This page gives some of the Curriculum Vitae information on Giuseppe Filotto. Scroll down to find the heading for whatever section interests you.
Personal Details
Contact: Please email your requirements to info@filotto.org to get in touch
Nationality: Italian and South African
Languages: English & Italian (Native level)
Portuguese (Good)
French & Spanish (Working Knowledge and reading documents)
Russian (Some)
Working Status: Settled Status UK, EU and SA Citizen, partner in a firm in Kazakhstan
Overview
Having worked in the construction industry as a freelancer for some 35 years in various countries around the world, and for 17 years in the UK, with a certain level of success, since 2021 I have changed my working style. After purchase and setting up of a truffle and olive farm in Italy, I now consult on project specific issues, mostly in construction, for various clients as required.
Skills and Core Competencies
I have worked at the highest levels of the construction industry, managing several sites at a time, or major works, always as a freelancer with an excellent performance record. I was often taken on at critical points of a project to resolve difficult issues. My work has also required client facing situations of the highest order, having dealt with government ministers and officials of various countries, high-ranking military personnel of the US Navy, and having worked on projects with VIP clients (several with NDAs). As a result, in addition to all the normal competencies of any professional Project Manager or Quantity Surveyor, it is worth noting some more synergistic skills:
- Managing multiple projects both alone and with additional Site Managers and QS personnel to oversee.
- Familiarity with a variety of legal systems, working styles, and contract types, having worked in UK, Italy, Kazakhstan, Botswana and South Africa and interfaced with various forms of contract types in each country or region, including JCT, NEC, EU Standards as well as US Government Federal Acquisition Regulations for the US Navy. I am also familiar with the cultural differences of various countries and companies I worked with, ranging through Italian, French, Russian, Kazak, Southern African, American, Omani, and British firms and people.
- I have had to perform both discrete and detailed forensic accounting investigations for various firms, and while this was always helpful overtly for any claims or recuperations (which I have a lot of experience in, with outstanding results) it also related to fraud prevention and protection for my clients, as well as, in turn, for their clients.
- Experience in dealing very successfully with high level VIP clients and unforgiving contract terms (Time/LAD concerns, etc.)
- I have excellent contacts throughout the Italian peninsula for services ranging from architectural and structural drawing production, to supply of bespoke materials, from prestigious marble suppliers to hand-crafted bespoke elements for VIP clients.
Performance
Over the last 20 years, I have managed projects totalling well-over £400 million, and in almost every instance I have achieved results that were well above the initial targets set by the client. References and details of course can be provided if required. A general list with some details is shown below an appendix for convenience.
Work Experience
You can get a summary list of the firms and brief description of the work I did at my linkedin profile here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gfilotto/details/experience
A more detailed summary follows below if required.
Notable Projects
A more detailed list follows, however, these are some of the more prestigious I was involved with:
- Apple HQ in Battersea Power Station Development to stage F, London, UK (Mace Ltd)
- The Shard, London, UK (John Sisk and Sons Ltd)
- Talan Towers, Astana, Kazakhstan (Interium S.r.l.)
- Private Residence for VIP (NDA agreement in place), UK (Bouygues)
- Private Residence for Lord Bagri, London, UK (L’Europeeanne de Marbre)
- Embassy Gardens Apartments (Interium S.r.l.)
February 2021 to current (August 2024) – Sabbatical and Freelance Consulting
See overview above. I also kept consulting both remotely and in person with my partner in Kazakhstan, and attended the International Architectural International Convention in Astana, (ARCHICA) in October 2023, which my business partner organises yearly, to network with major players in the construction and consulting industry, as well as government projects. I was also once again invited to submit a design for a Memorial Complex Monument in Astana that will be emblematic of the entire history of Kazakhstan. My participation is in collaboration with m’S Architecture, an Italian architectural firm owned by the architect Marco Scarpa, with whom I already collaborated previously in 2017 on the more formal and closed competition for the same design.
I have consulted for smaller clients and firms in the UK on an ad hoc basis as well. And references for this can be provided on request.
