Keeping complex projects on programme, on contract and on budget.
Consultant with over 20 years' experience delivering projects across aviation, utilities, power, petrochemicals and critical infrastructure in the UK, Europe and the Middle East.
My career began in Mechanical Engineering, earning a City & Guilds qualification that led to practical, hands-on roles in Construction and Civil Engineering. Motivated by a desire to broaden my expertise, I later returned to university as a mature student and completed a BSc (Hons) in Computing and Networking. This academic pivot opened the door to a new path in Airport Special & Security Systems, where I specialised in baggage reconciliation and check-in systems projects that took me across the EMEA region.
These early experiences introduced me to the intricacies and challenges of project delivery and contract management. Over the following two decades, I made it a priority to bridge knowledge gaps and deepen my understanding of both client and end-user needs. To support this, I pursued industry-recognised certifications including PRINCE2, MSP, ITIL, AvSec, and ASIS PSP.
My commitment to continuous professional development led to further academic achievement, including an MSc and an LLM, as well as credentials such as MRICS, ICE CLCM, FIDIC Certified Contract Manager and NEC3/4 ECC PM. These qualifications have enabled me to take on increasingly strategic responsibilities across the managerial, contractual, and commercial dimensions of project delivery.
With over 20 years of experience in Project and Contract Management, I've developed the judgment to recognise where specialist input is needed – and the confidence to seek it. I value working with knowledgeable professionals and am committed to continuous learning, knowledge sharing, and delivering successful outcomes through collaboration and informed decision-making.
What I do for clients
Three disciplines, one joined-up view of your project.
Most project problems sit where programme, contract and money meet. I work across all three.
Project Management
PMO set-up, project controls and turning around projects that have gone off track, from complex legacy-system programmes to civil works in remote, security-sensitive environments.
PMO set-up: requirements, control tools, procedures, SLAs & KPIs
Civil works across the Middle East securing aviation, government buildings, steam power plants and data centres
GPS asset data capture for the Gas Alliance and National Grid
Highly regulated sectors: utilities, petrochem, aviation, power
Contract Management
Contract administration, risk advice and claims under FIDIC, NEC and heavily amended and bespoke forms, on high-value aviation, transport and residential developments.
FIDIC, NEC3, NEC4 and heavily amended and bespoke contracts
Qatar GCC for public works; FIDIC engineering claims management
Resident Engineer on a warehouse automation contract
Working with legal teams on rights, obligations and disputes
LLM Construction Law & Arbitration, Robert Gordon University
Commercial Management
Cost control across the whole project lifecycle, working with PQS and QS teams from pre-contract planning to post-contract forecasting, financial oversight and claims.
Pre- and post-contract financial analysis, planning, monitoring and reporting
Budgeting, cash flow forecasting and variations
MSc Commercial Project Management, University of Manchester
Member of the RICS
On site
Recent projects
A selection of sites I've worked on: infrastructure, power and security works.
Darren has worked with us on several key projects during the expansion of our business. He has that very rare combination of project management skills, business acumen and extensive knowledge of the construction sector. He always delivers, and brings clarity of thought to each situation. His insight on the commercial aspects of a project is also extremely valuable.
Darren's knowledge is exceptional. He is dependable, astute, and an outstanding communicator when it comes to contractual terms. His ability to provide clear and comprehensive contract risk advice is unparalleled.
Darren is a thorough, professional Project Manager backed up by strong technical knowledge and qualifications. He has excellent team/resource management competencies that ensure effective and efficient project delivery. I've always found him to be thorough and methodical in his approach to projects and consistently delivered high standards.
He has every project management accreditation imaginable and is the most tenacious person I know. I have great respect for his professional judgment and his ability to consistently deliver.
I have known Darren, both professionally and personally, for over 15 years, and had the privilege of acting as his sponsor during his RICS APC. I have full confidence in his professional capabilities and will happily provide a recommendation upon request.
Contact
Let's talk about your project.
Whether you need a contract reviewed, a project brought back on track, or commercial support through to completion, I'd be glad to hear from you.
