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CONTENTS:
CURRICULUM VITAE SUMMARY OF PROJECTS CLIENT LIST PROJECTS BY BUILDING TYPE
Khuan Chew Associates, International
(SEPTEMBER 2006 to DECEMBER 2020), SENIOR ASSOCIATE, PROJECT MANAGER, ARCHITECT AND OPERATIONS MANAGER FOR DUBAI OFFICE
Graham was employed at KCA International from 3 September 2006 (14+ Years ago) until 9 November 2020.
It is with great regret that Graham volunteered to leave the company with 3 months notice, after such a long and successful tenure, but does so for family reasons to be close to his parents and to enable his teenage son the opportunity to attend the remaining years of his education back in Aberdeen, Scotland.
Graham is a qualified Chartered Architect in the UK (RIBA Membership No. 06027677 and ARB No. 053637 G) where his last position at KCA was as a Senior Associate, Architect, Project Manager & Operations Manager for the Dubai Office in UAE for 45+ staff.
I have known Graham, professionally since being employed at KCA in February 2015 and I can vouch for his honesty, dedication to his staff and employer and professional integrity.
I have no hesitation to recommend Graham for any position he may be wanting to pursue. Please do not hesitate to contact me for further information/references.
Yours sincerely,
Amanda Barrett; Associate, KCA
Email: amanda.barrett@kca-int.com
The Fortress Resorts PLC
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
PT Permadani
Khatulistiwa
David Curl, Executive Director
of
Charlemagne Capital, 24th May 2002
CURRICULUM
VITAE SUMMARY
OF PROJECTS CLIENT
LIST
PROJECTS
BY BUILDING TYPE This page has been updated
17/06/2021
(MAY 2005 - JUNE 2006), PROJECT MANAGER FOR THE
FORTRESS HOTEL, GALLE, KOGGALA, SRI LANKA.
Graham Benton was employed by the Owners: La Forteresse (PVT) Ltd (a consortium including Vallibel Holdings and Forbes and Walker) as the Project Manager
for a new build hotel project called The Fortress Hotel in Koggala, Sri Lanka from May 2005 - June 2006.
Graham was employed on the project
after it had already commenced for some time where problems were compounded by the Tsunamis that affected this part of the world and the
project site on January 8th, 2005.
Graham's skills on The Fortress Project are best described as follows:
I have no hesitation in recommending Graham to any prospective Employer or Client /Owner as an experienced, dedicated Architect/Project Manager who can be relied upon to complete any job he is given in a dedicated, reliable and professional manner.
Please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned for any further information.
Yours faithfully,
Nimal Perera, Managing Director, The Fortress Resorts PLC, date: 28th October, 2010.
(JULY 2002 - AUGUST 2004), PROJECT MANAGER FOR THE
FLOOD RECOVERY PROJECT OF THE REGENT HOTEL, JAKARTA, INDONESIA INCL.
REBRANDING TO A FOUR SEASONS HOTEL.
Graham worked at the Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta from July 2002 - August 2004 in the capacity of Project Director
and was responsible for the restoration and renovation of the hotel resulting from a serious flood in the city.
In his time on the project Graham continuously demonstrated his professionalism and years of experience
in his management of the complex tasks at hand and the various stakeholders including the hotel owners, hotel
management company, insurance companies and multitude of project consultants.
His calm and tempered personality coupled with his resolute focus on the job at hand ensured a productive
environment and allowed him to make progress in a difficult country and very complicated set of circumstances.
Graham is organised, understands the impotrtance of schedules, is numerate and budget driven and understands
how to coordinate a job of this nature.
I would welcome the opportunity to work with Graham again and am happy to answer any potential employers questions.
Neil Jacobs, Senior Vice-President Operations Asia Pacific, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. 13th October 2010
E-mail: njacobs@starwood.com
(JULY 2002 - AUGUST 2004), PROJECT MANAGER FOR THE
FLOOD RECOVERY PROJECT OF THE REGENT HOTEL, JAKARTA, INDONESIA INCL.
REBRANDING TO A FOUR SEASONS HOTEL.
This is to confirm that Mr Graham Benton has been employed by PT
Permadani Khatulistiwa Nusantara (PKN), the owning company of the Four
Seasons Hotel Jakarta (previously the Regent Hotel Jakarta), for the
period starting 3 July 2002 to 2 August 2004.
