Cundall announces new appointments

Cundall has announced the appointment of two new partners within its global leadership team, among several other promotions. The appointment of Rob Turner in Manchester and Alejandro (Alex) Saez in Singapore brings the number of partners in the business to 44.

At the same time, David Collins will become a director within Cundall Australia, and join Cundall’s Australian management board. Marcus Kan is stepping up to the role of new Managing Director for Singapore.

Cundall says the appointments coincide with the launch of its new strategy, solidifying the global business’s commitment to sustainability. Cundall has pledged that all projects will be zero carbon in design by 2030. The strategy also sets goals for the practice for the next 10 years, building on the vision set out by previous generations of partners. This includes a renewed focus on culture and ensuring that Cundall remains a people-focused practice.

The company says Singapore-based Operations Director Alex Saez achieved partner status in recognition of his leadership abilities and extensive technical expertise in leading multi-disciplinary engineering projects with global clients. 

“He has delivered flagship projects in sectors that are crucial to the economic and social development of the APAC region, including data centres, aviation and rail as well as hospitality and commercial property,” says Cundall.

Saez joined Cundall Madrid in 2011 and re-joined Cundall Singapore in 2017, having previously led engineering design teams for projects in the UK and Europe, Middle East, Asia and Australia. He is passionate about leveraging the power of diversity within Cundall’s team and in the multifaceted region of Asia-Pacific.

Cundall’s Brisbane-based Head of Sustainability (Australia), David Collins, joined Cundall in 2007 and has worked on projects in Asia, Australia and the Pacific Islands as a sustainability consultant, energy auditor, independent commissioning agent and Green Star accredited professional. He is also a member of the NABERS Independent Design Review panel.

“He has contributed significantly to advances in asset performance and holistic sustainable design in challenging sectors including industrial property, retail, medical and aged care,” says the company. “Collins develops trust and understanding with project teams with the aim of simplifying the complicated to further sustainable development.”

APAC Digital Engineering lead Celine Cannam has been promoted to Associate, Building Services. Based in Sydney, Cannam works on projects across the region including critical systems and data centres, heritage building refurbishments, major commercial buildings, multi-residential and institutional buildings.

Cundall says there were also 21 promotions within the APAC engineering and technical team, including staff elevated to principal, senior engineer or senior consultant status, and graduates elevated to fully-fledged engineer or sustainability consultant positions. Across the global business, more than 90 people were promoted.

APAC Managing Director Julian Bott says the promotions within the APAC business reflected both the growth of the business and the excellence, commitment and capabilities of key people.

“In the past 12 months, Cundall has seen an escalation in demand for integrated, multi-disciplinary engineering design that incorporates zero carbon and ESG as fundamental,” says Bott.

“We are also increasingly working across portfolios that span national and international borders, and our new executive appointments all have substantial expertise in coordinating global teams and working within a variety of sectors and geographies.

“This is the essence of who we are – one global team with a common purpose to deliver solutions for people and the planet. And, as we grow as a business, we also ensure we grow the careers of our people.”

Image shows Rob Turner (left) and Alex Saez, image courtesy of Cundall.