Marius Louw

Experience

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  Raubenheimer & Partners

  Jan 1989 - Dec 1992

  Student Quantity Surveyor (Part-Time)

  Selected Public & Private Sector Construction Projects: ­Refurbished hospitals, ensuring enhanced functionality and compliance with healthcare standards (ZAR 2 million*).­Constructed state-of-the-art warehouses tailored to meet commercial storage and distribution requirements (ZAR 20 million*).­Spearheaded the development of teacher training colleges and construction of secondary schools, designed to support modern educational methodologies and community growth (ZAR 30 million*).­Oversaw the modernisation of government offices, upgrading facilities to improve efficiency and service delivery (ZAR 3 million*).­Supervised the renovation of a 3-star hotel, focusing on elevating guest comfort and aligning with industry benchmarks (ZAR 2 million*).­Executed the construction of a military base and correctional facility, meeting rigorous security, durability, and operational standards (ZAR 20 million*). Show less

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  Telford Construction

  Jan 1993 - Jan 1994

  Quantity Surveyor

  Selected Projects: ­Spearheaded quantity surveying for a 5-star hotel on the Chobe River in Botswana and an upscale hotel in Johannesburg, ensuring meticulous cost management and seamless alignment with luxury standards.­Delivered comprehensive quantity surveying solutions for the Central Islamic School in Laudium, supporting the creation of a purpose-built educational facility.­Oversaw cost planning and financial oversight for a 12,000m² retail centre in KwaZulu-Natal, integrating commercial spaces, showrooms, and a KFC outlet while maintaining budgetary control.­Managed the financial evaluation and cost optimisation for a retail centre featuring showrooms in the former Bophuthatswana. Show less

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  Group Five Building

  Jan 1994 - Feb 1998

  Selected Projects: ­Directed the end-to-end management of 108 small contracts, seamlessly coordinating tendering, final account reconciliation, and payment processing.­Supervised projects with a combined value of ZAR 150 million*, implementing stringent cost controls, meeting strict timelines, and maintaining full compliance with project specifications over a three-year period.

  • Business Development Manager

    Jun 1997 - Feb 1998

  • Commercial Manager: Small Works Division

    Oct 1995 - May 1997

  • Quantity Surveyor: Small Works Division

    Jan 1994 - Sept 1995
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  Sithembe Pty Ltd.

  Mar 1998 - Jun 1999

  Assistant Project Manager

  Selected Projects: ­Led the budget planning for the USD 16 million* strategic relocation of a rural village to enable mining expansion, managing the development of a new township with homes for 850 families, while ensuring safety compliance, stakeholder alignment, and adherence to budget and timeline.­Supervised professional quantity surveyors in estimating construction costs for essential public infrastructure, including schools, clinics, and places of worship, associated with the transition of the relocated community. Show less

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  Degaturn Profour Projects

  Jul 1999 - Feb 2000

  Commercial Manager

  Selected Projects: ­Spearheaded budget development and cost management for the construction of high-rise office towers (ZAR 12 million*).­Coordinated commercial activities for infrastructure upgrades at Durban (ZAR 15 million*) and Johannesburg (ZAR 25 million*) International Airports, enhancing capacity, functionality, and traveller experience.

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  Source Projects

  Mar 2000 - Jan 2002

  Business Owner | Project Manager | Project Management Consultant

  Selected Projects: ­Managed the project delivery of two bespoke luxury residences in Sandhurst, spanning 960m² (ZAR 4 million*) and 750m² (ZAR 3 million*), ensuring superior craftsmanship and on-time completion.­Oversaw the development of a ZAR 2 million* modern fuel station with a convenience store, emphasising efficient design and operational functionality.­Collaborated with local communities on the preparation and construction of RDP housing (ZAR 28 million*), assisting with housing grant applications. Show less

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  PQS Practice

  Mar 2000 - Jan 2002

  Business Owner | Project Quantity Surveyor

  Selected Projects: ­Delivered comprehensive quantity surveying expertise for a 5,000m² retail centre development, ensuring precise cost planning, resource allocation, and alignment with project goals.

