Bringing four decades of leadership to the position, the construction advisory services veteran will continue the firm’s commitment to intercontinental expansion, technological innovation, and client service.
Julian Anderson, President of Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) North America has been named Chairman of RLB’s Global Board of Directors.
Previous Global Chairman Ann Bentley said, ‘Although it is with some sadness that my stint as Global Chair is over, as it has been a real privilege to represent RLB at this level and meet so many colleagues from all around the world, I am looking forward to our next chapter under Julian’s stewardship. I, along with everyone at RLB, offer welcome and support to Julian in this important role.’
‘I am excited to continue to supply trusted advice to all of our clients by utilizing RLB’s large network of experts,’ said Julian, who has played a major part in shaping the cost consultancy’s business for more than 40 years. He began his career in 1976 at the company’s Brisbane office as a Cadet Quantity Surveyor and soon assisted with the establishment of its Sunshine Coast office. In 1992, he relocated to Hawaii (and later the mainland) to launch the firm’s operations in the United States and Canada; ultimately, Julian has been responsible for expanding RLB into 22 new markets.
A founding shareholder of the company’s North American practice, Julian will shepherd the firm’s continuing global growth. RLB is targeting five specific areas for development: reinforcing its successful Euro Alliance, strengthening the company’s platform in Central and South America, expanding its platform in sub-Saharan Africa, investigating opportunities in India; and extending its existing technology platforms.
In October, Julian will convene the first-ever global conference of RLB management, a three-day meeting in San Francisco which will highlight the diverse scope and strategy of the company’s leadership. ‘I have always believed in the importance of personal relationships and dialogues,’ said Julian. ‘By bringing our team together, face-to-face, to exchange information on best practices, we will not only build even closer personal bonds, we will also be able to better serve our clients.’
Another initiative of the Global Board is the Global Experience Exchange Program (GEEP), where RLB employees can apply to spend up to a month working at one of the firm’s world-wide locations. The objectives of the program are to build the company’s international network, promote the sharing of business knowledge and expertise, and encourage personal development.
A respected contributor to such industry publications as ‘Engineering News-Record’ and ‘Design Intelligence’, Julian is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Quantity Surveyors, Fellow of the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering, Fellow of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, and a Certified Cost Professional. A licensed general contractor in Arizona and Nevada, he received his tertiary qualifications in quantity surveying from the Queensland Institute of Technology.