Harrington Builders Plc UK – Various Projects – January 2019 to January 2021
Company: Harrington Builders Ltd
Achievements: Managed all commercial aspects of various projects including the new Wimbledon Stadium (between 4 and 6 projects at any given time) creating a demonstrated profit margin in excess of the expected one for 2 years in a row (on one project this was over 30%, but overall margins on all projects were also above target). Details and references can be provided on request.
Mace Ltd UK – Highpoint New Build (Claims) (NDA) and Apple HQ Battersea Power Station (NDA) – June 2017 to September 2018
Company: Mace Ltd.
Achievements: Originally my services were required for two large claims on the Highpoint project, which is a landmark London building at Elephant and Castle. On successful completion of these in November 2017, Mace requested my services in bringing the variations and optimisations required to integrate the Apple HQ offices into the existing Battersea Power Station Redevelopment Project (Phase 2). This was a role that required a direct and delicate relationship with both the client (Battersea Power Station Development Corporation), Foster and Partners (Architects) and Apple Personnel as well as all their related representatives. The task was to bring the required integrations of various trades in line to stage F completion design with the approval of all parties involved. I was solely responsible for all commercial aspects of this as well as managing the quantity surveyors who were assigned to each of the trades involved as part of their duties. The level of responsibility was of the highest level as penalties for any delays incurred would have been in the hundreds of thousands of pounds per day as they were £7 per second. The project is one of the largest in Europe and I can of course provide references for my work, on request. This task ended in July 2018 well ahead of schedule. Mace being pleased with my work nevertheless kept me on other collateral issues for several months even if this was not strictly required by them, after which I then took some months off to see my father and brother who live in Southern Africa.
Filotto Ltd Kazakhstan – Various Consultation roles for various projects – Khorgos development December 2016 to May 2017
Company: Filotto.org, my own consultancy in partnership with a Kazakhstani national.
Achievements: Having made good contacts in Astana (Kazakhstan) I was invited to take part in a closed design competition (invitation only) for an Astana Memorial Complex design in which, Norman Foster who won, also took part. I presented our design in partnership with Nest S.r.l a firm that was created only for this competition, and which saw us achieve third place. My ongoing relationship with Kazakhstan and Astana continues with my role being mostly one of providing contacts of Italian design to my Kazakhstani partners, or potential project management for any projects that may be make use of my services. Any European firm either wanting to have a presence in Astana, or already present there, would also be well served by using my services as a go-between due the high level of useful contacts I have there.
Service & Trade Ltd UK/Italy/Kazakhstan – Hotel New Build (Interiors) $43 Million – October 2015 to November 2016
Company: S&T Ltd UK and Interium Ltd
Achievements: I was hired as the Commercial and Financial Manager to oversee the Joint Venture partnership between S&T and Interior Plus S.r.l. (Italy) known as Interium S.r.l, for a $43 Million project in Kazakhstan concerning Talan Towers. I also overviewed various International contracts for the joint venture in New York (USA) and UK as well as day-to-day problem solving and financial management on the UK projects that included Embassy Garden apartments and Nova Victoria offices refurbishment. Further details can be provided on request as this was a complex role.
Brookfield Multiplex UK – Commercial New Build – Approx. £20 Million – June 2014 to June 2015
Company: Brookfield Multiplex Construction Europe
Achievements: I was hired as the Commercial Manager in a 2-stage bid that required a 70% price fix 2 weeks after my first day. This was achieved and the project won as a result. During the year I worked on this project, the profit margin for it was doubled from the initial target it had started with before my arrival. This was due solely to my own efforts as I was the only commercial person on this project.
Bouygues UK – Private residence – Phase 3 fit-out – Approx. £15 Million – January 2014 to June 2014
Company: Bouygues UK
Achievements: The client of the private residence in question has privacy agreements in place with Bouygues-UK and its employees which can (and have) resulted in fines for Bouygues-UK should information pertaining to the project leak to the press or other public outlets, as a result, I am happy to discuss certain details only in person. I completed the tasks I was originally hired for and then decided to move on to other work.
John Sisk – The Shard – Shangri-La Hotels – Approx. £ 49 Million – March 2013 – Dec 2013
Company: John Sisk and Sons Ltd.
