Meet the Team

Phillip is a Chartered Quantity Surveyor and the joint founder of Diafora. With over 25 years of experience working in commercial management, claims and project management roles Phillip has accumulated significant experience supporting Client’s in the United Kingdom, Europe and the Middle East.

Phillip is from a Contracting background gaining experience on a wide range of projects, including civil engineering, infrastructure, mixed use developments, power, renewable energy and marine schemes.

He also sits on the East Midlands Regional Board of the RICS as a non executive board member having been appointed in early 2023, with the aim to support the RICS and its members within the region.

Phillip has always been passionate about making the difference on any project he is involved with, as a graduate QS he took great pride in learning and understanding the technical aspects of any construction project, whether that be how cement stabilisation works or particular remediation techniques. Phillip always found that to understand the technical aspect of any project always stood in him in good stead when it came to managing the commercials, this approach to wider learning continues to this day in his role as Managing Director. Making the difference is what motivates and drives Phillip forward.

Away from the office he is a keen Liverpool Football Club supporter, and would like to go to the match more often. Phillip also enjoys watching live music and is embracing having teenagers which has widened his experience of different artists and concerts.

Jodie jointly founded Diafora in 2016.

Graduating from University of Derby with a BA Honours, Jodie spent her formative years in a managerial role before taking a career break whilst Phillip was working in the Middle East. Jodie’s role within the company is largely based upon the marketing of Diafora, business administration, accountancy and strategic direction.

Jodie has played an integral role behind the scenes helping to drive the direction of the company. Phil will be the first to admit that Jodie provides a good sounding board for some of his ambitious plans helping to keep him grounded and focused.

Jodie is also a keen runner; she took up running over 10 years ago and has completed many half marathons and 10k races, but her greatest achievements was completing the London Marathon in 2019.

Robert took on the role of Associate Director in 2022 supporting Phillip and Jodie in all aspects of the companys growth, development and strategic direction. Rob joined the management team before his appointment as associate director, and it was soon clear that with Rob’s wealth of knowledge and his commitment to Diafora his natural progression was to Associate Director.

Rob has over 25 years of experience, gaining a BSc (Hons) in Quantity Surveying in 1996 from Leeds University. During this time, Rob had gained significant experience and skills working on projects for private clients and public authorities across a variety of sectors, including remediation, large scale earthworks, highways, infrastructure, civil engineering, M&E, residential and renewable energy.

Robert has demonstrated loyalty and resilience throughout his time at Diafora showing his Commitment, hardworking ethics and enthusiasm for his role as Associate Director. Rob takes great pride in inspiring others; he often goes above and beyond to help our junior Quantity Surveyors to enable them to become the very best in the industry.

Rob thrives on personal and collective successes of delivering projects, supporting clients and helping to improve companywide performance, development and growth.

Outside of work Rob is a keen cyclist and enjoys exploring the hills of Yorkshire on his bike. The extra calories burnt enables Rob to take pleasure from his other passion without too much guilt – cheese and biscuits!

Gordon has 35 years of experience in the construction industry. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge and expertise within the Civil Engineering and Infrastructure specialisms. Gordon is a Chartered Quantity Surveyor, a Member of the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

He has extensive experience in commercial management of major projects, from the bid management / estimating phase through to final account. He also has significant experience in formal dispute resolution.

Gordon’s professionalism and approach gives clients assurance that entitlement can be maximised, whilst taking a positive, pragmatic, and problem-solving approach to maintain relationships.

Gordon is also the Diafora RICS Development manager, in this role Gordon is responsibly for developing and supporting Diafora Consultants to enable them to successfully achieve the RICS APC and become Chartered Surveyors.

Bal joined Diafora in 2018 as a Commercial Contracts Consultant supporting the Company on major Power and Distribution Projects in the UK, Europe and East Asia.

Bal’s knowledge of the Power and Renewables sector is outstanding  having been directly involved in the Contracts and Commercial management of Interconnector and Offshore Wind Farms.

In 2023 Bal’s experience and knowledge earnt him promotion to the position of Senior Commercial Contracts Consultant, Bal is a respected and valued member of the Diafora Team.

Bal is a driven and passionate commercial professional with excellent client and project management skills. Results oriented with strong ability to communicate effectively, and possesses an in depth understanding of commercial and contractual issues. Bal has a strong work ethic, excellent academic background and outstanding practical ability which brings added Value to any Project or Organisation.

Bal is currently preparing to sit his RICS APC Interview with the goal of becoming a Chartered Quantity Surveyor in the very near future.

Tom gained a first-class honours degree in Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management from Nottingham Trent University in 2019 and joined Diafora during this time.

As one of Diafora’s longest serving team members, Tom has on many occasions demonstrated his commitment to his role as Commercial Consultant and Diafora team member. We have seen Tom grow in confidence as his experience has taken him across many sectors supporting many Clients.

