Professional Qualifications BSc Quantity Surveying RICS Diploma in Adjudication Legal Experience Training Advanced Professional Award in Expert Witness Evidence Professional Memberships Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Member of the Chartered Institute of Building Member of the Adjudication Society Member of the Society of Construction Law After 15 years working as a quantity surveyor I decided to focus on my particular interest in construction contract matters and founded my own consultancy business in early 2009 to focus on this area. I work for a number of clients generally based on personal recommendation. Part of my ambition was to become an adjudicator and I completed the RICS Diploma in Adjudication in 2011. This course also made me interested in the role of the expert witness and I also completed an RICS accredited award in expert witness evidence. The skills learned from this training have greatly assisted my advocacy skills and my understanding of the criticality, rules and requirements relating to evidence. I have presented to the Anglian Branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators on the topic Getting Delayed and Getting Paid: The Builder s Perspective and also carried out company training in respect of the changes made by the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act (2009) to the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act (1996). Away from work I have taken a key role as a Charity Trustee of a pre-school. The group was in a poor financial state when my involvement started and also requires a replacement building. I have taken on a number of roles on the committee and ensured the group s survival by project managing successful funding applications totalling over 200,000 for a new building. However, still with a shortage of funds I then donated my time to design the building, secure planning permission and building regulations approval and project manage the build itself. I believe that the above shows that I make a difference in matters that I get involved with. I have demonstrated this both at work and in the community and I believe that this basic ambition underpinned by technical ability, vision, challenge and above all integrity means I will be a powerful asset for any endeavour I am involved with. I am delighted to be able to include this personal reference from Ray McAuley, formerly Regional Managing Director for the Eastern region of Bluestone (rebranded Morgan Sindall) and subsequently Business Development Director:- Mathew is a very talented individual, full of energy and drive... he is commercially astute, detailed in his work and has excellent contracts knowledge.
Career History Joining Wates Construction Ltd in 1993 I worked on a number of projects for the Cambridge office in East Anglia. Having been noticed I was seconded onto a national training committee which led me to join the London office. Working there with key people in the business I learned a huge amount, both about excellence in both construction and in the commercial approach. In 1999 I completed my Quantity Surveying degree on day release and the following year achieved MRICS and MCIOB status. After a brief spell working for a residential developer (Weston Homes) I joined Bluestone in 2002 as a Senior Surveyor. I worked as part of a delivery team on three projects culminating in the successful completion of all commercial duties on the 13m London Centre for Nanotechnology for University College London. Following this I was promoted to the role of Commercial Manager for the Cambridge office in late 2005. This involved full commercial responsibility for a 25m turnover business unit with the commensurate role in the senior management team. My accountabilities were:- staff management and recruitment commercial performance of projects collation and accuracy of all project reports for inclusion in Company accounts contract formation including bonds, warranties, guarantees and the like dispute resolution resolution of historic issues including outstanding accounts and defective works supply chain management business development settlement of tenders business improvement The two year spell in this role taught me a huge amount about what it takes to provide leadership within a business. Early on in the position I also took on the role of Acting Area Director and was proud to draw together a demoralised team, giving them a sense of purpose and a vision of the future and empowering them to deliver results. The benefits of a number of changes in structure, in office layout and in visibility of senior management had a dramatic impact and translated into a year where we exceeded turnover and profit targets, reduced staff turnover to a minimum, and markedly improved project delivery. I also instigated some innovations (including introducing the Construction Lean Improvement Programme) which are still making a significant difference to the business today. The final contribution I made to Morgan Ashurst was playing a significant role in the bid teams for two long term agreements, leading to securing a place on the framework for Cambridgeshire County Council s seven-year framework and first reserve for the SmartEAST collaboration. While at Morgan Ashurst I benefitted greatly from high quality training culminating in completing modules on the Morgan Sindall Directors Programme. Run by an external organisation, the training centred on the attributes of business leaders, highly performing teams, and business management. I decided to pursue an attractive opportunity with Mount Anvil in late 2007 and joined the business at Easter 2008. I took the opportunity as it gave me the chance to be more closely involved with construction projects, but also offered long term opportunity to achieve a leadership position in helping to manage and develop the business. In the time with the business I was able to make a difference in a number of areas reviewing the appointment documentation for designers, assisting in getting two projects through credit with funders, reviewing the development appraisal on two schemes and looking at some of the process and procedures of the business.
