Project Manager

Neil Morris

** ********** ****, *********** ***** 7550, Cape Town, South Africa

Telephone +27-21-975-****

(Home):

Cell: +27-76-399-****

Email: *************@*****.***

Skype: neil.morris988

Professional Profile

A dedicated, dynamic and results-driven executive with extensive

international experience and a strong track record of successfully

achieving profitable business growth while remaining committed to

delivering the best possible service to clients. Able to transform

businesses facing numerous financial and operational challenges into

prosperous organizations, using strong business acumen and a highly

entrepreneurial spirit. Adopts a highly analytical approach to solving

complex problems, and possesses excellent planning and organizational

skills. Enjoys leading and managing teams and individuals to maximize

potential, and possesses superb interpersonal, communication and

negotiation skills with the ability to develop and maintain mutually

beneficial internal and external relationships. Quick to grasp new ideas

and concepts, thrives in challenging working environments, and committed to

continuous professional development.

Areas of Expertise

International operations management Process governance and standards

Large scale project management Maintenance & production planning ERP

Production Management Commercial & Financial Management

Materials and Asset Management SLA & Contracts management

Market research and analysis Offshore and onshore project control

Product Development & Expansion Strategy development and execution

Career Summary

Aug 11 - Date MANAGING DIRECTOR

Solethu Energy (Pty) Ltd

. Responsible for planning, directing and coordinating overall operations,

and overseeing day to day successful running of the business

. Transformed company fortunes from a recorded loss upon purchase of R17

million for the financial year-end, ending September 2011

. Led and managed the implementation of a complete turnaround strategy of

the business with effect financial year end December 2012 reflecting a

profit

. Adjusted the financial year end from September to December to assist

with the turnaround strategy, which included the following key elements:

- Aggressive financial cost controls

- Streamlining of current systems and processes

- Aggressive marketing drive to improve client relations and drive

orders

- Implementation of stringent debt collection to improve cash flow

- Appointment of skilled and experienced personnel to core functions

- Implementation of a tailored organisational development model to drive

staff morale and create buy-in and support for the new vision

- Identification of expansion and diversification opportunities to grow

the business

- Introduction of a Learnership Program to develop skills

Key Achievements:

. Increased overall turnover by 151 per cent

. Expanded into renewable energy space - currently involved in developing

projects in South Africa and Africa with a value in excess of R300

million

. Significantly grew footprint to include regional operations in Botswana

and Ghana, focusing on the mining industry and development of electrical

infrastructure

. Promoted to Managing Director in 2013

. Negotiated the management buy-out of the Electrification Division from

the RACEC Group, renamed company as Solethu Energy, and commenced with

rebranding and positioning strategy

. Following successful implementation of the turn-around strategy,

established company as a serious player and major competitor in its

field

Career Summary Continued

Jan 08 - Aug 11 GROUP OPERATIONS MANAGER

RACEC Group (Pty) Ltd

. Responsible for the continual improvement of operational systems

(quality, processes and systems) in support of achieving organizational

goals

. Identifying and implementing effective solutions to complex operational

challenges, and assisting project managers with operational and onsite

solutions throughout the life cycle of the various projects, focusing on

project management of RACEC's large-scale projects in difficult

operating environments

. Troubleshooting and implementing various project goals using expertise

in operational requirements such as customs, bonded stores, material

control, logistics, site establishment and demobilization

. Project managing a R94 million infrastructure project, ensuring the on-

time delivery for both the civil and electrical contractor components

for the duration of this 13-month project

. Heading up the OHTE (Overhead Traction Equipment) division, responsible

for project managing the upgrade and completion of eight railway

stations for South African Rail to achieve the transport goals set for

the 2010 Soccer World Cup

Jan 07 - Jan 08 CONTRACTS MANAGER

RACEC Electrification (Pty) Ltd

. Responsible for the management of the Group's numerous electrical

reticulation projects all worth in excess of R60 million, including

logistics and stores operations management, construction management of

substations, installation and commissioning of switchgear, and all

electrical infrastructure development

Key Achievements:

