Candidate Report: Project Manager Shortlist
Liz Burnett — Qualified against the role
Liz is a commercially astute candidate with a rare combination of legal, financial and hands-on project delivery experience. Her academic distinction places her in the top 5% of Part 3 graduates for her year, underpinning a sophisticated understanding of commercial know-how
Commercial & Contract Expertise
In her current role, Liz holds direct responsibility for invoicing, financials, and new business development. She rigorously tracks team hours against project scope to protect profitability — a discipline that translates immediately to Project Manager accountability. She has managed complex subconsultancy agreements where her firm carried primary legal responsibility, including the decisive removal of underperforming consultants when necessary.
Risk Management
On a confidential project ("Project X"), Liz simultaneously managed two independent teams across separate site options, each governed by distinct NDAs and contractual frameworks. She demonstrates fluency in the Building Safety Act, having navigated the transition into consultancy when residential projects were delayed by the new regulatory requirements — turning disruption into a strategic pivot.
Max Prav — Detailed Profile
Max brings a high-calibre commercial track record from Heatherwick Studio. His role places him at the intersection of design ambition and financial rigour — a balance that mirrors the demands of a senior Project Manager in a complex studio environment.
Commercial & Contract Expertise
Max holds full accountability for fee performance, studio revenue, and commercial outcomes. He leads fee negotiations, manages commercial positioning, and administers contracts including scope change management and consultant appointments. His experience extends to resolving nuanced fee and tax-related issues in global, cross-jurisdictional contexts — demonstrating adaptability across complex international commercial structures.
Risk Management
Max's core value lies in leveraging delivery experience to foresee commercial and design risks before they materialise. He advises studio leadership on project exposure and mitigation strategies, consistently aiming to retain 80% of original design intent whilst maintaining financial viability. This balance of creative stewardship and commercial discipline is a distinguishing capability.
Fee Calculations
Leads complex fee modelling and negotiations across international projects
Appointment Reviews
Experienced in reviewing and administering consultant appointments end-to-end
Delivery Frameworks
Provides strategic input on project delivery structures and risk exposure
Candidates Spoken To
Further Shortlist — Practicus have completed initial discovery calls with the following
Ilias Spanakis
Background: Senior Design & Development Manager with experience managing projects for a £6.5bn GDV investor. Expertise spans site acquisition due diligence, viability appraisals, and fee negotiations. Proven record of assembling development teams, setting scopes, and managing contractor design teams to Practical Completion. Leads site acquisition risk assessments and has developed BSR (Building Safety Regulator) strategies for complex developments, coordinating with legal directors to ensure contract adherence and built quality.
Seeking a salary of £90,000 plus benefits
Currently going through a redundancy process and is available to start a new role from 1st April 2026
Muyiwa Oki
Background: Former RIBA President who managed a £28m institution and closed an £8m structural deficit. Deep procurement expertise using NEC4, FAC-1, and JCT contracts across portfolios valued at up to £4bn. APM certified with a focus on finance and risk. Led enterprise risk assessments and construction governance for major infrastructure including HS2 and the Government Property Agency's secure estates.
Seeking a salary of £85,000 plus benefit
3 month notice period
N.B Muyiwa is currently on holiday, returning 8th April 2026
Alan Beveridge
Background: Experienced architectural project manager with deep expertise in risk management, contract oversight, and budget control across projects ranging from £500k to £500m, with clients including Lendlease and Oxford University. Holds full P&L ownership and has served as Fire Safety and Contracts Advisor to the RIBA. Consulted for the HSE on the Building Safety Regulator, directly informing the current regulatory framework. Skilled in identifying and mitigating project risk at both design and delivery stages, with a forward-looking approach to regulatory compliance — currently developing AI tools to automate BRPD compliance.
Seeking a salary of £85,000 plus benefits
3 month notice period
Pending
Scheduled & Pending Candidates
The following candidates are scheduled for later this week.