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  Right Stuff Hardware

  Feb 2002 - Feb 2004

  Business Owner

  ­Successfully owned and operated a 520m² hardware and DIY store, managing all aspects of business operations, including inventory optimisation, supplier negotiations, and customer engagement.

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  PQS Practice

  Feb 2003 - May 2004

  Business Owner | Project Quantity Surveyor

  Selected Projects: ­Delivered quantity surveying services for a high-end residential development in Kyalami, comprising 124 luxury homes.­Spearheaded cost management for a Toyota dealership project (ZAR 15 million*), encompassing state-of-the-art workshops and dual showrooms for new and pre-owned vehicles.­Ensured precise budgeting and resource optimisation for the development of a ZAR 6 million* boutique country hotel, blending functionality with elegance.­Directed quantity surveying for the construction of a cutting-edge 300-bed hospital, aligning financial planning with advanced healthcare infrastructure needs.­Managed diverse smaller-scale projects, including a fully equipped transport depot with workshops and offices, as well as custom-designed private residences tailored to individual client specifications. Show less

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  De Leeuw Middle East

  Jun 2004 - Apr 2006

  Operations Manager & Senior Quantity Surveyor

  Selected Projects: ­Spearheaded the re-establishment of the Dubai office, working closely with the local principal and De Leeuw Pretoria to rebuild and optimise quantity surveying capacity, tailored to support the complexity and scale of the City of Arabia initiative.­Played a pivotal role in the USD 1.75 billion* City of Arabia project, delivering comprehensive cost management and strategic resource planning across key components:Mall of Arabia: Directed cost management for one of the world’s largest malls, hosting over 1,000 tenants across a gross leasable area of 350,000m².Wadi Walk: Led budgeting and surveying for 1,400 villa-style apartments with diverse layouts, seamlessly blending residential functionality with luxury living.High-Rise Developments: Oversaw cost planning for 13 mixed-use towers ranging from 30 to 80 stories, ensuring adherence to project timelines and quality benchmarks.Infrastructure and Landscaping: Supervised budgeting for critical infrastructure, utilities, roads, and the integration of hard and soft landscaping to achieve both functional and aesthetic objectives. Show less

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  Tourism Development & Investment Company

  May 2006 - Jan 2011

  Commercial Manager

  ­Conducted feasibility studies with integrated financial modelling and cost estimates, established comprehensive budgeting and cost management frameworks, and ensured financial accountability through oversight of reporting and final account reconciliation during project close-out.­Directed the end-to-end procurement process for consultancy and construction services, encompassing scope development, work breakdown structures, tendering, evaluation, and appointment of consultants and contractors across disciplines such as architecture, engineering, and interior design.­Managed contract administration across diverse projects, including drafting, negotiating, and overseeing FIDIC and custom agreements, while supervising the FIDIC engineer’s role to ensure compliance, clear deliverables, and seamless execution.Monitored construction progress, assessed risks, evaluated claims, and implemented mitigation strategies to maintain adherence to project schedules and budgets.­Resolved complex disputes through arbitration, effectively addressing contractor non-performance to protect project objectives and interests.Selected Projects: ­Directed all commercial and operational aspects of real estate and infrastructure projects, from concept design to operational handover, including:Luxury hospitality developments, including hotels (ZAR 10 billion*) and island resorts (Saadiyat and Desert Islands; ZAR 2 billion*).ZAR 3 billion* in infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, utility networks, airfields, and marine facilities.Residential developments totalling ZAR 6 billion*, including large-scale housing and a 20,000-person construction village (ZAR 4 billion*).Large-scale landscaping initiatives, featuring plant nurseries (ZAR 150 million*) and eco-tourism wildlife parks (ZAR 500 million*). Show less