Mr Benton's position was Project Manager in the Regent Hotel (now Four
Seasons Hotel) Jakarta Recovery Project. Mr Benton reported directly to
us and he was responsible for managing the Project up to completion.
During his employment, Mr Benton has demonstrated his exceptional
ability to manage the Project within its strict time and financial
constraints, and accordingly we are truly satisfied with the result of
his work.
We thank Mr benton for his support to PKN and his outstanding work on
the Project, and we wish him the best in his future endeavors.
Yours sincerely,
Dam Ginting Suka, President Director, PT Permadani Khatulistiwa Nusantara, 10th
August 2004
E-mail: dgs@kodel.co.id
Charlemagne
Capital
(DEC 1998 – JUNE 2002), DIRECTOR
of REGENT EUROPEAN PROPERTY and PROJECT MANAGER FOR THE TZUM BUILDING,
SOFIA, BULGARIA.
Graham, Sorry I haven't had a
chance
to see you prior to your departure. I just wanted to thank you
for
the fantastic job done on Tsum. You arrived at a difficult time
(behind
time, over budget) and threw yourself into the project in a very
professional
manner. I know we wouldn't have opened up when we did without the
professionalism you displayed during the refurbishment program.
You
did a great job both for Tsum the company as well as the investors in
our
funds which own Tsum. I truly do hope we have the opportunity to work
together
again in the future as I would have a high degree of confidence in the
successful execution of any project work. Good luck in the future and I
would love to hear what challenge you take on next.
E-mail: David.Curl@charlemagnecapital.com
iRegent Group
(DEC 1998 – JUNE 2002), DIRECTOR
of REGENT EUROPEAN PROPERTY and PROJECT MANAGER FOR THE TZUM BUILDING,
SOFIA, BULGARIA.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN. iRegent
Group Limited (the “Company” or “Client”) is a fund management group
specialising
in the emerging markets before it spun off its Eastern European
division
to management and other shareholders in June 2000. The Company,
including
funds that it manages purchased from the Bulgarian government, via a
privatisation
scheme, a large 40,000 square metre department store called the Tzum
Building,
which was built in Sofia, Bulgaria in 1956.
The Company appointed D G Jones
as Project Managers in mid-1998 for the refurbishment of the Tzum
Building.
Graham Benton was subsequently recommended by D G Jones for the
position
of Project Manager and duly appointed in December 1998.
Any kind of project development
in Eastern Europe can be a very difficult, intimidating and challenging
process to manage and control and the Tzum project was certainly no
exception.
I can confirm that during this time Graham took up this challenge and
carried
out his Project Management duties and responsibilities on this
difficult
project in an extremely competent and professional manner. Graham is a
very hard working, loyal and dedicated person who believes if a job is
worth doing it’s worth doing right. This is particularly important for
us as the Client considering the level of investment made in the Tzum
Building
(approximately US$25 million). Graham is very comfortable with working
overseas and is very adept at problem solving to achieve a positive
result
for the Client no matter how difficult a task may be or indifferent the
various parties are to solving the problem. I have found that Graham
exhibits
great integrity and honesty and consequently can be trusted implicitly
to represent and protect the interests of the Client concerning
financial
aspects and control of a project. Graham is well liked and respected by
his staff and colleagues and is able to get the best performance from
people,
and contractors alike, by fostering a team spirit that is based on
mutual
respect.
It was these same characteristics
and skills that helped the Company develop a new company known as
Regent
European Property Ltd. The original contract for Project Management
services
at Tzum between the Company and DG Jones came to an end in August 1999
and the Project Management role was subsequently taken over by Regent
European
Property Ltd to which Graham was appointed a Director in September
1999.
The aim of this new company was to complete the refurbishment of the
Tzum
building including the leasing and building management services whilst
also developing a company that could handle the different tasks and
problems
of a project development from inception to completion.
With the completion of all
construction
works at the Tzum Building including the successful letting of 97% of
the
building Graham’s role and obligations for the Tzum project have been
completed
to an exacting standard. It is only because the Company is now
concentrating
on other investment areas that are not property related that Graham and
his team are now leaving the company. I have no hesitation in
recommending
Graham to any employer as a project manager and/or architect.
