General Manager Operations / Commercial Manager / Quantity Surveyor.
A highly experienced international General Operations Manager / Commercial Manager / QS experienced with multi faceted businesses: success with delivering strategic, complex, multi million pound projects within the construction industry: delivering operational excellence with a high level of integrity, business judgment, work ethics and maturity. Action orientated with strong execution skills, energized by “impossible” challenges. Accomplished team builder and negotiator who never fails to win a consensus, effective leader of multicultural teams in diverse locals worldwide.
Results orientated and quality focused, with excellent relationship management skills.
Experienced in commercial negotiations, stakeholder management, client & customer relations, analytical management, budget management, business change management, business planning, computer security, process re-engineering, programme management, relationship building with employees, supplier management, contract negotiation and management, purchasing management, P&L, strategic business management.
Proven trouble shooter who is adept at delivering exceptional results in extremely difficult circumstances. Resilient and tenacious attitude that thrives in challenging environments. Stand-alone operator who needs very little in the way of on-the-ground support to make a quick and positive impact.
EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS______________________________________________________________
• Liaised directly with the Director General of Shipping, Mumbai, India and obtained authorization to operate foreign flagged vessels in national waters contrary to Indian protection policy.
• Liaised and negotiated with the Internal Revenue Service, Ministry of Finance & the Attorney General, Accra, Ghana and secured a tax free project status. Estimated saving $4,000,000.
• Negotiated with the VAT section of the Internal Revenue Service, Accra, Ghana and secured a VAT free status at source. Estimated saving $1,000,000
• Liaised directly with the Government of Ghana culminating in presentation of a paper before Parliament requesting an amendment to funding arrangements. Averted budget deficit: Company was in jeopardy of financial penalties initiated by American funding Agency.
• Initiated authorization to crew foreign flagged vessel in Egyptian waters contrary to protection legislation. Allowed company to operate effectively.
• Establishing a fully functional HR operation for Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company in Bahrain – due to massive rapid expansion. Greatly improved budget control and man management.
• Improved client relationships with regard to Hanbo / Client Indonesia and presented claims for project resolution.
Resolved financial crisis on a $96m concrete project in Jakarta rescuing key Client relationships. Halted financial catastrophe with claims in excess of US$20,000,000 and variations in excess of US$5,000,000.
• Bangalore, India, Underground Metro: On going negotiations with regard to “extra over” recovery of “Taxes & Duties” – a contractual right that the Client refuses to accept. Recovered to date, 01-Jun-13. Rs 201,858,637/- (Approx U$D 3,500,000).
Education & Personal data ______________________________________________________
• Higher National Diploma, 1971, Guildford College of Technology
• Corporate Member of the Institute of Building, (MCIOB), Membership Nr.1393898.
• Corporate Member of the RICS, (MRICS) Membership Nr. 0793608
• Corporate member of the Chartered Institute of Civil Engineering Surveyors (MCInstCES), Membership Nr 2102113
• Internal Quality Management System (QMS) Auditor, 2006.
• Full Clean International Driving License.
Professional Experience ________________________________________________________
Continental Engineering Corporation: February 2010 to Present.
India: (Continental Engineering Corporation [CEC] – SOMA Enterprises Ltd (SOMA) – CEC International Corporation (India) Pvt. Ltd. (CICI) Joint Venture. (CEC-SOAM-CICI JV)
• Commercial Manager with CEC-SOMA-CICI Joint Venture, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd, Bangalore, Karnataka, India (BMRCL), UG-2 package, East-West Corridor. Consisting of 4.5 Km of twin tunnels and 4 underground stations. Contract sum INR 11,496.20 Cr. ($255,472,000).
Redundant: July 2009 to February 2010.
• Made redundant while employed by Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company in Bahrain due to the world wide economic down-turn of 2008 / 2009.
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company: October 1999 to July 2009.
Bahrain:
• Responsible for establishing a functional HR department from scratch due to massive and rapid corporate expansion.
• Appointed to establish standardized Employment Agreements and employment policies.
• Developed detailed employment Master List later utilized as a corporate management tool.
• Responsible for the recruitment of both national and international personnel at all levels.
• Ensured employment policies complied with government directives in relation to work permits.
• Responsible for maintaining and improving companies ISO9001 QMS and ISO14000 EMS systems.
• Managed all employment issues with regard to contractual terms and working environment.
• In addition to the above I monitored, controlled and productively drove all the commercial issues, legal, contractual and “impossible” challenges, involved with the below multimillion US dollar projects.
Key Commercial Project Involvement included – Land reclamation
• Diyaar project for the Government of Bahrain valued at over $415,700,000,
• Land reclamation Darari project for Kuwaiti Finance House valued at over $22,500,000,
• Land reclamation Durrat Al Bahrain for Kuwaiti Finance House valued at $145,3000,000,
• Bahrain Investment Wharf for Government of Bahrain valued at over $27,9000,000,
• Project North Star for N.S. Holdings valued at over $32,000,000,
Egypt: Company Representative – Egypt – El Behera Natural Gas Liquefaction Project.
