Business Bites: Covid-19 pandemic impact and challenges for recovery in the Construction Industry

Professor Ian Jefferson, Professor of Geotechnical Engineering, Interim Deputy Head of College, Engineering and Physical Sciences, at the university’s School of Engineering and Ian Maund from Quantum Global Solutions, who is also the Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Building, MENA region and the Dubai hub discuss the current impact of COVID-19 and the challenges faced in the construction industry with insights into the longer term impact of COVID-19.

Meet our Experts

Professor Ian Jefferson, Professor in Geotechnical Engineering, Head of Education in the Department of Civil Engineering

Professor Jefferson (BEng(Hons), DIS, PhD, FGS) is involved with teaching soil mechanics, geotechnical engineering and engineering geology at both undergraduate and postgraduate level at the University of Birmingham. In addition, he has teaching interests in waste management and sustainability.

His current research projects include: Loess soil stabilisation, Collapsibility in loess soils, Ground Improvement using stone columns, Assessment of improved ground using geophysics, Shear strength of glacial tills, Sustainability Assessments in urban Development, Sustainability in the geotechnical process and Sustainable urban redevelopment - Eastside.

Ian Maund, Regional Director for Quantum Global Solutions

Ian Maund is the regional director for Quantum Global Solutions in the UAE. A multi-disciplined construction professional experienced in both contractual/commercial and project management. He has a career which features the management of major projects including two of the world’s largest new build hospitals. Having made the move to international projects in 2010 he has continued to use his experience in project delivery and programme management, to ascertain best practice in the region. Utilising a strong commercial foundation and an aptitude for contract administration, he now successfully leads teams in the management of claims and construction disputes for Quantum.