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  Mitsubishi Power

  Feb 2011 - now

  ­Partners with external legal professionals to develop strategies, assemble legal teams, and engage expert witnesses for dispute resolution through mediation, arbitration, and High Court actions, while enhancing the organisation’s ability to navigate complex legal challenges effectively.­Analyses and evaluates claims filed by or against the organisation, offering strategic insights into success probabilities and potential risks to support effective resolution strategies. ­­Forecasts resources, manages costs, and enhances oversight of litigation and dispute resolution through advanced control systems and tools, enabling informed decision-making and proactive risk management. Show less ­Directed the ZAR 31 billion* commercial and contractual management of the main construction subcontract at Medupi and Kusile power stations, overseeing scope delivery, close-out, and dispute resolution under a cost-reimbursable FIDIC framework. ­Managed all commercial aspects of a contractor with 5,000-member workforce with peak monthly revenues of ZAR 400 million*, reporting directly to the COO and Chief Procurement Officer.­Identified and mitigated scope gaps and contractual risks in the subcontractor agreement, implementing remedies to safeguard organisational interests while resolving complex technical, commercial, and contractual issues with multidisciplinary support.­Streamlined project and commercial management integration by enhancing reporting transparency and aligning claims, HSE, quality, and change management functions with strategic objectives. ­Coordinated with legal, finance, and operational teams to manage subcontract complexities effectively.­Delivered the subcontract scope by June 2020, resolving defects and disputes exceeding ZAR 3 billion* through structured mechanisms like DAB and arbitration, supporting legal teams with case preparation, and serving as a factual witness in proceedings.­Developed systems to build organisational capacity, improve collaboration across disciplines, and enable real-time reporting, driving proactive risk management and strategic alignment through agile solutions and adaptable ERP systems.­Applied human behavioural insights to project structuring, establishing clear roles, fostering cross-silo collaboration, and aligning leadership with execution to enhance efficiency, minimise errors, and ensure adaptive, results-driven decision-making. Show less ­Balanced dual responsibilities for the largest subcontract at Medupi and Kusile power stations (ZAR 21 billion*) and led site-based operations while maintaining head-office commercial oversight.­Project-managed ZAR 10 billion* in subcontract scopes, covering assembly, erection, control and instrumentation (C&I), and thermal insulation packages, ensuring performance, scope, and schedule adjustments were effectively handled.­Managed subcontract project managers and coordinated over 50 local and international subcontractors across diverse disciplines, ensuring clarity of scope, adherence to timelines, cost control, and compliance with stringent HSE, quality, and technical standards.­Established and led the subcontracts project management department to address gaps in progress and cost oversight, mitigating risks to delivery, quality, and financial outcomes.­Integrated project and commercial management functions to deliver accurate reporting, support informed decision-making, and align ERP systems and processes with business strategies to maximise adaptability and project opportunities.­Fostered proactive risk management through real-time reporting and comprehensive documentation, enhancing transparency and increasing project success rates.­Navigated complex challenges by championing collaboration across functional silos, aligning top-down and bottom-up approaches, and implementing strategic, ethical responses to change.­Strengthened operational capacity by building multidisciplinary teams, implementing structured systems, and aligning team selection and project controls with clearly defined goals and organisational vision. Show less ­Directed commercial management and contract administration for the ZAR 25 billion* Medupi power station project, overseeing the supply and erection of six boiler units under an amended cost-reimbursable FIDIC contract.­Acted as the principal advisor to the Project Director on all commercial matters, reporting to the CFO and leading the commercial project department.­Ensured the ethical execution of upstream and downstream commercial activities, aligning processes with sanctions, best practices, and project success metrics to maximise value at both project and enterprise levels.­Built and led a high-performing team, clearly defining roles and responsibilities to mitigate risks, manage priorities, and resolve conflicts effectively in high-pressure environments.­Developed and implemented integrated reporting frameworks and documentation systems to align project and commercial management, ensuring the preservation of critical records and promoting real-time record-keeping to enhance organisational responsiveness and support legal and commercial processes.­Resolved over 40 high-value claims worth billions of Rands, addressing payment disputes, delays, defects, force majeure, and damages through mediation, adjudication, and arbitration. ­Collaborated with legal teams, served as a factual witness, and supported expert and factual witnesses to protect organisational interests. 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  • Senior Commercial Manager: Subcontracts (Downstream Supply Chain)

    Aug 2022 - now

  • Project Manager: Subcontracts

    Feb 2018 - Jul 2022

  • Project Manager: Medupi Power Station Subcontract

    Oct 2016 - Jan 2018

  • Commercial Project Manager

    May 2013 - Sept 2016

  • Commercial Project Manager

    Feb 2011 - Apr 2013