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With TBH Singapore Associate Director Anthony Lee
What is your current role at TBH?
I am an Associate Director at TBH, and I also serve as the Planning and Scheduling (PAS) lead in Asia – so I am part of the leadership team responsible for ensuring that Singapore PAS deliverables meet TBH’s global standards.
As the Planning and Scheduling lead, I get called in when a project is in distress to get it back on track by assessing the situation, implementing corrective measures, and guiding it back to success.
Additionally, I help with the training and mentoring of new team members. Over the years, I’ve recruited and developed many of our senior consultants, some of whom joined us as junior consultants and consultants.
What did you study, and what motivated you to join TBH?
I studied Civil Engineering at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. I worked in Singapore briefly after graduating and then returned to Australia to work at John Holland, in Melbourne focusing on claims. It was while working for John Holland that I had my first encounter with TBH, who were working as consultants for a claim I was working on. When the claim was finished (in our favour) the invoice for TBH’s services arrived.
As the project manager looked at it, he made a comment about TBH’s fees. But he then said something that surprised me: “But they were worth every penny...“ I remember being impressed at how highly John Holland’s project manager regarded TBH, and that was what ultimately motivated me to join the firm. TBH’s reputation for excellence aligned with my desire to work on high-quality projects.
After five years in Melbourne, I moved back to Singapore, becoming one of the first to take on an international role (after Christopher Nicolas).
Tell us about a career highlight?
One of my career highlights was working on the Deer Park Bypass project in Victoria, which used a collaborative contracting model. The project finished eight months ahead of schedule and it went on to win the AIPM Project Management Achievement Award in 2009. Since moving to Singapore, I have worked on some truly iconic projects including the Marina Bay Financial Centre, Marina Bay Sands, South Beach mixed development, and the Guoco Tower, the tallest building in Singapore. I was also involved in planning for the Formula One Grand Prix night races and a global data centre that now delivers cloud services to the Asia-Pacific market.
In the latter, our team was brought in to assist the contractor, who was unable to secure client approval for the program and schedule. I can still recall being in a workshop surrounded by 20 different experts trying to scrutinise and pull apart the program from every angle. But it stood up! It was an incredibly satisfying experience walking out of that meeting knowing we had done our job well.
What major innovations or industry trends are you most excited about?
An exciting industry trend happening in Singapore now is the increased focus on collaborative contracting. This move away from traditional contracting alternatives has, in my opinion, changed construction project management in Singapore for the better.
It means less arguments and fewer hurt egos at the end of a project. Also, since the different parties are working together, they can dedicate more time and energy to getting the project finished under budget or ahead of schedule. Therefore, the potential value savings for project owners are significant. Another trend I find interesting is the use of data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI). These technologies are already changing how we approach problem-solving on projects, allowing us to predict and manage issues before they arise. I don’t think AI will replace human workers, but I do believe it will help free up people from repetitive tasks to focus on more fulfilling and engaging work in the future.
How do negotiation styles differ between Asian and Australian clients?
In Asia, the business environment can sometimes be more challenging for negotiations and agreements, with a lot of back-and-forthing when discussing prices, being the norm. It’s common for negotiations to be drawn out too. This can be quite demanding and requires a lot of patience and an understanding of the local business culture to navigate successfully. It is always rewarding when a successful agreement is reached though. In contrast, I found that negotiations in Australia tend to be more straightforward, at least at the tender stage. While there is room for negotiation, the process is generally more direct, and parties tend to agree on a price much quicker.
How have you managed work-life balance throughout your career?
Achieving a work-life balance has been crucial for my well-being and productivity, and I am fortunate to have an understanding wife, Cze-Ee, and three sons who play a significant role in this.
Open communication is key in our relationship. I try to always communicate clearly when I am about to experience a busy period, so she knows in advance and can adjust accordingly. This alleviates so much pressure, because she takes care of what is going on at home while I am working long hours.
TBH has also been incredibly supportive of me maintaining a work-life balance. The company’s flexibility concerning remote work was particularly helpful when my in-laws were ill, as it allowed me to be present for my family during a challenging time without having to compromise my professional responsibilities.
How has TBH changed in the past 20 years?
The services we provide at TBH have expanded in the past twenty years, becoming much more streamlined, and clearly defined. The company has also grown internationally, especially in the last five years, and we now have a strong presence in Southeast Asia and the Middle East which is exciting to be part of as it allows us to increase our client base and tap into new markets.
What role has mentoring played in your career?
Through mentorship, I was able to identify blind spots in how I relate to colleagues and clients, this understanding helped me change my approach which has undoubtably helped me progress in my career. Additionally, improving my interpersonal skills have helped me build stronger relationships with clients and colleagues. As a mentor, I get immense satisfaction helping guide new starters through their career journey, especially with on-the-job training, which I find most effective.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would advise my younger self to take more time to reflect and appreciate the learning process during and between projects and to enjoy the journey and not just focus on the next deliverable.
About Anthony Lee
Anthony is a Civil Engineer and Project Management Professional at TBH with extensive experience in project planning, programming, and claim analysis. He has worked on projects valued up to $2.6 billion in Singapore and Australia, and specialises in strategic planning, programming, and EOT claim analysis. Get in touch with him by using the contact form below.