About me
A World Bank consultant with over forty years' experience as a civil engineer in both public and private sectors. Founding CEO (now retired) of the South African National Roads Agency Ltd. (SANRAL) and a globally recognized leader in PPPs, change management, and the development of SMMEs. Best known as an international advisor on transport systems and institutional reform, contract models, as well as on economic infrastructure policy, and the development of rural roads.
In addition to transforming a government department into a corporatized national roads agency, some significant achievements include multi-billion ZAR infrastructure projects such as cross-border toll roads and binational water supply projects. Lead the build-up of the national road network from 7 000km at SANRAL's establishment in 1998 to
22 100km at the time of retirement with an asset value of ZAR356 billion (USD 35.6 billion @ave.ex rate ZAR: USD = 10:1). Had the pleasure of working alongside 307 dedicated, talented colleagues. Also, inter alia, oversaw the development of the national secondary bond market for toll roads and interoperable, multi-lane free-flow (open road), electronic toll collection system.
A chartered civil engineer, with postgraduate qualifications and recipient of various awards.
Responsible for establishing dedicated Chairs at various universities in South Africa.
Elected President of PIARC in January 2022. First delegate and Council member of PIARC: 1995 - 2016; ExCom. member of PIARC: 1999-2008; President of the Association of Southern African National Roads Agencies (ASANRA): 2005 - 2009; Chairman of the Africa Community Access Programme (AfCAP - funded by the British Govt.): 2019 -2020. Commitment to PIARC remains absolute as an active Council Member culminating in being a keynote speaker at the 26th Congress in Abu Dhabi.
Organizer of the 22nd World Road Congress in Durban, South Africa, in 2003. Instrumental in establishing Spanish as the 3rd official language of PIARC which was used for the first time in Durban.
Published peer-reviewed papers and presented internationally on related topics.