Achievements: The Shard project and Sisk ended their working relationship, in September 2013. I was involved in valuing the works to that point of the project as well as later so as to present the relevant information for the upcoming court case. The matter however was settled out of court with the Shard. All subcontractors on the project were paid in full by Sisk with no legal repercussions falling on any of them or any dispute from them being made against Sisk. Sisk would have preferred to retain my services but at that point in time did not have enough work to do so.
John Sisk – Ampersand Hotel (ex- Grosvenor Hotel in South Kensington) – Approx. £ 10.5 Million – February 2012 – March 2013
Company: John Sisk and Sons Ltd.
Achievements: Refurbishing a 111 room prestigious boutique hotel in South Kensington. I was brought in to help the incumbent QS on site to ensure that the measurements of all works on site were firstly accurate, and secondly, correctly valued, as the original contract works had more than doubled in size in a very short time and without enough detail provided by the client team to be able to make accurate pricing decisions at short notice. The project was completed on time and successfully.
Citi Group Towers, Canary Wharf, London (UK) – £ 1.3 Million [Sep 2011 – Feb 2012]
Company: City Sq – Specialises in fast-track prestigious refurbishments and fit-outs.
Achievements: This was an extremely competitively priced tender due to the nature of the client and the wish of my employer to retain the client long term. I achieved a profit margin that was more than double the original expectations. Details, complete with references can be provided.
Sabbatical [Dec 2009- Aug 2011]
In December 2009, after working without interruption for a number of years I decided to take an 18-month sabbatical. During this time I wrote Systema: The Russian Martial System – a manual for martial artists, that achieved number 36 in its category after one month on Amazon.com. Having fulfilled this ambition, as well as travelled extensively, and generally enjoying a break, I was then ready to return to the construction industry.
Lord Bagri Private Residence, Hanover Lodge, London (UK) – £ 5 Million – Aug 2008 – Nov 2009
Company: L’Europeenne de Marbre (EDM) – a French company with a branch in London and international sites throughout the world, from New York to Moscow, specialising in extremely high-quality marble finishes. Website: http://www.edm-paris.com/
Achievements: Originally tasked with receiving compensation of £300,000 from the main contractor for various delayed and altered parts of the contract as well as various claims. The final outcome was in excess of £1 million paid, solely as a result of the strategy I put in place, without the need for arbitration or court settlements.
Grosvenor House Hotel Park Lane, London (UK) – £ 48 Million – Sep 2006 – Aug 2008
Company: Beck Interiors – Specialising in very high quality refurbishments, and responsible for several prestigious refits in London such as the Apple Store in Regent Street, The Intercontinental, The Grosvenor House and the Four Seasons Hotels in Park Lane. Website: http://www.beckinteriors.com/
Achievements: Managing a small QS team over 2 years, enabled a contract that was only 40% complete and making a loss on my arrival, to finish on time and with a profit. Reduced costs from various packages as a result of ensuring accurate on-site measurements were in place. Liaised with sub-contractors to ensure workmanship was to the required standard. Did forensic analysis of accounts to ensure best way forward was based on real as opposed to theoretical data.
Responsibilities: Due to its difficulties, the project had seen the three previous Senior Quantity Surveyors come and go in less than a year and a half, and the financial position at my arrival was far from ideal. As of my posting though, we retained all the QS staff I was initially provided with through to project completion and achieved a financial turn-around for the project.
Inter Continental Hotel Park Lane, London (UK) – £ 20 Million – Oct 2005 – Sep 2006
Company: Beck Interiors (see above)
Achievements: The original project value was just under £15 Million but as a result of various changes and variations, which I was exclusively tasked with pricing and submitting, along with all valuations, the final contract value was concluded at £20 Million.
Responsibilities: As the only project QS for over 95% of the project duration, I was responsible for all QS duties.
NE London Road Networks Maintenance, London (UK) – £48 Million – May 2004 – Oct 2005
Company: Fitzpatrick Contractors (Now Volker-Fitzpatrick), a leading multi-disciplinary civil engineering contractor with long experience in roadworks. Website: http://www.volkerfitzpatrick.co.uk/
Achievements: Reduced disputed work orders from 400 a week to 20 a week within 3 months of my managing the other 6 QS staff. Saved over £200,000 on operational costs over a period of 6 months through basic implementation of sound financial practices. Increased the efficiency and response time of work order completion by several degrees of magnitude.
