Patrick Couwenberg

Background

About Patrick Couwenberg

Since 2004, I have been working as a senior consultant with industrial and public clients in green and brown field developments. These clients often operate in industries directed to the production of chemicals, storage and logistics, food, pharma, waste processing and general manufacturing. Often, the activities of these clients result in complex (environmental) permitting situations, that also have connections with the SEVESO, IPPC and EIA. My role is multi-facetted, not only on content and process, but also management of the project, supporting team members, result responsible and act as first contact to the client. I supervise the preparation of permit applications, carry out compliance audits and give environmental due diligence advice for internal teams and for the client directly. My native level (C2) of the English language (verbal and written) helps me to communicate with the representatives of the client on a professional level. This also allows me to explain the Dutch approach to permitting and the legislation that is applicable to the project in a manner that is translatable for the client’s business case. The experience that I have gained by working on industrial projects, have given me a broad basis and fundamental understanding of the multitude of topics applicable to a project and how these interact with each other. I am able to create structure between different project aspects in such manner that engineers and designers can process the legal limitations and opportunities into their services. In my role I make analyses of the first available information and draft a permitting approach, strategy, needed budget and runtime schedule. Advisory processes, permit applications and zoning procedures are often complex, sometimes require sensitivity and diplomacy, but also focus when it comes to the essence. I have proven to encompass all this in my project approach to an excellent outcome for our clients. Through my project experience I have gained a thorough sense of needed requirements that I can translate to a project. For my projects, I am responsible regarding end quality, content, finance, process management, communication and administration. I maintain an active network of other experts (specialists within consultancy firms, research institutes, governments, and semi-governments) and I regularly follow courses, workshops, and seminars to update and increase my knowledge. This also includes proactively monitoring, anticipate and ultimately use new developments (techniques, laws and regulations) in benefit of my projects and clients.