group meetings. - Led the implementation and governance of Safe Systems of Work (SSoW) across live clinical environments.
- AP for Decontamination, providing technical leadership for sterilisation plant,
washer-disinfectors and Automated Endoscope Reprocessing (AER)
equipment, overseeing compliance documentation and periodic testing. - Ensured business continuity through robust technical specifications, risk
assessments and project planning.
July 2018 – October 2020
Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust - Electrical Services Manager
- Managed the operational delivery of Electrical, Fire Safety and Decontamination engineering services across the Trust.
- Led asset-replacement and life-cycle upgrade programmes for HV/LV switchboards, transformers, standby generators, UPS, IPS, LED lighting and nurse call systems.
- Developed technical recommendations to enhance resilience, efficiency and compliance within the estate.
- Authorised Person (HV, LV, Decontamination), providing technical oversight
and leadership to in-house engineering teams and contractors.
April 2018 – July 2018
Norbord Europe Ltd – Electrical Maintenance Manager
- Managed electrical trades and contractors to ensure safe and reliable operation of 24/7 production facilities.
- Oversaw staff rotas, shift management, recruitment and competency.
- Ensured electrical maintenance activities supported minimal downtime and maximum plant availability.
April 2011 – March 2018
Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust – Electrical Lead Technician
- Supervised electrical trades and provided mentoring, technical support and daily coordination of Estates maintenance activities.
- Ensured planned and reactive maintenance tasks were completed safely,
efficiently and in accordance with HTMs and Trust procedures. - Competent Person for Decontamination carrying out Periodic Testing and
Performance Qualification Testing on a wide range of Trust equipment.
September 2008 – April 2011
South Devon Healthcare - Maintenance Electrician
- Delivered planned and reactive maintenance across acute and community hospital sites.
- Carried out fire alarm testing, Electrical Installation Condition Reports
(EICRs), emergency generator testing, HV network PPMs, Medical Gas PPM,
BMS (Trend) support, IPS/UPS testing and Portable Appliance Testing (PAT). - Ensured safe and compliant operation of critical hospital electrical systems.
August 2004 – September 2008
Access Electrical - Apprentice Electrician/Approved Electrician
- Completed a three-year apprenticeship in domestic and commercial electrical installation.
- Carried out installation, inspection, testing and maintenance works across a
range of domestic and commercial sites. - Achieved Approved Electrician status and gained broad experience in fault-
finding, upgrades and certification.