Tim LARDNER

Background

Tim Lardner's involvement with mine action began in 1991 when he was the Training Officer of the Royal Engineer Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, and for a period of time was also responsible for the Battlefield Area Clearance within the United Kingdom. After leaving the military in 1994, he became closely involved with humanitarian mine action and began working with the UN Accelerated Demining Programme in Mozambique during the early and turbulent years of the programme.

He was then recruited by Handicap International (France) to set up their Mine Clearance Programme in Mozambique. After successfully implementing the programme, he moved on (after a short period in the commercial demining sector in Taiwan) to work as a Senior Technical Advisor to the Cambodian Mine Action Centre, where he was responsible for the implementation of a formal process for accident investigations and the management development of the local staff in addition to detailed reporting for the project donor (the European Commission). He was also involved in the development of procedures for mechanical and dog clearance techniques in order to attempt to maximise efficiency of demining.

Tim Lardner left Cambodia in June 1999, and joined Cranfield University where he was closely involved in the development of management training, management tools for mine action programmes and supporting the Global Landmine Impact Survey process. He studied part time and has graduated with a Masters of Science degree from Cranfield.

Tim joined the centre in November 2003. He managed the study of Manual Mine Clearance and now is managing the study into technical survey/risk reduction.