the plancost team

Simon Grimes – Managing Director

Simon has been part of the PlanCost team for 19 years, taking the lead 6 years ago as Managing Director. He has been instrumental in PlanCost’s strong growth and the establishment of a highly skilled and experienced team of cost planning consultants. Simon has extensive quantity surveying experience, across a broad range of projects and industries. His skills are uniquely enhanced by his engineering knowledge, which combines excellence in technical knowledge and creative problem solving. This is evidenced in positive project outcomes and the impact of his staff mentorship.

Qualifications:
Bachelor of Engineering 2008 (Electronics & Computer Systems) (First Class Honours) – Swinburne University of Technology

Professional Associations:
Affiliate member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors

Professional Experience:
Appointed Managing director in 2018
Appointed Director of PlanCost Australia in 2010
Commenced work at PlanCost Australia in 2005

Greg George – Business Manager

Greg joined us in 2024, in this new Business Manager role, to further enhance the value we add to our clients’ projects and to PlanCost’s continuing strategic growth. Greg contributes unique insights gained from his broad experience in both social enterprises and the commercial sector. His significant skills and experience in strategic, operational and team development strongly enhances the difference Plancost makes every step of the way.

Qualifications:
Master of Business Administration (Professional) 2013 Melbourne Business School
Bachelor of Arts (Economics) University of New England

Professional Experience:
Joined the PlanCost team in 2024
Australian Business & Community Network 2018-2024
Melbourne & Olympic Parks 2014-2016
Tennis Australia 2010-2014
Nortel 1998-2009

Holly Phillips – Senior Associate Quantity Surveyor

Holly’s substantial base of experience, depth of knowledge and skills is evidenced in the quality of her work and the valuable mentoring she provides our team. Holly has in-depth experience with Government Departments and Agencies, ensuring projects meet objectives and process and reporting requirements are met. Her strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills are highly valued by our clients.

Qualifications:
Bachelor of Applied Science 2017 (Construction Mgt) (First Class Honours) RMIT
Diploma of Building & Construction 2014 – Swinburne University
Registered Building Practitioner QS-63 954

Professional Associations
Certified Member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors

Professional Experience:
Appointed Senior Associate Quantity Surveyor 2023
Joined the PlanCost team in 2013.

Mathew Hinkley – Senior Associate Quantity Surveyor

Mat is a senior member of the PlanCost Australia team, and a high calibre quantity surveying professional, who brings in-depth construction industry experience, technical excellence, and problem-solving flair to his project teams. He has a proven track record of achievement, leading the delivery of superior quantity surveying for high profile government and private sector clients. Mat is valued for his collaborative, client centred approach and his solid leadership ensures the team makes a difference at every stage of project delivery.

Qualifications:
Bachelor of Applied Science 2017 (Construction Mgt) (First Class Honours) – RMIT
Diploma of Building & Construction 2014 – RMIT
Registered Building Practitioner QS-63 940

Professional Associations
Member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors

Professional Experience:
Appointed Senior Associate Quantity Surveyor 2023
Joined the PlanCost team in 2015.

Andrew Lu – Associate Quantity Surveyor

Andrew is a senior member of the PlanCost Australia team with experience and skills, across all aspects of quantity surveying and cost management, which are enhanced by his optimistic attitude and problem-solving capabilities. His broad experience in commercial, residential and government sectors are of great value to his teams.

Qualifications:
Master of Construction Management (Honours) 2016-2018 The University of Melbourne
Master of Philosophy 2013 -2016 Capital Normal University, Beijing
Bachelor of Construction Management 2005-2009 Dongbei University of Finance & Economics

Professional Associations:
Certified Member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors

Professional Experience:
Joined PlanCost team in 2020
RBB – Melbourne 2019-2020
Slattery Australia 2018-2019

Ryan Niu – Senior Quantity Surveyor

Ryan brings over 14 years’ experience to his project teams, drawing on experience gained in project management, cost & contract management, as well as quantity surveying. He brings strong attention to detail, goal focus and creative thinking to his project work, and valuable mentorship to our team. 

Qualifications:
Master of Construction Mngt. 2018 – The University of Melbourne
Advanced Diploma, Language Interpretation and Translation
Bachelor of Environmental Engineering 2004 – Hohai University China

Professional Associations:
Certified Member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors

Professional Experience:
Joined PlanCost team in 2021
Mitchell Brandtman 2019-2020
China Overseas Property Group 2010-2015

Danni Li – Senior Quantity Surveyor

Danni is a talented quantity surveyor with four years of cost planning and contract administration experience.  Her technical skills reflect her solid academic foundations and are enhanced by her strong analytical and numerical skills and proactive problem-solving abilities. Her bright mind, and willingness to take on challenges, enables her to make a difference to all her projects.

