Chris Marais Appointed to RLB Global Board

Chris Marais joins RLB’s Global Board on April 1 2023, succeeding NSW director Stephen Mee, who steps down after a nine-year contribution to the firm’s global strategic direction.

Marais has been a Queensland director since 2007 and is a member of the Executive Committee. Based in Townsville, he will remain actively involved in the north Queensland region’s projects. He is also chairman of the Global Marketing Committee.

Experience amassed over three decades delivering major projects in South Africa and Australia has taught Marais to recognise quality. His personal expertise includes combining his cost-planning role with the management and administration of major projects and he enjoys an enviable reputation among developers and financiers for minimising their risk.

ESG and digital

Marais said he was delighted to be appointed to the Global Board and to work more closely with the RLB global community—clients, staff, committees and industry partners—to further the firm’s work in environmental social and governance (ESG) and in digital services.

“RLB harnesses the skills, ideas and experience of exceptional people to not only solve our clients’ problems but to also address the challenges facing the communities we serve. ESG and digital technologies are disruptors with unparalleled growth opportunities and RLB continues to expand our leadership development and support processes in response.”

Stephen Mee, who announced his intention to step down from RLB’s Global Board in January, will continue in his position of NSW managing director.

“Chris has the drive, dedication and deep professional expertise to keep RLB leading the way in our industry,” Mee said.

“RLB is focused on more than cost management excellence. We are also seizing the opportunities of globalisation, technology and the green transition to create new value for our clients, our people and our business.

“Chris is a hands-on leader who maintains active involvement in the technicalities of projects while simultaneously making a significant contribution to RLB’s strategic objectives, making him a natural choice for the global board role,” Mee said.

True to passion

Marais paid tribute to Mee’s exceptional dedication and contribution to RLB and the quantity surveying profession. 

“It’s not every day that you meet someone who has over 40 years’ experience in a single profession under his belt—and still loving it.

“Stephen Mee is one person who can confidently claim this, while hands-down staying true to his passion by assisting clients with financial strategy and offering pragmatic solutions to bring development visions into reality.

“It has been a privilege to collaborate with Stephen in his capacity on RLB’s Global Board for the past nine years and I am delighted that the global practice can continue to benefit from his wisdom, leadership and generosity as he continues in the important role of NSW managing director.”

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