BrazilCCi appoints David Merritt as leader of Middle East and Asia business
Capital Consulting International (CCi) has appointed a new leader for its Middle East business. David Merritt brings 35+ years of experience in the construction and engineering industry to the global consultancy.
Joining CCi from rival Driver Trett, David Merritt leads the firm’s offices in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. In a dual role, based out of Dubai, he also leads CCi’s Asian division, which is served through its office in Singapore.
London-headquartered CCi provides claims advisory, delay, quantum, technical and project management services in the construction sector. The group, which is part of Rimkus Consulting Group (100+ offices worldwide), has around 160 people across offices in Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Asia and Oceania.
A Chartered Quantity Surveyor and Chartered Civil Engineering Surveyor, Merritt specialises in providing commercial consultancy services to the construction industry including pre-contract and post-contract quantity surveying services, claims preparation and evaluation, and dispute resolution services for government entities, private and public employers, contractors, subcontractors and other construction professionals.
His track record includes working on many high-profile projects with values in excess of $5 billion, in segments including buildings, infrastructure, marine, energy & power, and manufacturing.
Merritt has been appointed as a quantum expert witness on many construction disputes, acting for both claimant and respondent. He has given evidence in domestic and international arbitrations, as well as in adjudication, mediation and conciliation.
According to Who’s Who Legal Directory of Expert Witnesses, Merritt is “very highly regarded in the Middle East by global law firms” and “considered a thought leader and one of the most renowned experts in the Middle East”.
After spending his formative years working as a site-based quantity surveyor on construction and engineering projects in the United Kingdom and later, East Africa, around ten years ago he relocated to the Middle East to lead Hill International’s business in the region. He then was one of the founding partners of HKA when the firm spinned off as an independent business and led its Middle East & Asia division.
After holding the same role at Driver Trett, Merritt now assumes the top regional role at Capital Consulting International. “We are delighted that David is joining our team. He will help us grow our quantum, delay and technical and engineering services to the construction, engineering and insurance markets throughout the region.”
“I am extremely excited to join Capital Consulting International and look forward to working closely with the ambitious and progressive leadership team to help expand and enhance the firm’s already leading position in its core markets around the world, and more importantly, continue to deliver world class solutions for our clients.”
The high-profile appointment comes at a time of rapid growth for Capital Consulting International in the Middle East. In the past quarter alone, the firm welcomed 20 new hires across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Saudi Arabia.