If you require further information
please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours truly,
Jamie Gibson; Chief Executive
Officer;
iRegent Group Limited; 29th May 2002
E-mail: jamieg@iregentgroup.com
(JAN 1998
–
FEB 1998),
SITE MANAGER at 'CANYON RANCH HEALTH SPA RESORT' for Chesham
Project Management, Bali, Indonesia.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN. This is
to confirm that Graham Benton was employed by Chesham Project
Management
as a Site Manager on the Canyon Ranch Bali Project from 26th January
1998
to 31st January 1998. Graham's short tenure was due to the Owner's
decision
to suddenly postpone the project on 31st January 1998 due to the
economic
crisis which engulfed the property industry in South East Asia in early
1998. Graham was known to Chesham from his efforts at the Nusa Dua
Beach
Hotel Upgrade when he was employed by the Project Architect's - Peddle
Thorp. His ability, work ethics and dedication were of such a high
standard
that Chesham had no hesitation in employing Graham on the Quality
Control
of the construction.
Denpasar, 18th February 1998. Darren
Staunton, Director of Chesham Project Management.
E-mail:
chesham@indosat.net.id
(MARCH
1995
– DEC 1997), SENIOR SITE ARCHITECT at NIRWANA
BALI
RESORT for Atelier 6 Architects, Jakarta, Indonesia.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN. Graham
Benton
was engaged by Atelier 6 to act as Senior Supervising Architect based
on
site for the construction of the 5 star Le Meridien Hotel and the
Thalassotherapy
Marine Spa. At all times Graham showed a dedication to the Project well
above the norm. Through his untiring efforts and motivation of his team
he managed the Design, Documentation and Administration of the
Architectural
and lately the Interior Works in a most satisfactory manner.
Furthermore
his experience in similar Projects was of enormous benefit to the
design,
construction and Administrative Team. We look forward to the
opportunity
of working with Graham in the future.
Yours faithfully, Peter
Richter,
Managing Director of DG Jones & Partners, 23 February 1998.
E-mail:
bali@dgjones.com
(MARCH
1995
– DEC 1997), SENIOR SITE ARCHITECT at NIRWANA
BALI
RESORT for Atelier 6 Architects, Jakarta, Indonesia.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN. During
approximately
2 years, Mr Graham Benton worked on Le Meridien Nirwana Bali, a 280
room
hotel, which opened on September 1997. He was in charge of all aspects
related to Architecture and Design during the construction period. He
did
a fantastic job on site. He had especially to make important decisions,
having in his hands concept plans only. His relations with us,
consultants
and contractors were excellent. That will be a pleasure to work again
with
Graham, if we have an opportunity. I have no hesitation in recommending
him.
Pierre Mallol, Vice President Technical Services Asia Pacific
for
Forte and Le Meridien Hotels and Resorts. 20th February 1998. Work
tel: +852 2732 1232. Work fax: +852 2732 1204
E -mail: pierre.mallol@lemeridien.com
(MARCH
1995
– DEC 1997), SENIOR SITE ARCHITECT at NIRWANA
BALI
RESORT for Atelier 6 Architects, Jakarta, Indonesia.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN. Atelier
Enam, as Architect of Record for the Integrated Resort of the Bali
Nirwana
Project was represented by Graham Benton on site (during construction
phase)
from March 1995 - December 1997. During this time he has shown
himself
a hard worker, honest and reliable and worked well with all the members
of the International Team. He has handled his responsibilities of our
office
with dedication and professional integrity and we find that his
capabilities
extend beyond his brief as Senior Site Architect. In solving various
co-ordination
and design issues he was quite open to suggestions involving local
construction
practices and willing to share his knowledge with other Consultants.
Based
on his performance we highly recommend Graham Benton as a reliable and
committed professional (Senior Site Architect) and we feel that his
experience
will be valuable to future clients. We wish him every success in the
future.
Ir.
N. Siddhartha, IAI, President of Atelier 6 Architects. Work tel:
+62
(21) 338 035. Work fax: +62 (21) 314 3480
E-mail: at6ars@rad.net.id
(MARCH
1995
– DEC 1997), SENIOR SITE ARCHITECT at NIRWANA
BALI
RESORT for Atelier 6 Architects, Jakarta, Indonesia.
Dear Graham, Thank you for your
co-operation and professionalism to contribute for the completion of
our
Project under very trying circumstances. Don't hesitate to call me...
