Rider Levett Bucknall wins first major African contract

Rider Levett Bucknall has won its first major contract in Africa, three months after entering the market, by sealing an alliance with South African firm Pentad Quantity Surveyors.

The alliance partners have won the role of quantity surveyor on a £160m head office for South African energy firm Sasol, in the Sandton area of Johannesburg.

RLB signed an alliance agreement with 50-strong Pentad in April and the firms have begun teaming up on cost consultancy bids throughout Africa.

The 150,000m2 Sasol project will have 10 floors and nine basement levels. It is being developed by Alchemy Properties and designed by Paragon Architects.

Lance Taylor, chief executive of RLB UK, said: “This is a truly significant win for the new alliance. 

“We know that the South African market is tough but it is thriving as this first project bears testament to.”

Sasol is an international energy and chemical company that employs more than 34,000 people in 38 countries. It is listed on the Johannesburg and New York Stock Exchanges.

The head office will bring together various Sasol business units that are currently separately located under one roof.

Frans de Jager, director and co-founder of Pentad, said:“The Sasol scheme is a highly prestigious project situated in the heart of Sandton, known as the richest square mile in Africa, and we are proud to be part of such an iconic development.

“This is one of the first projects we have secured under the new alliance agreement with Rider Levett Bucknall. 

“This new alliance demonstrates the strength of the enhanced knowledge, expertise and resource that our two organisations can deliver to the marketplace.