Responsibilities: Managing 6 other QS staff, reporting to the directors, providing alternative work methodologies and check and balances, liaising with my counterpart in Transport for London, reviewing all financial information for forecasting purposes.
Aviano U.S. Air Force Base, Aviano (Italy) – € 30 Million – Nov 2003 – Mar 2004
I was employed via Bilfinger Berger SE as the Project Head Quantity Surveyor for a NATO project at the US Air Force Base at Aviano, Italy. The project was composed of two separate contracts worth some € 30 million in total. The nature of the project remains sensitive and some details can be best discussed only in person.
UK, Various Projects, Ground Construction Ltd – Tot. value ~ £10 Million – May 2003 – Nov 2003
Recently arrived in the UK I took a position as site manager of various sites being worked on in SE London by Ground Construction, these involved the construction of 3 separate estate housing blocks of flats, (Hackney, Nunhead and Peckham) and the construction of an RC and steel frame factory. As I had managed sites before in Africa this was an easy way for me to start in the construction industry. After a few months however I was headhunted for my QS skills by an agency I had previously placed my CV with and I moved back to more managerial and purely QS roles.
Prior To 2003 – Various Projects (Southern Africa)
Prior to moving to the UK I was involved in a number of projects, mostly in Botswana as a result of my eventually becoming employed full time by the firm I originally did my in-service training for my Civil Engineering studies with, Ragno Construction Pty Ltd (now wound down by the owner who retired in 2005).
My capacity then was a mixture of Site Manager, Project Manager and Financial Controller for the projects, as the management structure in Africa has to be much more varied, flexible and practical than has generally been my experience in Europe. In hindsight, this broad mixture of skills and experience has undoubtedly served me well ever since. Although at the end of my time there I was managing as many as 7 sites, some of the most prestigious works I was involved in where:
- Ministerial High Cost Residence for a member of the Botswana Parliament – ± 7 Million Pula.
- Radio-Link Towers for Botswana’s Telecommunications System – ± 15 Million Pula.
- Refurbishing of Standard Chartered Bank’s Main Branches in the Capital Gaborone – ± 4 Million Pula.
2000 – Restructuring of Vigilantes Security for Acquisition by G4S Group (Botswana)
In 2000, my father had the largest private security company in Botswana but his work load was such he felt he wanted to leave the business. I spent a period of 6 months restructuring his company in preparation for sale to G4S which was eventually done for 9 Million Pula. The re-allocation of financial resources into more advantageous financial products also allowed a passive income that was higher than his usual salary too, and my implementing a computerized system of guard allocation reduced costs and streamlined the payment of wages.
1996 – 2000 Close Protection Services (Cape Town – South Africa)
Between 1996 and 2000 I taught karate and worked in armed close protection services in Cape Town, South Africa. Some high profile clients included a function with Desmond Tutu, members of the Getty Family, and various wealthy and/or famous individuals from various countries as well as locally based ones. Our team was also involved in working closely with the South African Police Services and we either materially helped or actually physically apprehended various violent offenders, blackmailers, and drug-peddlers. We also conducted surveillance operations relating to violent offences and produced ready-made case dockets on the basis of such surveillance to help the police achieve convictions.
1993 – 1996 Sohei Computers
Together with a friend from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, where I studied, I briefly owned and ran a small firm supplying computer hardware to universities and private individuals whilst still studying, in order to help pay for my tuition.
Education
1990-1994: Diploma in Civil Engineering – University of the Western Cape (Cape Town, South Africa)
1987-1989: A-Levels – Stratford-Upon-Avon High School and College (UK)
1982-1986: O-Levels – Maru-a-Pula Secondary School (Gaborone, Botswana)
Primary School – Various in Nigeria, Italy, and Botswana.
References
Further contact details, as well as any additional references required, including direct line phone numbers to previous employers, can be provided on request.