Roger Cassidy

Samsung C&T has recently set up a new business entity offering Program Management services. One of Samsung's major clients in the region is Meraas Development who is embarking on an ambitious development programme targeting the Leisure and Tourism market. Initially appointed as Delivery Manager to oversee one of the smaller projects, my role has expanded to managing multi Billion Dirham projects. The projects are at an early stage of design with early work packages beginning on site including infrastructure, piling etc. These projects are on a fast track procurement schedule with multiple handover dates in the next 2-3 years.

The information available on these projects is limited due to the fact they are not yet public knowledge.

RPE is primarily a design Consultancy however for the Ritz Carlton Hotel Expansion; they required a Client Representative on site to handle the overall running of the project. The project consists of 148 Guest Rooms, Ballroom and Conference centre, Spa, external landscaping areas, Asian Restaurant and an external Bar/Lounge. The project was successfully handed over and has obtained all Authority approvals including Dubai Police, Civil Defence, Environmental and DTCM. My responsibilities included:
- Initiation of the Project Management Plan and setting up of systems and procedures on site
- Procurement of Provisional Sums and other Client procured items
- Management of all Commercial tasks (Rebutting Claims, EOT’s etc)
- Oversight of all project deliverables
- Coordinator for all Consultants and Contractors
- Initiate workshop’s to resolve problems expediently
- Acting as the FIDIC Engineer on the project (FIDIC 99 Contract)
- Project Value was in the region of AED 325 Million

Confluence is a Project Management Consultancy headquartered in Singapore with offices in Europe, Middle East and Australia. My initial appointment as Senior Project Manager was to oversee the F1-X Theme Park and the Marriott Hotel in Dubai. My responsibilities for those projects included:

- Appointment of all Consultants and Contractors
- Initiation of the Project Management Plan
- Procurement of all specialist rides
- Appointment of all internal staff which grew to 17 persons
- Control of Confluence operations
- Oversight of all project deliverables
- Acting as the FIDIC Engineer on both projects
- Assisting the Client with recruitment of the Operations team
- Presenting on behalf of the Client to financial institutions providing funding to the projects

The project reached 60% completion on the overall Master Programme at which time it was suspended early 2009 due to the financial crisis. My focus was then in Abu Dhabi including complete RFP bid management, lead generation and management oversight of our existing projects and adherence to parameters set by our Clients. Following the successful acquisition of three new major projects in Abu Dhabi, I was promoted to Area Manager.

Projects directly involved in:

- Mezyad Desert Park, Al Ain: AED 500 M
- Hili Archaeological Park, Al Ain: AED 500 M
- Fairmont Hotel and Serviced Apartments, Abu Dhabi: AED 1.3 B
- Urology Hospital, Dubai: AED 350 M
- Harvard Medical School, Dubai: AED 400 M
- Clifford Chance Fitout, Abu Dhabi AED 2.5 M
- Accor Central Services Office, Dubai AED 2.5 M
- F1-X Theme Park, Dubai: AED 2.3 B
- Marriott Courtyard Hotel, Dubai: AED 450 M

Responsibilities as Area Manager

Operational management of several projects including:

- Najmat Development, Reem Island: AED 1.2 B
- Imperial College London Diabetes Centre: AED 70 M
- The Yas Hotel: Value Confidential
- Yas Island Race day Hotels: Value Confidential

as well as previously mentioned projects above

In my role as Area Manager for the final year with Confluence, my operational responsibilities included:

- Accounting - use of Hyperion to track all projects
- Enhancing and developing in-house systems and procedures
- Enhancing Staff morale through various schemes
- Client Liaison
- Business Development
o Liaising with new and potential Clients
o Bidding Projects
o Presenting
o Negotiating contracts
- Human Resources
- In addition to these roles, 50% of my time was allocated to management oversight of two major projects with our key Client, Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH).