Our People
At Surface, our strength lies in our people. Our team of highly trained coating inspectors are experts in delivering coating and corrosion prevention advice as well as comprehensive inspection services—whether onshore or offshore.
With a dedicated team of 12 in-house Field Inspectors and 4 trusted sub-contractors, we are uniquely positioned to support the full spectrum of corrosion control and protective coating inspection requirements across multiple industries.
All our inspectors are certified to the highest industry standards, holding qualifications such as AMPP, ICorr, or FROSIO Level 3. Surface proudly employs some of the most experienced inspectors in the UK.
Sean Truesdale
Founder and CEO
Our founder and CEO initially started the company in 2010 and has amassed over 35 years’ experience in the coatings industry undertaking a multitude of senior roles before embarking on creating Surface Corrosion Consultants.
Sean is a highly experienced, well-known and respected AMPP Level 3 coating inspection professional. He has been instrumental in establishing the company as a market leader in Coating Inspection and Corrosion Prevention consultancy Globally.
With a passion for advancing the digitisation of coating and NDT inspection management he truly believes we are leading the way with our powerful asset management application – SAM™.
Sean maintains a ‘hands-on’ approach in all the day-to-day activities of the company and brings a wealth of technical and practical knowledge to the ever-growing team. More recently his attention has been focused on building a team around him to sustain Surface’s vision for the future.
Sean works directly with our clients throughout the Globe. Implementing strategies and specifications is at the core of his role, allowing projects to be successfully delivered across a wide range of industries, with a keen interest in Oil & Gas, Nuclear, Renewable and Industrial sectors.
Email: sean@consultsurface.com
Jenny Truesdale
Finance Director
Jenny founded the business alongside Sean as an equity partner in 2010 and holds the role of Finance Director having previously held various management roles in the Aerospace, Private Healthcare and Industrial Services sectors.
Jenny in recent years has migrated to a more supervisory role, responsible for the finance team overseeing the overall finances of new business and existing business.
Jenny is a commercially driven finance professional, providing clear strategic direction and strong financial project management skills.
Email: jenny@consultsurface.com
Steve Brierley
Operations Director
With over 35 years in the coating industry, Steve has built his career on solving problems and simplifying complexity. An AMPP Senior Corrosion Technologist and CIP Level 3 since 2010, he has successfully managed large-scale projects and is known for delivering practical, high-quality results.
Today, Steve is fully dedicated to driving the growth of SAM™. What began as an inspection tool has evolved into a complete project management solution that bridges the gap between big data and day-to-day operations. SAM™ gives clients more than information — it delivers control. From managing work scopes to tracking progress, it helps teams save time, reduce costs, and make confident decisions with ease.
At the core of Steve’s work is a passion for keeping things simple and cost effective. By collaborating with developers and drawing on decades of hands-on experience, he has shaped SAM™ into a platform that cuts through complexity and makes project management seamless. His mission is clear: to give clients clarity, efficiency, and confidence through one powerful, easy-to-use solution.
Email: steve@consultsurface.com
Billy Mackay
Technical Business Development Consultant
Surface were delighted to welcome Billy to the company in May 2023 to focus on the strategic development of SAM, specifically targeting NDT and CUI and supporting the future deployment with the major operators in the North Sea Basin.
Having been involved over many years with some of the largest operators and service companies in the North Sea, namely Phillips Petroleum UK Ltd, Lloyds Register and latterly at TotalEnergies, Billy is hugely experienced and regarded for his knowledge and experience in Inspection, Asset Integrity and Fabric Maintenance.
We at Surface are looking forward to the massive benefits Billy brings and the undoubted successful progression with our ground-breaking technology SAM™.
Robert Dalzell
Projects Director
Tenure: 10+ Years with Surface
Expertise: Project Management • Corrosion Control • Protective & Fire Protective Coatings • Offshore Operations • Team Leadership
Robert is an ICorr Level 3 Corrosion and Protective Coating Specialist and the Projects Director at Surface. Over the past decade, he has successfully managed some of the company's most pivotal and technically demanding projects, ensuring excellence in delivery, quality, and client satisfaction.
With a career spanning more than 35 years, Robert began his professional journey at the iconic Harland and Wolff, where he developed a foundation in engineering and operations. He later transitioned into the offshore industry, gaining invaluable experience in man management, operational planning, and large-scale project execution.
Robert possesses extensive expertise in Protective and Fire Protective Coatings, holding both ICorr Level 3 and ICorr Level 2 Fire Proofing qualifications for over two decades. His deep technical knowledge, combined with his leadership and strategic vision, has been instrumental in shaping Surface’s reputation for precision and reliability across the Global Oil and Gas industry.
Email: robert@consultsurface.com
Jack Truesdale
Accounts Assistant
After working in a part-time capacity for the company for several years, Jack joined as our full-time Accounts Assistant in June 2024. Jack graduated from The University of Glasgow with a Bsc Degree in Geology and has previously worked in hospitality and admin.
In his new role Jack’s responsibilities include managing the company’s accounts, invoices, wages, expenses, updating our accountancy software daily, and assisting our directors with any other tasks. Jack also assists with our Sales and Marketing which is a side of the business he has great interest in and hopes to become more involved in over time.
Michael O’Neill
ICorr Level 3 Corrosion & Protective Coating Senior Inspector
Tenure: 10 Years with Surface
Expertise: Protective Coatings • Corrosion Control • Passive Fire Protection • Project Management
Michael is an ICorr Level 3 Senior Inspector with over 35 years of experience in Protective Coatings and Passive Fire Protection. As a key member of the Surface Inspection Team for more than a decade, he brings exceptional expertise, meticulous attention to detail, and a deep understanding of coating systems and corrosion prevention.
His practical knowledge, combined with outstanding planning and communication skills, ensures that every project he supports meets the highest technical and safety standards. Michael's leadership extends beyond inspection—he frequently steps into Project Management roles, guiding teams and clients through complex scopes of work with clarity and professionalism.