INTERVIEW: Asher Mehmet, Greenway Associates
Greenway Associates is excited to welcome Asher Mehmet to our team as a Senior Quantity Surveyor.
GA: Welcome Asher! You’re coming to us from Mace - why the change from contractor to consultant side?
Asher: Thanks! I originally started my career on the consultant side, working for various clients and looking for office space across London. At the time, I wanted to diversify my experience and get my boots dirty in the contractor world. Now, I’m returning to the consultant side and looking forward to getting involved in the pre-construction process of projects, hoping to add my construction knowledge and experience to this process.
GA: Do you have a particular specialism?
Asher: My main area of specialisation is fit-out and façade. In my previous role, I was the façade surveyor managing the delivery of high-end façade jobs for numerous large office and residential schemes in London. With the challenges in the industry over recent years, the façade has become one of the most important elements to get right for project success.
GA: How do you think AI will affect the QS profession & the Construction industry at large?
Asher: I think if we utilize AI well, it will become a very powerful tool for the QS profession, especially in problem solving, analysing design drawings and even building-up a Bill of Quantities. While AI will undoubtedly shape the role of Quantity Surveyors and our day-to-day functions over the next decade, I don’t think it will replace us. Instead those who fail to adopt AI risk being left behind.
GA: Which kind of projects are you most looking forward to working on?
Asher: As a South Londoner, I have visited so many of the cultural projects that Greenway Associates have been involved with. I've always wondered how they got the blue whale skeleton into the Natural History Museum!
GA: What’s your favourite space in London and why?
Asher: I could never imagine any other life than living in South London! My favourite space is definitely Greenwich. I love the contrast of old and new, the history, the market, the pastry shops and bubble tea! The best view of London is from the top of the hill by the observatory.
GA: Favourite pastime?
Asher: I love to travel in my spare time. I also love sport, so I often combine the two - travelling for Formula 1 races or football matches. The most interesting place I’ve ever visited is Tokyo, Japan and since returning I just can’t get enough of their food!