I began my career by obtaining a City & Guilds qualification in Mechanical Engineering, which led to hands-on roles in Construction and Civil Engineering. Driven by a strong desire to learn, I returned to university as a mature student, earning a BSc (Hons) in Computing and Networking. This academic achievement facilitated a career transition into Airport Special & Security Systems projects, specifically focusing on baggage reconciliation and check-in systems, and offered the opportunity to travel across the EMEA region.
This experience exposed me to the intricacies of project delivery and contract management. Over the next two decades, I made it a priority to bridge any knowledge gaps and gain a deeper understanding of client and end-user needs. I pursued further qualifications and certifications, including Prince2, MSP, ITIL, AvSec, ASIS PSP, and others, to stay current with industry best practices.
My commitment to continuous learning led to further academic studies, including an MSc and an LLM, along with continued professional development through certifications such as MRICS, ICE CLCM, and NEC3/4 ECC PM. These experiences have allowed me to take on greater managerial, contractual, and commercial responsibilities in project delivery.
After more than 20 years in Project and Contract Management, I’ve developed the insight to recognize when I lack specific expertise and the confidence to admit it. I value working alongside knowledgeable professionals and am eager to collaborate, learn, and share knowledge to deliver successful outcomes.
“The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know.” ― Albert Einstein
I’ve set up PMOs with inexperienced teams and worked in large teams on projects with established legacy processes and systems. My experience spans technical projects like implementing a DBA system for pension compliance at BBM, rolling out GPS technology for asset data capture with National Grid and the Gas Alliance, and managing back-office systems and upskilling. I’ve also delivered engineering projects in remote locations, such as a portfolio of civil engineering projects in Saudi Arabia to secure critical assets (Steam Power Plants) to government standards, as well as projects in highly regulated environments like petrochemical sites and airports.
Early in my career, I became frustrated with the lack of fit-for-purpose contracts in technical projects, which sparked my interest in contract law and standard engineering contract forms, especially in regions like the Middle East. As an inexperienced Project Manager, I was seconded to a Resident Engineer role, which exposed me to heavily amended contract forms, their terms, and processes. Since then, I have gained extensive formal accreditation and experience in contract management, both as part of my Project Manager role and as the lead on high-value contracts. I have worked closely with Project Directors and supported large, multidisciplinary teams, including PMs, Construction Managers, Designers, Architects, QA/QC, and HSE. Notable projects include Airport Taxiway and Aircraft Stand development, Airport Fuel Farm expansion, 5* accommodation for airline management, civils/technical projects for Steam Power Plant protection, and Data Centres.
Working alongside the client’s PQS in the Middle East many years ago was a real eye-opener, exposing me to the complexities of BOQs, AfP, cashflow projections, payment for materials (onsite and off), advance payments, retention, bonds, collateral warranties, and more. My return to full-time education in 2006, with an MSc in Commercial Project Management, strengthened my understanding of these commercial aspects. Now, 20 years later, I work closely with the QS team to assess and control the quantitative aspects of projects. This includes regular evaluations at pre- and post-contract milestones, as well as periodic forecasts of project costs and payments.
With over 20 years of Project Management experience and formal accreditation, I have delivered projects across multiple sectors, including Utilities, Aviation, Petrochemicals, Power Generation, Transport, and the protection of critical assets (e.g., Data Warehouses, Power Transmission, Pipelines). I have set up and overseen PMOs, including requirements analysis, drafting bespoke project control tools, working documents/templates, processes & procedures, and SLAs & KPIs. Known for my reputation as a completer-finisher, I specialize in turning around projects and delivering on commitments through a strong understanding of PM, contracts, contract law, change management, and commercial principles. My approach is underpinned by diplomacy, integrity, and tenacity.
LLM in Construction Law & Arbitration and ICE Certificate in Law & Contract Management (CLCM). Accredited in various contract forms, including FIDIC, NEC3, NEC4, and bespoke contracts. Extensive knowledge of General Conditions of Contract (GCC) for public works in Qatar. Experienced in contractor claims management, with advanced training in FIDIC-based Engineering Claims Management.
Proven experience as Contract Manager across a diverse range of projects, including high-value residential and aviation infrastructure.
With over 20 years of experience working alongside clients’ PQS and in-house QS teams, I have been deeply involved in both pre- and post-contract evaluations, ensuring thorough cost management and alignment with project objectives. My expertise spans contract assessments, budgeting, cash flow projections, and the analysis of cost variations throughout the project lifecycle. I hold an MSc in Commercial Project Management from the University of Manchester, which has further strengthened my technical and commercial understanding of complex projects. As a Member of RICS, I adhere to the highest professional standards and continuously update my skills to reflect the latest industry practices.