Tom is always professional and instinctively knows when to be tactful and assertive, in what can be a challenging industry. He has a keen eye for detail that brings valuable commercial and contract support to all projects assigned to him.

Tom has experience in Civil Engineering, Rail, Power and Building related Projects and is experienced in working for subcontractors as well as main contractors supporting firms of varying sizes, including sole traders through to Tier 1 contractors.

More recently Tom has supported a number of clients within the Power Transmission and Distribution Sector and has gained valuable knowledge and experience supporting a major Interconnector Project Between UK an Ireland.

Dawn is based at our Head Office in the Midlands and is the friendly voice you hear when contacting Diafora.

Dawn has acquired a wide range of skills from her previous roles working in a variety of office administration positions. Dawn’s role within Diafora is to ensure the smooth running of the office, particularly ensuring that all enquires are dealt with efficiently. Dawns role as office manager also entails the booking of flights and hotels for our consultants who travel far and wide to meet the needs of our clients. A task many of our consultants are extremely grateful for.

Dawn has a key role collating data for analysis in order for us to ensure we are continually providing the best possible service to all our clients. Dawn is a member of the Diafora management team and has been instrumental in ensuring polices and procedures are followed currently which in turn aids the efficient running of the company as a whole.

Dawn has six grandchildren who take up any spare time she may have but when she does get a spare moment she can normally be found in her garden or visiting the beautiful villages around the peak district for a pub lunch.

Ian joined Diafora in 2023 with the task of growing the Planning and Programming Department with the aim of establishing Diafora as the go to consultants for specialist programming services with a particular emphasis on NEC Forms of Contract.

Ian is responsible for all Planning and Programming related services offered by the Company and specialises in Pre-Construction, Construction, and Post Construction Planning including Forensic and Delay analysis and planning.

He is an experienced planning manager having delivered planning services on a diverse range construction projects over a period of 20 years.

Ian is experienced having worked with a number of Tier 1 Contractors during his career and excels at working as an integral part of a project team from feasibility through to completion. He is practiced in JCT & NEC forms of contract and adept with various planning software packages and is an excellent communicator and motivator.

Ian is an approachable character and team player specialising in collaborative working and lean planning techniques. He is passionate about the use of innovation and technology within the Construction Industry and leads our charge to implement such technologies wherever possible.

Daniel Olaru studied at Alvar Aalto in Finland which later led him to his role as a Senior Planning Engineer in 2017. Over his career, Dan has gained over 15 years worth of experience in the construction industry, with 10 years being focused within the UK.

Dan is working closely with our planning manager, in establishing the planning department here at Diafora, a useful but sometimes overlooked part of the industry.

Dans experience is vast, and he has since delivered many complex and high value projects across London. Dan upholds accurate programme forecasting and management and is confident within the construction industry.

When completing work, Dan is meticulous and shows a high level of accuracy and competence. This aids the delivery of projects on time and to the highest standard.

Alongside his work, Dan is a proud family man enjoying time outdoors fishing. Dan also enjoys exploring his more creative side through his love of woodwork where he can craft various objects, from spoons to sheds!

Kyle has an RICS accredited honours degree in Quantity Surveying attained at Robert Gordon University and is a member of the Institute of Royal Engineers.

Kyle joined Diafora as Business Development Manager after 8 years serving with the British Army in the Corps of Royal Engineers. Kyle has experience in electrical and mechanical design and currently has a BTEC from his studies at The Royal School of Military Engineering.

During his time in the Army and since joining Diafora Kyle has gained many valuable attributes including self-discipline, the ability to self-motivate and lead those around him to achieve an objective and a strong work ethic. He is confident in his approach to new challenges, and communicates very well at all levels.

In his role as Commercial Consultant Kyle has supported sole traders and construction companies within the development, construction and Civil Engineering sectors being responsible for commercial and contractual advice and providing support with all financial aspects of his Client’s projects.

Kyle has recently joined a larger team on an International HVDC Interconnector Project being responsible for supporting the overall delivery of the Project by the management of key Sub-Contractor’s on behalf of our Client. He is also involved in supporting a Civil Engineering Client on the HS2 Project in the West Midlands.

Stephen is a mature and experienced individual having worked for over 10 years in the Capital Allowances and Accountancy sectors. Having always had an interest in the Built Environment Stephen enrolled onto the BSc Quantity Surveying course at Plymouth University graduating as a qualified Quantity Surveyor in 2022.

His background in Capital Allowances has provided him with an excellent understanding of Accounts Management and Client Care. He has proven management skills and extensive knowledge and experience in various software packages.

Stephen is a self-motivated and hardworking individual who works successfully under his own initiative. Having joined Diafora in 2024 he has very quickly shown his capabilities and commitment supporting clients in the Power Transmission and Distribution Sector.