Martin Smith 7 Carrbank Avenue, Ramsbottom

Bury, Lancashire, BL0 9DW Tel 01706 822947 Mobile 07725 657695

email: mrasmith@dsl.pipex.com

6th April 2006To whom it may concern

Lee Pearson I am currently employed as Integrated Systems Manager for J Murphy & Sons North West Region at Golborne, Warrington UK. However from October 1992 to May 2005 I was employed by A E Yates Ltd of Bolton, Lancashire UK in a variety of roles including Safety & Quality Manager, IT Manager and Microtunnelling Projects Manager. In 2002 I was appointed to be one of 2 active Directors of their Tunnelling Division concentrating on Estimating, Marketing and Project Management I worked closely with Lee Pearson from the time he joined the Company in early 1994 through to my leaving in 2005. He started on a contract in Edmonton, North London using a prototype Dosco microtunnelling system, and built up a wealth of experience in a variety of roles working with our Iseki Unclemoles, Herrenknecht AVN systems and our Soltau sluury system (the only one in the UK) Lee was clearly competent as banksman / topman, and was equally happy to perform pit bottom duties. He tended to work with the same gang, and they consistently out-performed our other gangs in terms of output, quality of work, and general can-do attitude. They were hard working, took pride in their work, and got the job done. Clients tended to be impressed Lee was promoted to Foreman in June 2000 and has continued that role for A E Yates to the present day. During my tenure as Project Manager / Director, as well as leading gangs on contracts in the UK he carried out works in Ireland on multiple contracts, in Limerick and particularly in Cork, as well as a challenging job in Northern Ireland and one in Dublin. He showed an impressive ability to organize an operation far from home, where he was usually required to source and mobilise local resources, and liaise closely with the Main Contractor, and sometimes the overall Client. Lee quickly learned and understood the importance of planning and setting up a job to get it right first time, and providing the Main Contractor / Client with necessary paperwork to demonstrate a professional approach to business In my role as IT Manager I also provided Lee with equipment and some training where required, but I was generally impressed with his own self-taught abilities in creating and maintaining records and report. Furthermore his appreciation of the importance of taking photographs for record purposes proved invaluable during many claim situations I always found Lee Pearson to be a capable, resourceful and committed employee who understood the importance of representing his Company during his activities. I would unhesitatingly recommend him to any tunnelling contractor who is considering Lee for employment

Martin R A Smith Current work contact 01942 725326