INTERNATIONAL MEMBER INTERVIEW
Laeeq Hassan How long have you been a Quantity Surveying professional? For over 20 years I have been providing services as a Cost Consultant and Consultant (Engineer’s Representative) in Quantity Surveying and commercial/ contracts management, in Pakistan, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, Qatar and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). I started my career as an assistant quantity surveyor in Karachi, Pakistan in 1993 and relocated to Dubai, UAE in 1999, where I worked for 12 years on challenging engineering and construction projects. When did you join Currie & Brown and what is your role? In 2012, I moved to Qatar and joined Currie & Brown – a large, international, asset-management and construction consultancy headquartered in the UK. I was initially seconded by Currie & Brown to the Qatar Government, where I led an infrastructure department, with a specific role to manage payments and variations on the Doha Expressway Project. In 2013, I was transferred to KSA to assist the company’s project director in establishing the KSA business, and to deliver the core services that essentially define Quantity Surveying. What is your current role and scope of responsibilities? I am engaged on a cost-plus contract for the expansion of the Prophet Mosque in Madinah, KSA where I manage various site teams such as: civil and architectural works; mechanical, electrical and plumbing works; resources manpower and equipment; material inspections; and site administration. I represent
Laeeq Hassan MSc (QS), FRICS, PQS, ACIArb
I am very passionate about mentoring and assisting CIQS candidates, regionally and internationally. Currie & Brown at meetings, and deal with day-to-day issues, working closely with the owner‘s and the contractor’s senior staff. I also ensure compliance with the company’s corporate policies, such as health and safety. At the core of our services is ensuring that we adhere to international best practice processes and prevailing policies and procedures. How and when did you achieve your PQS Designation? A significant professional development for me was when I became a Chartered Quantity Surveyor in 2011, subsequently upgraded to fellowship. This major milestone cemented a professional outlook that has become a continuous learning experience. In 2013, I applied for and was granted professional membership of the CIQS. I was very pleased to achieve the designation of PQS and I proudly use the title. How are you contributing to your profession? I am very passionate about mentoring and assisting CIQS candidates, regionally and internationally. It has been equally pleasing for me that I have supervised and counselled many candidates seeking professional designations in Quantity Surveying. This has included aspiring professionals from the Middle East, Pakistan and India which has augmented well with my experience in commercial and project management within the
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construction industry. Our industry is diverse in geography and it has been very pleasing to contribute to this. Can you give us an example of projects that you have worked on? I have been fortunate to have been engaged in the construction of some world-class projects such as: the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa; UAE’s largest interchange/underpass; the largest expressway project in Qatar; and the world’s second-largest mosque project in KSA. Every project was unique: with distinct nuances, challenges and opportunities. What types of professional services have you provided? I have provided services in various procurement formats such as: design/ build, traditional and other routes including construction management. These services include: • reviewing, finalizing, issuing and monitoring site inspections/ monitoring schedules; • organizing, developing and delivering the agreed scope of service for projects, monitoring subsequent performance, and taking corrective action where appropriate; • reviewing and finalizing monthly resources reports and quantity reports. • reviewing and finalizing contractor payment applications (IMP and equipment), and processing recommendations for client approval.
