At the beginning of April, Rund proudly shared the promotions of several Senior Surveyors and Clerks of Works to Associates. These individuals have been recognised for their outstanding skills and dedication within their disciplines. Newly promoted, they are set to become key decision-makers who will shape the future of their fields, our company, and the wider construction industry.
Below, we take a closer look at our newly appointed Associates, focusing on their career journeys so far, the achievements that have led them to this point, and the key areas they will focus on to help drive Rund’s continued growth and success.
Jo Rothery – promoted from Senior Surveyor to Associate
Jo has over 10 years of experience in the construction industry, providing Joint Venture Supervision, Employer’s Agent, Quantity Surveying, and Project Management services across a variety of sectors. She began her career at Rund in 2019 as a Surveyor, progressing to Senior Surveyor and now Associate, reflecting her dedication and expertise in the field.
Jo works within the residential and commercial sectors across various development models. She achieved membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in 2024, a milestone supported by Rund’s commitment to her professional development.
Jo is also involved in Rund's internal teams, including Women in Rund, the Graduate Programme, and the APC team, where she actively contributes to bringing new talent into the business and helping upskill her colleagues. Her involvement in these initiatives demonstrates her passion for nurturing growth and development within the industry.
Tyler van Niekerk – promoted from Senior Surveyor to Associate
Tyler has 5 years of experience in the construction industry and provides Project Management, Employer’s Agent, and Monitoring Surveyor services, offering clients comprehensive support across the various stages of the project lifecycle.
Holding a BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering, Tyler began his career as an Assistant in project management services, quickly excelling in his role and leading him to join Rund as a Senior Surveyor.
His ability to navigate diverse clients and align with strategic objectives led to his promotion to Associate, expanding his responsibilities to include team leadership, business development, and client management.
Currently, his focus lies in nurturing the professional growth of junior surveying teams, ensuring they develop the skills and confidence to excel in their careers.
Rob Neilson – promoted from Senior Clerk of Works to Associate
Rob has over 20 years of experience in the construction industry, with expertise including timber frame construction, fire stopping, fire doors, and External Wall System Fire Review. A Fellow of the Institute of Clerk of Works and Construction Inspectorate (FICWCI), Rob holds both a Fire Stopping Inspection Diploma and AssocRICS status. His extensive expertise spans a variety of projects, including new build, conversion, and refurbishment, on which he consistently demonstrates a keen eye for detail and a proactive approach to site inspections.
As an Associate, Rob leverages his technical expertise in fire safety and construction standards to ensure that projects are completed to the highest levels of safety and quality.
Having joined Rund in 2004, Rob has contributed significantly to the success of a variety of projects, and his ability to manage complex site inspections underlines his importance to the team.
Neil Kaplan – promoted from Senior Surveyor to Associate
Neil has over 20 years of experience in the construction industry providing Project Management, Contract Administration, and Quantity Surveying services. He boasts a diverse career with global experience, having previously run his own consultancy in Africa, where he serviced mixed commercial projects. At Rund, Neil lends his invaluable expertise to projects spanning the South of England, from affordable housing developments to large-scale regeneration schemes.
A RICS Certified Leader, Neil excels at resolving complex issues, supervising project finances, preparing tender and contract documents, and fulfilling the needs of clients, while ensuring legal and quality standards. As such, he has become an invaluable member of project teams, leading to his promotion to Associate.
Neil’s technical expertise and strong experience positions him as a knowledgeable leader who can adapt to diverse clients and projects, as evidenced by his chartership with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Throughout his career, Neil has gained expertise through a wealth of projects including new builds, fit-outs, and refurbishments.
Aqib Zahir – promoted from Senior Surveyor to Associate
Aqib has 6 years of experience in the construction industry, providing Employer’s Agent, Project Management, and Technical Due Diligence services to clients. His primary focus is in the residential and commercial sectors, with extensive experience in the construction of low-rise housing, high-rise developments, high-risk projects, built-to-rent schemes, and commercial office space.
Aqib works closely with institutional investors, government entities, and housing associations, ensuring that projects are delivered to the highest standards. His experience on complex sites has enabled him to excel in project planning and control, risk management, stakeholder and contract management, and dispute resolution.
Aqib joined Rund in April 2024 and became chartered with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in the same year. He is now involved in developing the Birmingham team and supporting colleagues on their journey to RICS chartership.
Ian Pugh – promoted from Senior Clerk of Works to Associate
Ian has over 25 years of experience in the construction industry, specialising in Clerk of Works services across a range of sectors. His expertise spans projects including refurbishments, new builds, and fit-outs, where he focuses on ensuring compliance with Building Regulations and raising quality standards.
Ian works on a variety of residential projects, including affordable housing, rented, and shared ownership homes. He is skilled at managing relationships with clients, builders, and site teams to ensure projects are completed to the highest standards.
Ian's extensive career also includes previous roles as a Senior Building Inspector at a warranty and insurance provider for new homes, where he gained experience in both low-rise and high-rise developments. He is dedicated to supporting the professional development of junior team members and continues to build his own expertise through ongoing learning and certifications.
Congratulations to Jo, Tyler, Rob, Neil, Aqib, and Ian on your promotions – we look forward to supporting you all in the next stage of your careers.