The Johannesburg Road Agency in South Africa (JRA) has appointed civil engineer Dr Sean Phillips to be its new Managing Director. This comes after a rigorous selection process from long list of applicants. Dr. Phillips holds a Master’s degree in science and management.
He also has a Doctorate in civil engineering. He is expected to assume his new position from May 1st.
Phillips has wide experience in performance monitoring and evaluation at both national and municipal levels. He is also an expert in local authorities’ operational management. Until his appointment, he was the CEO of the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent-a government wing in the national Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, a position he held from April 2015 to April 2016.
Dr. Phillips also spent five years as the director-general of the department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation in the office of the president.
He has held numerous positions both in the private and public sector including the Department of Public Works in Limpopo and Gauteng
In a statement, the JRA said that Phillip’s long experience in engineering together with his strategic leadership and management skills will be a resource as they were embarking on an “exciting new phase” of the city’s journey in roads infrastructure. They expressed optimism in Phillips saying he will be of service to the city and the JRA in its commitment to provide safe, quality, easily accessible and durable roads for the local communities.
Phillips is stepping the shoe of outgoing MD Mpho Kau, who has been in service on an acting capacity. Mr. Mpho will be remembered for helping JRA achieve a clean audit for two consecutive years.
He also played a pivotal role in the JRA’s turnaround through an engineering-based approach to infrastructure development and maintenance. He was dependable in the launch of the flagship bridge projects such as the M1 bridges rehabilitation project. Kau will now resume his position as the executive head of infrastructure development