. Received recognition for effectively managing complex, large-scale

projects and subsequently appointed to head up the newly established

OHTE (Over Head Traction Equipment) division followed by the appointment

as Group Operations Manager

. Substantially increased the overall procurement standards and service

delivery with stores holding up to R80 million worth in cabling and

material using expertise in logistic and operations management

1999 - 2006 VARIOUS POSITIONS

SA Five Engineering (Pty) Ltd

Project Service Manager:

. Seconded by AS Five Engineering to RBG (Pty) Ltd, a multi-national

responsible for the construction and refurbishment of oil and gas

industry rigs, and appointed as the Project Service Manager for the

SEDCO 709 - Transocean, a refurbishment project to the value of US$ 17

million

. Responsible for establishing the site, materials control, procurement,

cost control and full site operations management

. Accountable for the procurement and management of the best local

suppliers and subcontractors for this specific type of project and, as

RGB is based in Scotland, utilising valuable local knowledge and

expertise in managing the services of the various local suppliers

. Assumed full responsibility of the emergency response and rescue

portfolio for the duration of the entire project

Achievements:

. SEDCO 709 project was run under shutdown conditions for a period of 109

days to ensure the successful completion of a viable and safe project

. Managed the procurement of reputable local suppliers and subcontractors

with relevant project experience

. Operations successfully supported high pressure environment

Project Controls Manager:

. Responsible for managing the project budget, cost control, management

reporting, forecasting, progress measurement, change orders and writing

project related procedures

. Managing Cost Control and Contracts Administration for all SA Five

Engineering's large-scale projects

Key Projects:

. The fabrication of 31 sub-sea structures for the oil and gas industry -

SAIPEM key client

. Conversion of a FPSO production plant to the value of US$ 40 million -

for Bluewater

. Cost control of all large SA Five Engineering Projects

Career Summary Continued

Key Achievements:

. Established the first Corporate Cost Control System for the SA Five

Engineering Group

. Reconciled Rebate Facility with SARS Customs division - Secure facility

without penalties

. Reconciled US$ 40 million project with Deloitte and Touche; commercial

settlement and final account

Materials and Asset Manager:

. Reporting directly to the Board, solely responsible for managing all the

materials and assets for the SA Five Engineering Group, spread over a

wide number and diverse nature of sites requiring a high level of

skilled management control

. Overseeing national and international coordination of materials and

asset distribution

. Coordinating the delivery of materials in accordance with fabrication

plan

. Collaborating closely in coordination with each of the project teams

. Maintaining commercial security for clients on all projects

Key Achievements:

. Provided full traceability of material on FPSO project

. Streamlined and oversaw the continuous improvement of the material and

assets department

. Minimized cost impact through effective planning for project delays

On-shore Project Coordinator South Africa

. Reporting directly to the Project Manager and providing support to the

project management team, responsible for managing the offshore FA Gas

Processing Platform, valued at R100 million

. Working closely with both the on and off-shore project management teams

on:

- Aggressive financial cost controls

- Planning and coordinating the effective sequence of modules

- Fabrication of items and material

- Respective delivery to the FA platform

- Crew and shift coordination for 70 members of staff and management

- Coordination of all road, air and sea logistics

Key Achievements:

. Successfully managed the construction sequencing, resources and

logistics for the FA Gas Processing Platform project by avoiding any

delays over a period of eight months

Apr 98 - Nov 98 ACCOUNTANT (TEMP)

Reed Accountancy UK

Jan 95 - Mar 97 PROJECT COORDINATOR

Pioneer Asphalt Ltd (Hong Kong)

Education and Qualifications

1994 3-Year Diploma in Financial Information Systems

Cape Tech, South Africa

Professional Development

> Project Management - Stellenbosch University Business School (3-week

course)

Memberships

> Member of The Institute of Directors

Other Details

I.T. Skills: Proficient in Microsoft Office packages including MS

Projects

Interests Travel, Golf, Scuba Diving, Mountain Biking and Soccer

include:

REFERENCES ARE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST

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