Paul Valentine

Director

Paul became an Independent Stakeholder and Customer Engagement specialist in January 2017 following a successful 25 year Police career in which he excelled in partnership working, stakeholder management and problem solving, skills that are transferable to the construction industry.
Paul has since led Stakeholder and Customer Engagement on behalf of a number of companies working on behalf of Highways England or Local Authorities, delivering Social Value and Corporate and Social Value projects.
Paul received the Highways England National Customer Service Champion Award 2020.
Paul was inspired to found Sonar Engagement with the aim of being the leading UK association that specialises in providing Public Liaison Officers for the construction and Highways sector.

Dave Horner

Public Liaison Officer

Dave brings knowledge and skills from a successful 30 year police career in which he excelled in Neighbourhood policing and problem solving.

Dave has an excellent knowledge of the Highways construction industry and enjoys being a team leader and working in the fast paced environment

Neil Hallem

Public Liaison Officer

Neil began his career as a Local Authority lawyer, before changing direction and joining Nottinghamshire Police.  During an interesting 23 year Police career, Neil excelled in Partnership Working and Community Engagement. The latter part of his career saw specialism in Professional Standards and Counter Terrorism. During his Police career, Neil built a parallel career in writing and photojournalism. Now, alongside Sonar Engagement, Neil is using his unique mix of skills to provide Customer Engagement for important highways projects.

Kay Stevens

Public Liaison Officer

Kay Stevens is NMCN Limited Public Liaison Officer for Bridlington Seafront Regeneration.

Kay has a passion for making a difference, resolving issues and adding value through stakeholder management and by community engagement.

Kay has a training and development background and experience of working for the Police, Health and Charity sectors.

Syed Shah

MBA, MCIPR, Stakeholder and Community Engagement Equality, Diversity & Inclusiveness (EDI) lead.

Syed utilises numerous working and ‘lived experiences’ as the former MET police Faith & Communities Police Officer for a large borough in London. He brings years of experience of working in major projects on behalf of Highways England as well as working on organisational EDI Steering Groups.

Syed’s work in EDI in ‘harder to reach communities’ has been recognised by two National Construction EDI Awards in 2019.

Kenny Hughes

Public Liaison Officer

Kenny is currently working as the Social Valve and Stakeholder adviser for John Sisk & Sons. They have been appointed to deliver on behalf of National Highways the concrete roads replacement programme for the A12 and A14, which is a contract worth more than £58 million pounds. He is a former Senior Investigating Officer in the Metropolitan Police responsible for investigating serious and complex crimes. Kenny uses his skills, knowledge and experience gathered during his 30 years’ service to deliver transformation, solutions, and successful outcomes on behalf of his business clients and the community.