Merci
Beacoup. Very best Regards.
Paul Tobia, Site Manager for Sagita
Dumez
in joint operation with PT Hutama Karya for Bali Nirwana Resort.
(APRIL
1993
TO NOV 1994), RESIDENT PROJECT ARCHITECT for Peddle Thorp
Architects,
Bali, Indonesia.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN. Graham
Benton
worked with Peddle Thorp Architects/ Parama Loka Consultant Joint
Venture,
the Architects and Interior Designers for the renovation of the Nusa
Dua
Beach Hotel, from April 1993 till October 1994. The renovation at a
development
cost of US$ 35 million, is a totally new design including the
enlargement
of guest rooms, the reconstruction of existing public spaces, the
construction
of new restaurants, lounges, health spa and presidential/royal suites
and
the renovation of kitchens and service areas. Graham worked on all
areas
of the project, but his primary responsibility was the design
development
and documentation of the guest rooms, the main lobby and associated
front
and back of house facilities. Because of the unusual configuration of
the
original design of the hotel there are now approximately 160 different
room or suite types, so that the documentation required is extensive.
Graham
supervised (and we could say virtually built) the initial mock-up rooms
and subsequently was responsible for construction inspections and
liaison
with the Contractor, Hutama-Takenaka Corporation, during the
construction
stage of the guest rooms and main lobby. Graham carried out the
detailed
design and the extensive design development often necessary to
interpret
the initial sketches with skill and flair, and a large amount of the
finished
appearance of the hotel will be the result of Graham's ability. Graham
is honest, efficient and hardworking. He has a pleasant personality and
works well with Indonesians to achieve excellent quality of
construction.
In fact the quality now being achieved on this project is quite
exceptional
for Indonesia. We are sorry that Graham is leaving the project and can
highly recommend him as a very hardworking Architect with the skill and
expertise for any position that he may seek.
Henry Hancock, Project
Architect for Peddle Thorp Architects on the Nusa Dua Project.
E-mail: jh.hancock@peddlethorp.com.au
(APRIL
1993
TO NOV 1994), RESIDENT PROJECT ARCHITECT for Peddle Thorp
Architects,
Bali, Indonesia.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN. I, Peter
Warren Cook, Resident Project Manager for Chesham Project Management
PTE
LTD, currently engaged as Project Managers by PT Sejahtera Indoco,
Owners
of the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel Bali, Indonesia; have been requested to
provide
a reference for Graham Benton (RIBA), Architect. Mr Benton is currently
Project Architect employed on a contract basis by Peddle Thorp
Architects/
PT Parama Loka Architects and Consultants, who are responsible for the
design documentation and Contract administration for the upgrade and
major
renovation of the above mentioned Hotel. Graham has been involved with
the project since inception, in fact he was partly responsible for the
preparation of the Peddle Thorp proposal prior to the company winning
the
project, and has therefore been associated with the project for just
over
two (2) years. It was on my recommendation to Peddle Thorp, that a
person
able to liaise, communicate and understand Indonesian Technicians be
put
on the project, Graham was that person and has indeed proven to be most
capable in every respect required, and is extremely knowledgeable about
standard Architectural contract administration practices, detailing and
problem solving. He has been responsible for Tender packaging, problem
solving in conjunction with the Contractor and invaluable with his
intimate
knowledge of the project. With being a US $ 35,000,000 upgrade of a ten
(10) years old , 400 rooms complex hotel is very very taxing. Graham
has
however shown he is able to handle any problems thrown at him, he is
diligent
and willing to work long hours, is friendly, honest, does not lose his
patience and does not seem to become upset or disturbed by the
idiosyncrasy
of working in Bali. He is completing his contract with the Peddle Thorp
organization in Bali and is being offered a period in the Sydney office
of Peddle Thorp Architects Australia. I will be very sorry to see him
go,
but know that he will be successful in his new position. On behalf of
Chesham,
I wish him all the very best and recommend him to who ever wishes to
engage
a mature, level headed, extremely diligent competent Architect. We will
be suffering with his departure as thus goes a depth of Project
experience
and knowledge. Please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned for
future
information.
