Neresh Pather has been elected as president of Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA).

Pather was inaugurated as president at CESA’s 64^th annual general meeting along with Sugen Pillay who was appointed to the position of deputy president.

A Statutory Director of Mott MacDonald Africa, Pather has more than 24 years’ experience in the industry. He holds a BSc. Engineering (Civil) degree and a MSc. Engineering degree in Transportation and as such has led many transport and strategic infrastructure projects within the company.

Prior to joining Mott MacDonald, Pather was the “CEO of PD Naidoo & Associates Consulting Engineers (Pty) Ltd” for a period of 12 years.  He joined the company in 1997 and held a number of positions in the capacity of Director before becoming the CEO.

Commenting on his appointment Pather said: “I am truly humbled by the privilege bestowed on me to lead our industry and I hope that CESA will be able to renew and reinvent itself to increase our relevance to our clients and especially to our young professionals who will ultimately take over the leadership of the industry.

He added: “Our work on the Transformation of the Industry will definitely continue as we seek to broaden this in the years ahead, to ensure that CESA becomes more inclusive, relevant and able to put the industry at the forefront through ‘Effective Ethical Leadership.”

Sugen Pillay appointed deputy president

Pather will be joined in his duties by incoming Deputy President, Sugen Pillay. Pillay is registered as a professional engineer, with twenty years’ experience in most facets of civil engineering including the project and programme management of multi-disciplinary projects, as well as design and implementation of roads and civil services, municipal infrastructure waste water treatment work power stations.

Pillay holds a BSc. Hons in Civil Engineering, a Post Graduate Diploma in Civil Engineering and an MBA (cum laude).