• Responsible for the initial team securing suppliers & subcontractors and arranging banking facilities.
• Liaised with Bechtel project managers on the El Behara $multi-billion national liquefaction programme.
• Coordinated dredging contract valued at $3.9 million with Archiroden Construction Co.
• Obtained permission to operate foreign flagged vessels in Egyptian waters along with foreign crew. (Egyptian marine personnel enjoy protected employment).
India: Senior Site Quantity Surveyor – India – Hazira LNG Terminal Project.
• Responsible for site QS services for the $ multi billion Hazira LNG Terminal project in district Nagar, Surat, Gujarat.
• Appointed to identify and evaluate project variations in preparation for project final account.
• Liaised with client, Royal Dutch Shell Group and main contractor Dredging International on the $62.5m project interfacing with Larson & Toubro Construction and Alar Management Contractors.
Ghana: Company Representative – Ghana – Keta Sea Defence Project – Client Government of Ghana.
• Requested a change to a Letter of Credit which involved writing a paper to be put before the Cabinet.
• Dealt directly with the Internal Revenue Service to ensure Project was tax free. Final decision in Great Lakes favour involved the Attorney Generals legal opinion.
• Dealt directly with the Ministry of Finance.
• Dealt directly with Ministry of Agriculture with regard to new projects.
• Imported and exported plant, equipment and goods duty free which involved close co-operation with Customs, Ministry of Trade & Ministry of Housing & Works.
• Liaised closely with the Ministry of Interior with regard to work permits and the like.
• Secured VAT free purchases.
Doha: Company Representative– Doha.
• Responsible for advising Company with regard to proposed contract with Christiana Neilson on key contract issues with respect to proposed bid documents.
• Reviewed bid and tender documentation, analyzing and advising on problematic areas
India: Company Representative – Dabhol Power Project.
• Responsible for liaising with Director General of Shipping regarding foreign flagged shipping.
• Coordinated the application and granting with authorities to allow foreign shipping in Indian waters.
• Managed client relationship with Enron on the $multi-billion Dabhol Power Station project.
• Coordinated tendering process for key projects in Goa & Cochin and marketing in Sri Lanka.
• Negotiated contracts with suppliers and 3rd party contractors and preparing subcontract agreements.
Kvaerner Construction Int. Ltd. June 1998 to August 1999
India: Commercial Manager: $80m design & build chemical handling jetty in Gujarat, India. Controlling all commercial matters including interaction with Client, Client’s representatives & Government bodies. Claims presentation & tax issues.
You One (Hanbo) – Adhi Karya JV. November 1996 to April 1998
Indonesia: Transferred from Pakistan to Indonesia to resolve financial crisis on $96m concrete frame Project. Investigation & evaluation of claims & variations. Compilation & presentation of final account, final account negotiations & general contract administration.
You One Engineering & Construction Co Ltd.(Hanbo) August 1995 to November 1996
Pakistan: Contracts/Commercial Manager/Deputy Project Manager: Commercial matters associated with a $30m road refurbishment, 73 kilometer long, including four major bridges and over 200 box culverts. Securing subcontractors, suppliers etc. Sub-contract documentation.
Self employed. May 1994 to August 1995
Pakistan: Consultant for Pasminco Exploration. Zinc mine development in interior Sind, Pakistan
Mowlem International Ltd. November 1988 to April 1994
Pakistan: Chief Quantity Surveyor; £30m 1000metre concrete jetty on 1000 Nr. pre-cast concrete steel encased piles. Initially sole representative in Karachi. Secured suppliers, subcontractors, imported & exported construction plant, equipment and material. Responsible for full QS function with a team of 5. Compilation & presentation of final account, final account negotiations & general contract administration. Liaised with Government bodies, Client & Asian Development Bank. Promoted to Project Manager in final year of construction.
Thomson Cole Partnership. April 1986 to November 1988
Saudi Arabia: Senior Surveyor: Electrical & Mechanical surveyor on $185m Ministry building in Riyadh. Measuring & evaluation E & M works, monthly valuations, forecast profit & loss.
Wates Construction. 1977 to February 1986
United Kingdom: Quantity Surveyor/ Senior Surveyor/Managing Surveyor/ Chief Surveyor: QS on refurbishment contracts in and around London & Home Counties.
R Holford & Co Ltd. 1973 to 1977
United Kingdom: Site Quantity Surveyor.
Self employed 1971 to 1973
United Kingdom: Land Surveyor.
J. M. Jones Ltd 1970 to 1971
United Kingdom: Trainee Quantity Surveyor.