Yours faithfully,
Peter W
Cook,
Resident Project Manager for Chesham Project Management on The Nusa Dua
Beach Hotel Upgrade. Home tel/fax: +61 - (8) 9384 6379
E-mail: Peter_W_Cook@yahoo.com
(APRIL
1993
TO NOV 1994), RESIDENT PROJECT ARCHITECT for Peddle Thorp
Architects,
Bali, Indonesia.
On behalf of our client, the
Project
Team in general and Chesham in particular I would like to offer my
congratulations
and thanks for your dedicated hard work and long hours in preparing and
completing all work associated with the mock-up room presentation.
Without
your energy and enthusiasm we would never have achieved the result. I
believe
the client will be equally grateful and impressed. Many thanks again.
Peter
W Cook, Resident Project Manager for Chesham Project Management on The
Nusa Dua Beach Hotel Upgrade. June 4th 1993. Home tel/fax: +61 -
(8)
9384 6379
E-mail: Peter_W_Cook@yahoo.com
(FEB 1991
TO
AUG 1991), SENIOR ARCHITECT (Jakarta) for Gordon Benton
&
Associates, Architects, Singapore.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN. Graham
Andrew
Benton, RIBA joined the practice as a Senior Architect on February 2nd,
1991 in Jakarta to investigate the possibility of opening a
representative
office in Indonesia. This task was completed in September 1st, 1991
with
the setting up of Parama Benton Peddle Thorp Architects, later to be
titled
Peddle Thorp Indonesia. During this relatively short period he carried
out his duties in a thoroughly competent manner and indeed proved to be
a great asset to the practice. He was obviously thoroughly comfortable
living and working in Indonesia and we expect that as he gets more and
more exposed to the architectural and planning aspects of our
profession,
he will be a great asset to whomever he works as well as his
profession.
We wish him well for a successful and stimulating career.
Gordon G
Benton,
OBE RIBA of Gordon Benton & Associates, Architects, Singapore. Mobile
Tel: +62 816883724;
E-mail: gordon@lippokarawaci.co.id
(SEP 1986
-
JAN 1991), ASSOCIATE/JUNIOR PARTNER (U.K. and Nigeria) for Michael
Gilmour Associates, Aberdeen, UK
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN. Graham has
worked with us for four and a half years since qualifying from college,
during this time he has grown in maturity and confidence to become an
exceptionally
competent Architect. Over the last two years he has been an Associate
Partner
and had he remained with us would undoubtedly have been promoted to
full
partnership status. We regret his departure which will be a serious
loss
and have no hesitation in recommending him to a future employer as an
exceptionally
industrious job administrator, talented draughtsman and designer and
finally
but by no means least an exceptionally pleasant individual to work
with.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Gilmour of Michael Gilmour Associates,
Aberdeen,
UK. Tel: +44 (1224) 643117/641078; Fax +44 (1224) 639719
E-mail: office@michaelgilmourassociates.co.uk
or mgilmouras@aol.com
Mr Benton received his BSC (Hons)
in
Architecture at this school in 1984, achieving a upper, second class
honours
award and continued at the school to gain his Diploma in Advanced
Architectural
Studies in 1986. He has since also passed his RIBA Part III and is
fully
qualified as a chartered architect in the UK. He is an exceptionally
hardworking
and dedicated designer, who can be relied on to carry out any task with
enthusiasm and care. Since qualifying, he has worked for me on a number
of jobs and I have been extremely pleased with his attitude and
commitment.
I cannot recommend him too highly.
Professor Robin Webster, Head of
Scott Sutherland School of Architecture, Aberdeen, UK. 31st
January
1991. Tel: +44 (1224) 263500; Fax: +44 (1224) 263535;
E-mail: r.g.webster@rgu.ac.uk
(JUL 1986
-
AUG 1986
and
NOV 1985 - JAN 1986), ASS. ARCHITECT RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT for
Richard Horden, Architect, London.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN. It is with
great pleasure that I can confirm that Graham Benton has been a very
valuable
and enthusiastic team member in the design and construction development
of the "Yacht House" building system. He has worked on the development
of details and handling both on the drawing board and fabrication on
shop
floor, enabling us to tackle the complex problems of design of a
lightweight
demountable structure for international shipping and air freight for a
project in Dallas, Texas.
Richard Horden, Architect, London. Work
tel: +44 (71) 439 0241. Work fax: +44 (71) 494 2662
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