HIGHLIGHTS OF WORK EXPERIENCE (CHRONOLOGICAL MOST RECENT LAST) PROSTRUCTION COMMERCIAL SERVICES LTD 2009 MANAGING DIRECTOR Commercial Consultant Party advocate in adjudications Commercial and contractual review of disputes Production of claims relating to extension of time / loss and expense Final accounting/assessment of variations Acting for party in negotiation with lawyers regarding allegedly defective works Production of claim relating to abortive design works under a framework contract Review and redrafting of bespoke and standard form sub-contracts Risk management for Building Schools for the Future bid Advice on claims strategy relating to NEC3 Target Cost contract Review and training about the Construction Act Defending claims from sub-contractors Estimating support including production of tender quantities MOUNT ANVIL 2008-2009 MANAGING SURVEYOR Barnsbury Colleges Leading pre-construction activities on 22m refurbishment of Victorian school complex Appointing design team Liaison with vendor Preparation of cashflow forecasts for funder Value engineering/redesign to reduce construction costs Detailed review/development of cost plan including verification of proposals Sub-contract procurement Barnsbury Colleges Involved in pre-construction activities on 352 unit development in EC1 MORGAN ASHURST (FORMERLY BLUESTONE) 2002-2008 COMMERCIAL MANAGER (2006-2008) Key role in leading 25m business unit Business planning Commercial responsibility for all projects in area office Coordinating project reporting and reviews Resolving old problem projects Reducing unrealised cash from 2m to 500k Bonds, guarantees and warranties Setting project commercial strategies Signing off sub-contract procurement Sub-contract disputes Extensions of time/loss and expense Recruitment/staff issues Assisting pre-construction team reviewing tenders and contract conditions Business development/marketing
Involvement Newnham College Kitchen and Buttery, Cambridge University of Cambridge Whipple Museum University of Cambridge Dept of Plant Sciences University of Cambridge Dept of Biochemistry Princess Alexander Hopsital New Pathology Unit, Harlow St Johns College Triangle I, Cambridge WCD NEC2 5.3m 0.6m 0.8m 0.9m 2.9m 1.7m Involved in negotiated final account to encompass EOT and loss and expense Negotiated final account direct with client following failure of architect to award EOT Negotiated acceleration package following early delays Addenbrookes Hospital K Ward St Johns Triangle Phase 2, Cambridge Cranfield University Sports Hall JCT05 NEC2 GC Works D&B 1.5m 7.7m 2.6m Involved in negotiating revised contract sum after deferred start and redesign Negotiations over issues with tender information leading to delay/disruption Bassingbourn Village College 2.7m Sports Hall St Neots Town FC ACA 4.1m Direct negotiation with client of final account following delays Selwyn College Anns Court 2, JCT05 6.2m Oversaw negotiated contract Cambridge sum St Johns Buttery, Cambridge JCT05 560k Assisted client in preparation of contract documents Iceni Water, Duxford NEC3 1.5m Negotiated contract sum and dealt with all day-to-day surveying alongside other duties St Neots Primary School Rayne Primary School, Braintree Roomes Furniture Store, Upminster Lathams Yard, Hackney WCD 2.9m 1.3m 1.7m 5.3m Identified opportunity in BQ to secure project Picked up negotiation of final account/eot issues after project QS left Involved in negotiations with client pre-commencement and ongoing through project SENIOR QUANTITY SURVEYOR (2006-2008) Digital Laboratories/Health and Human Sciences, University of Hertfordshire* late 2005 MQS for 4.5m design and build and 3.0m traditional projects Renegotiated contract sum and period following client redesign on Digital Laboratories
UCL Centre for Nanotechnology, London 2003-2005 8.7m research building under traditional form 65 week contract Carried out all surveying and commercial functions virtually single-handed Double basement and six upper floors Active in negotiation of 28-week Extension of Time, agreement of associated Loss and Expense Pricing and negotiating major variation to M&E workscope, value exceeding 2million Complete remeasurement of project Sub-Contract procurement Day-one final accounting Negotiated final account settlement of 12.9m Pegasus Retirement Homes, Winchmore Hill 2002-2003 2.4m design and build residential development Sub-Contract procurement and control Full involvement in design meetings and value / cost management Preparation of Quantum Meruit claim surrounding Letter of Intent issues 12/13 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden 2002 5.3m design and build office with ground floor commercial space Post-contract work including procurement and cost control Major reconciliation of cost and value to assess profitability and financial risk for reporting to board of directors WESTON HOMES 2001-2002 SENIOR SURVEYOR Millharbour Work with solicitors to draw up bespoke sub-contract conditions to satisfy requirements of funders Pre-construction activities for new multi-storey mixed use development on Isle of Dogs
WATES CONSTRUCTION LTD 1993-2001 VARIOUS LEVELS FROM TRAINEE SURVEYOR TO SENIOR SITE SURVEYOR (2006-2008) GlaxoSmithKline Building S Refurbishment, Ware 2001 Negotiation of prelims and overhead / profit with PQS Procurement of Sub-Contract packages for 4m refurbishment / extension project Prepared interim valuations and managed payment process Management / monitoring of cash-flow Represented Contractor at Project Meetings advising delays to client 3-9 Newgate Street Phase II late 1999 to early 2001 14m shell and core construction works of eight storey office block in City of London Fast track project including high level of Liquidated and Ascertained Damages requiring rigorous programme monitoring and record-keeping Coached in variation analysis to arbitration standard Drafted notifications of delays to contract architect Coached in detailed Extension of Time application Coached in production of adjudication submission Resolution of Final Accounts with major trade contractors Defended claims for loss and expense from Sub-Contractors Managed two assistant surveyors on daily basis Stansted Airport Link Bridges 1999 Full commercial responsibility for 600,000 project for BAA Full involvement with project team that delivered on time and to budget Provided input to Value Engineering reviews SmithKlineBeecham, The Frythe 1998 On site commercial representative negotiating scope, cost and time for works on multiple projects on site with employer s agent Various Projects 1993-1997 General functions of trainee/assistant site surveyor reporting to a number of Senior and Managing Surveyors on projects either as part of a team or working alone