News
CELEBRATING A CENTENARY
OF COST MANAGEMENT OFFERING IN AFRICA
Consulting firm Aecom is celebrating this anniversary with the launch of the 33rd edition of its highly anticipated and well respected Africa Property & Construction Cost Guide 2022 / 23 .
In addition , Aecom has a new leadership structure for its Programme Cost Consultancy ( PCC ) division , director Herman
Berry has announced .
Estia Cronje is the new PCC practice area lead for the Centurion head office , servicing the Gauteng region , while senior quantity surveyor ( QS ) Wonga James , who has been with Aecom since 2008 , has been promoted to associate . Khanyisa Mabala joins the Centurion head office from Cape Town as MEP lead and associate .
“ Historically Gauteng has been our strongest region since it accounts for most of the country ’ s economic activity . Hence , we looked to bolster our PCC management team . We were especially pleased to be in a position where we could internally appoint talented women to some of these key roles , reflecting our strong focus on diversity and inclusion ,” says Berry .
The PCC division plays a critical role in Aecom as it is involved with many landmark projects in Gauteng . “ It was important for us to have the correct leadership structure in place with the required expertise and experience , as it gives the market confidence to entrust their significant work to us ,” says Berry .
Cronje ’ s role is to develop a high performing cost management team to nurture new and existing client relationships , as well as winning and delivering projects across the business . She has honed her skills on some of the largest projects in Africa and the Middle East , specialising in retail and mixed-use developments .
“ I am very excited to be part of change . Having been with Aecom for nearly a decade , I have a deep understanding of its culture and people . Success for me is the success of every individual , while our cumulative success drives the business forward ,” says Cronje .
Mabala says she is excited by the challenges and opportunities presented by her new role , especially with many municipalities looking to alternative sources of power and water as loadshedding and increasingly stringent sustainability requirements make their impact felt on essential infrastructure throughout the country .
Given this constantly changing environment , the cost guide has become an institutional tool for the wider built environment . “ It is our aim to continue to deliver excellence and enhance this tool . Testament to the excellent work our teams are delivering , is the feedback and repeat business we receive from our clients . We believe in maintaining and fostering these valuable relationships and want to thank our loyal clients for their continued support ,” says Berry .
Commenting on the latest trends highlighted by the cost guide , Berry points to ongoing advances in the digital space . Research has shown that the QS profession has been slow to adapt to change and generally reluctant to invest in BIM technologies . Studies by the RICS have proved that BIM will enhance the profession , but significant change will be required to meet renewed client expectations . “ We have invested in industryleading 5D-digital tools to ensure we remain a pioneer in our market ,” adds Berry .
Other advances have been made in terms of Aecom ’ s commitment to sustainability . Last year it launched its transformative environmental , social and governance ( ESG ) strategy , sustainable legacies . Here the key pillars are to achieve net zero emissions , embed sustainable development and resilience across the business , improve social outcomes and improve governance .
Since the inception of the cost guide , it has been used widely by consultants , construction professionals , academics and other professional stakeholders . Berry says the cost guide is a tool for Aecom to engage in a dialogue with its clients about the importance of cost management and how it can be optimised . “ It is not limited to the QS function and has really found a broader application throughout the industry ,” says Berry . This is due to the high-quality research that goes into the cost guide , largely overseen by Dr Gerhard Brummer . The cost guide is also endorsed and disseminated by key associations such as the Association of South African Quantity Surveyors ( ASAQS ).
To download the Aecom Africa Property & Construction Cost Guide 2022 / 23 , contact the Aecom team . RACA
www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za RACA Journal I February 2023 3