THE QSi GENERAL COUNCIL MEMBERS

Roger Knowles

My career started when I left school and took up a position of Junior Quantity Surveyor in private practise. In my first few years I learned how buildings are constructed and the basic principles of measurement. The skill of preparing bills of quantities, final accounts and cost plans was to follow and with it the ability to financially manages the whole construction process. I then moved into managing an office for my employer and finally started a business of my own which provided QS and dispute resolution services. Throughout my career I have benefited greatly from being able to use the skills which I learned as a Quantity Surveyor.

Andrew Williams, Principal of Andrew R Williams and Associates, Consulting Quantity Surveyors: Building Consultants

My Grandfather was a Director of a small building company.  My father was a QS. After being taken around a large number of Building Sites during my formative years (Health and safety rules were less onerous in those days), staring at partially completed buildings and absorbing phrases like exceptionally inclement weather, extensions of time, contractual claims and the like, my life was destined to go one of two ways.  I either went into the Building Industry or rejected it completely.

Luckily, building was in my blood.

After a four year full time course in Quantity Surveying and a further two years of part time study, I went to work for well established Liverpool based QS practices. At one stage in my career, I also worked in the QS department of a local brewery where I was responsible for preparing Bills of Quantities and Specifications for a large number of new build and remedial works for the brewery's public house stock in the Northwest.  

Since setting up in Private Practice, I have been actively involved in pre-and post contract QS work both for private clients and contracting organisations.

I have been involved is schemes ranging from a major restoration works on a large church, alterations to bank buildings, new build housing schemes, self build housing schemes, new factory units, office block developments, dockland redevelopment work, barn conversions and remedial works on fire damaged buildings. In addition, I have attended court as an expert witness and have published a number of building related books. 

Although I now have a small team working for me, I still spend a good proportion of my week making site visits. One of the things that I like about my chosen profession is that building projects are extremely varied and variety is the spice of life.  

Steve Newcombe, Senior Cost Consultant, Cyril Sweett

I am a senior cost consultant, over the years I have gained extensive pre and post contract experience. My career in the construction industry in 1982 and has experience as a site manager, buyer, estimator and quantity surveyor, employers agent and assistant project manager. Recently I have worked on two major Government projects, and I am now working of three Landmark buildings here in the UK, Dubai and India.
 

Then I  decided time for a change again and I have been working for Birse Rail since Aug. 2007 on various enhancement and new build schemes.

Enough about work, well Scott the person, I’m currently living in Swansea and for my sins I choose to relax by playing at war games ( I’m a Corporal in the Royal Engineers ). This must make me a member of select club, as there can’t be many Q.S.s out there with a Class 1 LGV licence and also a ADR / Hazmat qualification ( this enables me to drive hazardous loads ), my other hobbies, when I get any time are watching rugby and general socializing.