Election of Ordinary members

In accordance with the Society's Constitution, 10 candidates have been nominated for the Ordinary Member positions on the Executive Committee. The Society's Constitution permits not less than 4 and not more than 8 Ordinary Members. Accordingly an election is taking place for the Ordinary Member positions.  

The ballot opens on 11 October and closes on 1 November 2023.  Members will receive an email from ElectionBuddy inviting them to vote. The candidates and their respective election statements are below. 

The results from the ballot will be announced at the AGM on 30 November 2023.

Bernadette Barker.  Proposed by Hamish Lal, seconded by Sean Gibbs.

"Bernadette as a Chartered Architect with over 35 years’ across the board experience, has been running her consultancy practice since 1993.

She is a Chartered Arbitrator (qualified in both domestic and international commercial arbitration), an accredited mediator, a member of the Institution of Fire Engineers, and a Member of the Academy of Experts.

Bernadette is a panel member of the CIC, the CIArb, the UKA, is registered with the ICC and has been acting as an adjudicator since 1998.

If elected I would hope to be able to contribute to the ongoing development of the Adjudication Society."

Amy Bonczyk.  Proposed by Faye Allen, seconded by Garry Kitt.

“I have spent the last 15 years working in the construction industry and am regularly involved in the dispute resolution process in numerous sectors. I have in-depth knowledge of Adjudication and understand it’s importance in dispute resolution.

I am passionate about diversity and inclusion in Adjudication and have firsthand experience of the difficulties faced by practitioners when trying to gain entry onto various panels. 

I believe the Society and the work it does is imperative in improving Adjudication and feel I can bring a different perspective and new ideas and am excited for the opportunity to be part of it.”

Nicholas Gould  Proposed by Claire King, seconded by Donny Mackinnon.

"I have worked for the Society since its formation in 1996. I have edited all of the case notes for the Newsletters and ensured they are on the web site. I was instrumental in establishing the new improved Newsletter. I am a partner at leading construction specialist solicitors Fenwick Elliott, and I am a dual qualified chartered surveyor and solicitor, and I have been involved in hundreds of adjudications advising parties and adjudicators, enforcing decisions and acting as adjudicator.  I am committed to driving the Society forward in its endeavours for distribution of information and education relating to adjudication."

Daniel Johnson.  Proposed by John Malins, seconded by Peter Stockill.

"I am a Senior Associate at HFW and a specialist in construction disputes, both in the UK and internationally. I am passionate about knowledge sharing and robust debate within the Society. If elected, I will be committed to further developing an inclusive environment where ideas thrive, and members are empowered to share their ideas. As a committee member, I will work to organise events that keep members up-to-date with legal developments. Additionally, I would like to explore how the Society can share knowledge on adjudication in an international context and in respect of DABs. Thank you."

Hamish Lal.  Proposed by Sean Gibbs, seconded by Richard Booth.

"I am keen to continue to serve The Adjudication Society; maintain the strong energy and momentum of the various initiatives; and play a role in modernisation as the Construction Act moves into the next 25 Years. The Society is in good shape, and I would like us to hit 1000 Members in the next 12 months. There are still some big decisions still to be made and I would to make a contribution. Thank you."

Suryen C. Nullatamby.  Proposed by Hamish Lal, seconded by Perdeep Grewal.

"I am currently the Head of Construction at Birkett Long, having been practising lawyer since 2005. I am an accredited adjudicator on various UK panels including the RICS, CIARB, CIC and the UK Adjudicators, and also a committee member of the King’s College Construction Law Association. As committee member, I will seize the opportunity to promote the Society inspiring in all interactions, and help the Pledge of Women in Adjudication. I would like to promote wider diversity such as race, colour, age and educational background, and help the Society to achieve real, meaningful change towards greater diversity in ADR."

James O'Donoghue.  Proposed by Arran Dowling-Hussey, seconded by Hamish Lal.

"DipArch, B(Arch)Sc, DipProjMan, DipArb, DipIntComm Arb, DipConstLaw(LSI), LLM, FRIAI, RIBA, FCIArb.

Adjudicator (Minister’s Panel appointee CCA 2013 Ire) Chartered ARBITRATOR Accredited MEDIATOR (CEDR, CIArb) Conciliator

Partner BLUETT & O’DONOGHUE Built Environment Consultancy.

CIArb: Former Ireland Branch Chair, Faculty Member Adjudication Courses (1996 Act) and Arbitration. Former Chair Liaison Committee of Construction Industry Ireland. Member ICC Commission on Arbitration & ADR.

James is keen to draw on his contacts, domestic and international experience to help support the drive towards 1,000 members.

An advocate of the collaborative approach he wants to help protect and strengthen the Society’s unique ethos."

James Pickavance.  Proposed by Edward Quigg, seconded by Richard Booth.

"I have served on the Society’s committee for seven years and in that time have instigated or assisted with a number of initiatives.  More recently, they include the quarterly case law updates and the King’s College London and Society’s adjudication survey report, both of which have been heralded a success.  I would like to continue on the committee to serve its members and the wider adjudication community so that our collective knowledge of adjudication law and the process of adjudicating disputes improves and so that those new to adjudication have ready access to materials that may be of assistance."

Carly Thorpe.  Proposed by Morwenna Crichton, seconded by Jason Sharp.

"I regularly represent parties in complex adjudications in my role as Partner at Walker Morris in Leeds. I run Walker Morris' monthly client bulletin Adjudication Matters and I am studying the RICS Diploma in Adjudication. I want to do my part to encourage best practice in adjudication and support the Society's initiatives to improve representation and diversity in adjudication. In July 2023 I organised the Leeds Meet the Adjudicator Event in support of the Society's Women in Adjudication initiative and I'm keen to assist with future events to share knowledge and drive change. "

Khaleda Wheeler.  Proposed by Arran Dowling-Hussey, seconded by Hamish Lal.

"Khaleda has 15 years’ experience in the construction industry with 12 of those in construction disputes. She is a strong advocate of ED&I both within her own organisation and externally through her involvement in initiatives such as the Equal Representation for Expert Witnesses initiative (ERE); the aim of which is to increase the visibility of women experts. Khaleda is an active member of the construction disputes industry and of various institutions and societies including RICS, CIArb and SCL.

She is committed to mentoring others, inspire, inform and influence the environment within which she feels privileged to be working within."