Qualifications:
Master of Construction Management 2019 – University of Melbourne
Bachelor of Math and Economics 2016 – Boston University
Certified Translator English to Chinese 2017- National Accreditation Authority

Professional Associations:
Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors

Professional Experience:
Joined the PlanCost team in 2020

Milane Mahendrarajah – Senior Quantity Surveyor

Milane has extensive end-to-end quantity surveying experience, including many high-profile, large-scale projects. Her strong understanding of construction methodology and professional commitment to efficiently and effectively her projects make her a valuable addition to our team.

Qualifications:
Bachelor of Science (Quantity Surveying) – 2014 University of Salford, Great Manchester, UK

Professional Associations:
Certified Member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors
Member of Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors

Professional Experience:
Grand Central Contracting Company 2018 – 2020
GTCC, Drake & Scull International PJSC 2017 – 2018
Bhatia General Contracting LLC 2015 – 2017
Q Serve (PVT)LTD. 2013 – 2015

Kris Liu –  Quantity Surveyor

Kris has in-depth estimating experience in the residential and specialist building materials sectors. Since joining PlanCost he has rapidly broadened the scope of his experience across a range of industries and projects. Kris is a cooperative, problem solver, with high attention to detail, and adds substantial value to his projects.

Qualifications:
Master of Engineering (Civil and structural),2017, University of Melbourne
Bachelor of Environment, 2015, University of Melbourne
Building and Construction Certificate IV 2016, Ashley Institute TAFE

Professional Experience:
Joined the PlanCost team in 2022
USG Boral Australia 2020-2022
8CON Construction 201-2019

Akhilesh Goorwappa – Quantity Surveyor

Akhilesh has a strong breadth of experience spanning both government and private sectors in the areas of health, recreation, education, community, commercial, and residential. He is a highly skilled, quantity surveyor which is evidenced in the quality of his work and the valued role in the projects he contributes to.

Qualifications:
Bachelor of Construction Management & Economics (2021) • Holmesglen Institute
Peter Grundy Scholarship Recipient (2020) • Holmesglen Institute

Professional Associations:
Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors

Professional Experience:
Joined the PlanCost team in 2021
John Holland Virtual internship Program 2020

Tirth Bhavsar – Quantity Surveyor

Tirth is an accomplished quantity surveyor with broad industry experience, with solid academic foundations including a Master of Construction Management.  He has worked on more than 90 projects with PlanCost and has strongly contributed to these teams, with his  strong technical skills and professional approach.

Qualifications:
Master of Construction Management (Professional), 2021 Deakin University
Bachelor of Civil Engineering, 2019, Gujarat Technological University, India

Professional Associations:
Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors

Professional Experience:
Joined PlanCost team in 2022
Staircase Constructions – Estimator 2021-2022
Safal Group – 2019-2020

Ray Gao – Quantity Surveyor

Ray has completed a Master of Construction Management (Quantity Surveying), and Bachelor of Environments (Architecture) and has strong demonstrated skills  in project coordination, and cost estimation. He has contributed to over 50 projects since joining Plancost, rapidly building on his strong skills and capabilities.

Qualifications:
Master of Construction Management 2020 – Deakin University

Professional Associations:
Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors

Professional Experience:
Joined the PlanCost team in 2022

Harshil Gorasia – Quantity Surveyor

Harshil has strong estimating and project coordination abilities and has completed a Master of Construction & Infrastructure Management. Since joining Plancost Australia in 2023, Harshil has worked on over 30 projects, across a broad range of industry sectors, further enhancing his skills and experience.

Qualifications:
Master of Construction & Infrastructure Management 2021 – Swinburne University of Technology
Bachelor of Construction Economics, 2019, UNITEC, NZ

Professional Associations:
Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors

Professional Experience:
Joined the PlanCost team in 2023

Ronny Chong – Quantity Surveyor

Ronny is a highly driven, contributor to our team with experience across all aspects of quantity surveying in a diverse range of industry sectors including commercial, educational, healthcare and residential. He has a Master of Construction & Infrastructure Management and 3 years’ post qualification experience in the industry.

Qualifications:
Bachelor of Applied Science (Construction Management) (Honours) 2021, RMIT

Professional Associations:
Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors

Professional Experience:
Joined the PlanCost team in 2024
Prowse Quantity Surveyors  2021-2023

Rodrigo Galan – Quantity Surveyor

Rodrigo brings to the team a unique combination of skills and experience in architecture, quantity surveying and project management. Over the past 10 years he has successfully managed residential and commercial projects, developing a strong proficiency in cost estimation and project coordination.

Qualifications:
Certificate IV, Project Management Practice, 2016 Australian Institute of Commerce & Technology
Master of Business Administration, 2014 Faculdade Getulio Vargas, Brazil
Bachelor of Architecture and Urbanism, 2012 Universidade Belas Artes, Brazil

Professional Experience:
Joined the PlanCost team in 2024
Larkin Building Group – Estimator and Contract Administrator 2021-2024
Geared Construction – Estimator and Contract Administrator 2016-2021

…and keeping things running smoothly are our
Office Managers:

Katrina Jack

Julie Jobson

Clare Grimes