Machai Tolosi
At PeopleDem property we believe in celebrating our community by spotlighting black excellence in property. Today we are celebrating Machai Tolosi.
Machai is a Quantity Surveyor and Employer’s Agent with experience delivering high-end office refurbishments, industrial developments, and residential projects. He also serves as the Diversity & Inclusion Lead for RICS Matrics London.
Machai’s journey has not been easy, but he considers himself fortunate to have received support from many people along the way. Above all, he credits his upbringing as the foundation of his success. After migrating from Botswana to the United Kingdom at the age of five, he was raised in a Christian household where his parents instilled the importance of hard work, integrity, kindness, and forward thinking. They taught him that true growth comes from working both hard and smart, while staying grounded in strong values. Even when life feels uncertain in the short term, they encouraged him to trust that opportunities often arrive in the most unconventional ways.
Machai was inspired to pursue a career in the built environment through his uncle, Paul, a Building Surveyor. Reflecting on that influence, Machai shared: “My Uncle Paul really understood me. He recognised that I’m process-driven and sociable, and identified that property would give me the best platform suited to my personality.” It was through conversations with his uncle that he was introduced to Quantity Surveying at university. Paul also highlighted the growing demand for QS professionals and helped Machai see the opportunity not only to build a strong career, but to leave a lasting mark on the industry.
While his family played a major role in shaping his mindset and direction, two individuals stand out in Machai’s professional journey: Mark Watts and Ross Pritchard. Machai worked with Mark at Oxbury, where he laid the foundations for Machai’s development as an effective, efficient, and thoughtful QS and Employer’s Agent. Mark also taught him the importance of building a personal brand and professional network alongside career ambition.
Since moving to London, Ross Pritchard and the associate directors at Christopher Smith Associates have also played a significant role in his growth. Machai particularly values the way they recognised his ambition and desire to drive positive change, while giving him the space and exposure to develop. Through opportunities to engage in senior-level discussions and wider industry circles, they have helped foster both his professional and personal development.
Reflecting on his experiences, Machai said: “Nothing in life comes easy everything is an uphill battle. But having an encouraging circle around you, believing in yourself, and finding comfort in uncomfortable situations can open doors you never imagined possible. Find something missing in your personal life or career and think about what you can do to improve it. You’d be surprised by the opportunities that come once you take that first step.”
Machai is motivated by understanding the detail behind how construction projects come together and enjoys the role he plays in shaping buildings across the UK. He values being involved throughout the entire journey from inception to completion and finds fulfilment in seeing end users appreciate spaces he helped create.
A major factor behind Machai’s achievements has been his commitment to self-reflection and humility. He consistently looks for ways to improve without becoming overly self-critical, allowing him to grow both personally and professionally. Alongside this, he believes that kindness, relatability, and a willingness to learn from others have all contributed significantly to the person he is today.
Another major influence on Machai’s approach to life and work came through sport. Having competed at county and national level across multiple sports, he learned the value of teamwork, camaraderie, discipline, and integrity. Beyond the results themselves, sport taught him the importance of showing up with positive energy, giving his best, and respecting those around him values he now carries into both his professional and personal life.
Despite how he may appear to others, Machai admits he is not naturally as extroverted as people often assume. Whether networking at events, speaking on calls, or approaching people in person, he says these situations can feel exposing and mentally demanding. Like many outwardly confident people, he regularly battles imposter syndrome, but has learned the importance of showing up despite those internal challenges.
Looking ahead, Machai has ambitious plans for the future. He is preparing to launch an independent group aimed at bringing together Christians within the property and construction industry. His goal is to create a safe and welcoming environment where Christians can openly express their faith without fear or prejudice, while also building an inclusive professional network for people from all backgrounds.
Alongside this, he hopes to help establish a stronger and more meaningful events framework for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives among RICS members in London one that genuinely celebrates individuality and creates a more inclusive industry culture. Professionally, he aspires to become an equity partner within a firm and continue contributing to the transformation of the UK construction landscape.
In ten years’ time, Machai sees himself as an Equity Partner or Senior Associate leading major projects, while continuing to mentor and inspire aspiring surveyors. He hopes the networks and communities he is building will contribute to a kinder, more inclusive construction industry, particularly for BAME individuals entering the profession. While career progression remains important to him, leaving the industry in a better place matters just as much.
Machai is also eager to work with some of the industry’s most respected organisations, including Transport for London, The Crown Estate, Grosvenor Group, British Land, Landsec, Canary Wharf Group, and Cadogan Estates. He is particularly interested in delivering high-profile projects for prestigious clients while continuing to strengthen the relationships he has already built throughout his career.
Beyond traditional sectors, Machai is especially interested in the rapidly growing data centre market and other emerging areas within the industry that present opportunities for innovation and impact. He is also passionate about integrating AI into construction and property workflows to improve efficiency and automate processes. In his view, AI is reshaping the industry in a way not seen since the rise of Building Information Modelling (BIM) between 2014 and 2016. Just as BIM created entirely new roles and disciplines, Machai believes AI will generate opportunities and careers that do not yet exist and he is determined to stay ahead of that curve rather than catch up to it.
