Cost Management

James Mitchell

European Director

James joined Costplan Group in 2017 and has 18 years of experience within the construction industry.

James has engaged in a large variety of projects within the United Kingdom, assuming the role of a Quantity Surveyor for both compact and extensive practices. He has worked with diverse client groups and his comprehensive professional background encompasses extensive PQS (Professional Quantity
Surveyor) experience, spanning projects with budgets ranging from £250k to £60m.

His versatile expertise covers numerous sectors such as commercial, residential, healthcare, education, leisure, and infrastructure.

Rudi Piebenga

DIRECTOR Australia and Papua New Guinea

Rudi joined Costplan Group as a Director in 2006 and has over 35 years of experience as a Quantity Surveyor.

Rudi has specialised experience in a wide variety of projects throughout the South Pacific including Aviation, Major Infrastructure and Civil, Commercial, Health and Leisure.

Rudi’s main areas of expertise are preparing and pricing estimates, cost planning, bills of quantities, post-contract progress assessments, variation assessments and extension of time claims.

During his career, Rudi has developed an extensive understanding of cost estimation and management, budget control, value engineering, and implementation of effective cost-saving strategies to deliver successful project outcomes for our clients.

David Tilby

Group CEO

David has over 50 years’ experience as a Quantity Surveyor, beginning his career in the United Kingdom in 1965, then moving to Australia in 1971.

As a Director of Rider Hunt (now RLB) from 1983 to 2000, he found new opportunities and opened new offices in Australia and internationally.

In 2006, David started the first office of Costplan Group in Brisbane with Rudi Piebenga and Ken Lewis and is proud of its growth and development into an international group of companies.

David has extensive experience on various projects and sectors throughout the world and has significant knowledge on the cost and logistical challenges that arise from constructing in diverse countries with different construction methods and regulations.

Understanding clients’ unique objectives and budgets is at the core of David’s approach to ensure client and project goals are successfully achieved.

The values important to David are to provide real-time, honest and independent advice to clients at all times, to help our people improve and extend their capabilities and to ensure a happy and positive workplace.

Aaron Tomsett

GROUP DIRECTOR

Aaron's significant contributions have fuelled Costplan Group's expansion since 2014, playing a pivotal role in our successful entry into the UK market. With a career spanning back to 2001, he possesses a comprehensive background in development, main contracting, and consulting. His acute attention to detail underscores his belief in the symbiotic relationship between experience, training, and steadfast support in fostering a thriving and positive organisational culture.

Aaron holds a diverse project portfolio encompassing Residential, Commercial, Hospitality, Industrial, Education, Infrastructure, and Aviation sectors. His educational journey culminated in a BSc Hons in Quantity Surveying Consultancy from Kingston University, which is enhanced by his membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Central to Aaron's core values are Family, Enjoyment, Passion, Reliability, Health, and Care. He champions accountability as a cornerstone principle and firmly upholds the notion that life's most valuable achievements are products of relentless dedication and hard work.

Matthew Lee

Oceania Director

Matthew joined the Costplan team in July 2019 as a Director overseeing & managing our Oceania offices, having worked in the construction industry since 2001, experienced in both Commercial Management & Private Practice Quantity Surveying positions provides an expansive understanding of the role.

Having experience on a variety of projects across a broad range of sectors including Education, Commercial, Ecclesiastical, Judicial, Industrial, Infrastructure, Residential & Aviation across regions which include Australia, The South Pacific, United Kingdom and North America.

Matthew’s key strengths are contract and cost management, in particular the ability to initially set up projects & mitigate conflicts throughout the project process for the best possible outcomes. Matthew attained a BSc (Hons) In Quantity Surveying from The University of Salford, subsequently achieving MRICS Chartered Surveyor, MAIQS and Certified Quantity Surveyor (CQS AIQS) accreditations.

Core values which Matthew adheres to include Family, Integrity, Innovation and a belief in Dedication & Professionalism providing the most thorough advice to clients.