The Specialist in Land Condition (SiLC) Register enters a new chapter in 2026 with a refreshed leadership team bringing deep expertise, fresh perspectives and a shared commitment to raising standards across the land condition sector. With Dr Tom Henman stepping into the role of Chair of the SiLC Board, Lucy Bethell becoming Chair of the Professional and Technical Panel (PTP), and Freddie Kennedy joining the PTP as the Recently Qualified SiLC representative, SiLC strengthens its position as a leading voice for competence, quality and professional development.

Together, they represent the breadth and depth of the SiLC community from senior leaders shaping national guidance, technical directors driving innovation, to emerging professionals championing the next generation.

Dr Tom Henman: Chair of the SiLC Board

With more than 30 years of experience across consultancy, industry and academia, Dr Tom Henman brings a strategic, future‑focused perspective and considerable energy to his new role as Chair of the SiLC Board.

A Director at RSK Geosciences, Tom provides senior technical oversight and leads on sustainability and innovation within one of the UK’s foremost geosciences consultancies. His expertise spans land contamination risk assessment, remediation, soil and groundwater impacts, and ground and mine gas risk. He is a Chartered Chemist and Scientist, Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, SiLC, and SQP under the National Quality Mark Scheme.

Tom has long been at the forefront of raising technical standards across the sector, contributing to organisations such as SiLC, AGS, EIC and CL:AIRE. His leadership within SiLC has been pivotal: after serving as Deputy Chair and then Chair of the PTP from 2020 to 2024, he became Deputy Chair of the SiLC Board in 2024. He now takes on the Board Chair role for a two‑year term, supported by Louise Beale as Deputy Board Chair.

His interests extend beyond risk mitigation to the beneficial reuse of brownfield land, biodiversity enhancement and climate risk. He has authored numerous papers, research reports and technical guidance, and is a lead author of the first UK guidance dedicated to assessing and managing climate and extreme weather impacts on geo‑based risks, due for publication by CIRIA in April 2026.

Reflecting on his appointment, Tom said:

‘I am really pleased to take on the role of Chair of the SiLC Board and for the opportunity to contribute to leading the organisation and delivering SiLC’s mission going forward. This includes updating assessment processes for SiLC candidates, supporting higher standards in site assessment and better regulation, and integrating climate risk and sustainability issues within the land condition sector.’

Lucy Bethell: Chair of the SiLC Professional and Technical Panel

With over twenty years’ experience in land contamination and environmental risk management, Lucy Bethell brings a holistic, people‑centred approach to her new role as Chair of the PTP.

A Technical Director at Mott MacDonald, Lucy has worked across the UK and internationally on complex land condition projects, from intricate groundwater challenges on constrained London sites to landfill investigations in Morocco. Her passion lies in environmental protection, cross‑disciplinary collaboration and delivering positive societal outcomes.

Lucy is a strong advocate for diversity and technical excellence, supporting women and underrepresented groups across the environmental sector. She credits her own development to the guidance of senior role models and now plays an active role in nurturing the next generation.

Reflecting on her transition into the Chair role, Lucy shared:

“It has been fantastic working with Louise Beale over the last two years and seeing the demonstrable progress that SiLC has made in a very short time under her leadership… I am delighted to now take on the role of Chairperson.”

Looking ahead, she emphasises continuity and community:

“In my current role, I hope to build on the excellent work of Louise and the previous Chairs, Tom and Ian, and focus on supporting and celebrating our current and future SiLC Community. I look forward to working with, and learning from, our wonderful SiLC Volunteers… all of whom give their time and expertise to support SiLC and the wider industry.”

Freddie Kennedy: Recently Qualified SiLC Representative on the PTP

Representing the next generation of land condition professionals, Freddie Kennedy joins the PTP as the Recently Qualified SiLC representative, bringing energy, ambition and a strong commitment to sustainability.

An Associate Director at AtkinsRealis, Freddie has worked across blue‑chip multinationals and specialist engineering firms, assessing a wide range of sites and designing remediation strategies for complex land uses including former gasworks, landfills and PFAS‑impacted airfields.

He is particularly passionate about embedding sustainability in a value‑engineered, practical way, ensuring environmental responsibility enhances, rather than complicates, project delivery.

Freddie said:

“I am really pleased to share that I have recently stepped into the role of Recently Qualified SiLC on the SiLC Professional Technical Panel.”

His priorities are clear:

“I want to help to strengthen the number of aspiring SiLCs and support recently qualified SiLCs in building a strong and visible profile for themselves in the environmental sector.”

And his enthusiasm for SiLC is unmistakable:

“What I love most about SiLC is the commitment to rigour and technical excellence… My career has certainly benefited from becoming a qualified SiLC and I hope that more and more can feel the same.”

A Strengthened Leadership Team for a Sector in Transition

The appointments of Tom, Lucy and Freddie come at a pivotal moment for the land condition sector. The drive for economic growth through increased house building and infrastructure development needs to be accompanied by high quality land assessment and remediation to support safe, sustainable and climate resilient development. SiLCs refreshed leadership team reflects the organisation’s commitment to:

• Raising professional standards
• Supporting competence and career progression
• Embedding sustainability and climate resilience in land condition assessments
• Strengthening and diversifying the SiLC community
• Ensuring the sector is equipped for the challenges ahead

With experience spanning senior leadership, technical excellence and early‑career representation, this team is well‑positioned to guide SiLC into its next phase.