Emma O'brien
About Emma O'brien
Emma O'Brien is the Associate Director and Leader of Cost Management UKIMEA at Arup, with extensive experience in cost management and commercial services across various sectors.
Current Role at Arup
Emma O'brien has been serving as the Associate Director, Leader Cost Management UKIMEA at Arup since November 2019. In this role, she oversees cost management projects across multiple sectors including building, infrastructure, and MEP. She is based in Birmingham, United Kingdom, where she leads a team of cost managers, providing strategic cost advice for capital projects.
Previous Roles at Arup
Prior to her current role, Emma held several positions at Arup. From 2015 to 2019, she worked as a Senior Commercial Manager, following an eight-year tenure as an Associate in Dublin, Ireland from 2007 to 2015. In these roles, she was responsible for various aspects of commercial and cost management.
Experience at Davis Langdon
Before joining Arup, Emma worked at Davis Langdon as an Associate from 2005 to 2006 in Dublin, Ireland. During her tenure, she was involved in cost management and consulting for various construction projects.
Career at Wicklow Co Co and Nicholas O'Dwyer & Co Ltd
Emma’s professional journey also includes positions at Wicklow Co Co and Nicholas O'Dwyer & Co Ltd. She served as Senior RE Measurement at Wicklow Co Co from 2002 to 2005 in Wicklow, Ireland, and as Senior QS at Nicholas O'Dwyer & Co Ltd from 1997 to 2002 in Dublin, Ireland.
Educational Background
Emma has an extensive educational background in construction and real estate. She studied at the University College of Estate Management, where she obtained a PG Dip in Construction and Real Estate from 2016 to 2018. Additionally, she has a BSc equivalent in Quantity Surveying from The College of Estate Management, completed through distance education from 1987 to 1992.
Professional Expertise
Emma provides strategic cost advice for capital projects, covering the full project lifecycle from Outline Business Case to Final Account. Her expertise includes procurement, commercial, and contract advisory services. She has led cost management projects for both public and private sector clients in the building, infrastructure, and MEP sectors.