John Blade is a chartered quantity surveyor with over 14 years experience in the construction industry and has worked on many complex building and engineering projects across a variety of sectors, including power generation, civils infrastructure, water and wastewater, educational, rail and residential.
John worked as a quantity surveyor and commercial manager for several of the UK’s largest contractors before transitioning into the expert sector where he has worked on his own commissions as well as assisting the appointed expert on both delay and quantum related matters. John has worked on disputes located in the UK, Europe, North & Central America, UAE and the Middle East.
In addition to a BSc (Hons) in Quantity Surveying, John holds an MSc in Construction Law and Dispute Resolution from Kings College, London. This academic qualification has strengthened his practical experience of various forms of contract including JCT, NEC and FIDIC.
- Integral member of a Strategic Intervention team tasked with the settlement of supply chain claims arising on a nuclear power project in the United Kingdom.
- Carried out quantum analysis on a £120 million issue arising out of a contractual price escalation mechanism on the construction of a nuclear power station in United Kingdom.
- Was a key member in a COVID-19 claims task force for a nuclear power station located in the UK. Part of this role was to review the COVID-19 related claims submitted from the supply chain and to assess entitlement and quantum of such claims.
- Integral team member on an expert witness testimony providing an independent cost analysis on the cost variances between 4 story, 6 story or 8 story options for a multi-family housing project in Virginia, USA.
- Drafted response in an adjudication on a cladding interim account position.
- Provided commercial advice to a marine specialist subcontractor on an extension of time and loss & expense claim for a harbor project in Scotland.
- Undertook an audit of $20m Contractors claim on the Central Subway extension project in San Francisco, USA
- Carried out quantum analysis of a $120m claim on a canal expansion project in Central America.
- Dispute resolution work for a top tier main contractor on a university project in the UK, specifically on the drylining, Steel Framing System (SFS) and windows subcontractor packages.
- Commercial director for a specialist “cut and carve” subcontractor; was responsible for review of all contractual matters for the company and served as primary point of contact for dispute resolution on projects where site level disputes could not be resolved.
- Modification of commercial procedures and creation of an integrated document suite for the entire business, including monthly valuations, cost value reconciliation reports, cashflow management sheets and standard form of subcontract.
Education
- Kings College London
MSc Construction Law and Dispute Resolution, 2020 - Limerick Institute of Technology
BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying, 2012 - Galway Mayo Institute of Technology
BSc Construction Economics & Quantity Surveying, 2010
Licenses/Certifications
- Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, MEMBER (MCIArb)
- Advanced Professional Award Expert Witness Evidence (APAEWE)
Languages
English