At PeopleDem property we believe in celebrating our community by spotlighting black excellence in property. Today we are celebrating Nii Klotey Quaye.
Nii Klotey is the Founder and Managing Director of Quaye Services, bringing 17 years of experience in Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management to the practice. His people-first approach has established him as a trusted Chartered Surveyor among clients, contractors and colleagues alike. Beyond the office, Nii Klotey enjoys spending time with his family, practising martial arts and travelling solo to different countries across Africa.
As a full member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and an active Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) Assessor, Nii Klotey chairs a six-weekly APC working group, providing support to candidates on their journey towards becoming chartered surveyors. This reflects his passion for encouraging individuals to be their truest selves in the workplace while flourishing in their careers as surveyors.
Nii Klotey’s journey into the property and construction industry began when he studied Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying at the University of Manchester. His initial interest in the profession developed during a conversation with a careers adviser at college. At the time, Nii Klotey was unsure about the direction he wanted to take, although he knew he wanted to attend university. Recognising that he was good with numbers and communicating with people, his careers adviser recommended Quantity Surveying as a potential career path. After conducting some research and discovering that quantity surveyors could earn £100,000 in Dubai, Nii Klotey decided that the profession was the right choice for him.
While studying at the University of Manchester, Nii Klotey was recruited by the contractor Balfour Beatty, which provided him with work experience throughout his degree, followed by an industrial placement. In an interview, Nii Klotey described this experience as an invaluable introduction to an industry about which he initially knew very little. Unlike many of his peers, who came from construction backgrounds and had parents working as bricklayers and plumbers, Nii Klotey had no direct family connection to the industry. His time at Balfour Beatty gave him the opportunity to develop his understanding of the sector, gain practical experience and build the foundations of his professional career. Following his graduation, Balfour Beatty offered him a permanent position.
Nii Klotey worked at Balfour Beatty for almost seven years, progressing through several roles and gaining extensive experience in Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management. As a Trainee Quantity Surveyor, he assisted the Project Quantity Surveyor with the commercial management of a 49-bedroom front-of-house extension to an existing hotel. He also compiled data that supported a successful £550,000 insurance claim by implementing and enforcing a daily progress and expenditure tracking system. In addition, he procured, let and managed more than 20 subcontractor packages and negotiated their final accounts, developing a strong understanding of procurement, cost control and commercial management.
Following his graduation, Nii Klotey progressed into the role of Graduate Quantity Surveyor, where he worked on a variety of projects, typically involving the refurbishment of internal offices and external houses, with contract values ranging from £350,000 to £3.7 million. His responsibilities included procuring and letting subcontractor packages, managing subcontractors and their final accounts, preparing Cost Value Reconciliation reports, negotiating variations and agreeing final accounts with clients. Through robust subcontractor scope management and the value engineering of client variations, Nii Klotey consistently exceeded profit margins by approximately 10% while meeting client budgets. He also introduced a variation tracking system that encouraged clients’ Project Managers to agree and issue Compensation Events within the specified contract periods. His responsibilities further included formulating, agreeing and preparing contract sums, as well as producing appropriate tender and contractual documentation for each project.
In his final role at Balfour Beatty, Nii Klotey worked as a Quantity Surveyor within the finance team. He supported a six-person OPCO finance team, drawing on his on-site experience as a surveyor to obtain the necessary information from project surveyors for periodic reporting to senior management. He also translated the finance team’s requests and targets into practical requirements for on-site surveyors and Commercial Managers. This helped improve their understanding of expectations and streamline processes, ensuring the accurate and timely delivery of information.
Following an unfortunate redundancy, Nii Klotey decided to take a different path and establish his own business. Having grown up with the teachings of Marcus Garvey and Louis Farrakhan, he developed a strong belief in ownership, self-determination and the ability to create opportunities rather than simply wait for them. Drawing on the confidence instilled in him from a young age, Nii Klotey viewed this turning point as an opportunity to build something of his own. In 2020, he founded Quaye Services.
Quaye Services is a dynamic and innovative company committed to providing high-quality cost and project management services to clients across multiple sectors. The company comprises a team of highly skilled professionals who pride themselves on delivering exceptional results that meet and exceed client expectations. Its extensive experience, combined with a strong commitment to quality and community, positions Quaye Services as an ideal partner for clients seeking effective and reliable consultancy services.
In a rapidly evolving industry, Quantity Surveying remains a fundamental requirement for successful property development. Quaye Services is well positioned to support clients in delivering successful projects through a comprehensive range of services, including cost planning, procurement and tendering, post-contract cost management, risk and value management, dispute and claims resolution, and drone solutions.
The founders of Quaye Services bring more than 20 years of combined experience, having provided consultancy services on new-build and refurbishment projects across a range of high-profile developments. Their experience spans everything from small loft conversions and estate regeneration to commercial and retail developments, demonstrating the breadth of their expertise across different project types and sectors.
At the heart of Quaye Services’ approach to consultancy is the belief that surveyors should possess a broad understanding of not only the construction industry but also society as a whole. One of the company’s key strengths lies in its Quantity Surveying roots in main contracting, which enable its team to work seamlessly with the builders they manage on behalf of clients. This practical understanding of the construction process contributes to greater cost certainty, more efficient tendering and developments that achieve best value.
Quaye Services’ commitment to excellence, innovation and client satisfaction has earned the company a loyal client base and a strong reputation within the industry. These principles are underpinned by a set of core values that guide its work and relationships with clients, stakeholders and the wider community.
Integrity is central to the company’s operations, with Quaye Services committed to delivering its services with honesty and transparency while building trust with clients and stakeholders. Excellence drives the team to achieve outstanding results that meet and exceed client expectations, while innovation encourages the continuous exploration of new and effective ways to solve problems and respond to clients’ evolving needs. Teamwork is equally important, as the company recognises the value of collaboration and works closely with clients and stakeholders to achieve shared goals. Finally, sustainability reflects Quaye Services’ commitment to promoting sustainable development and environmental stewardship, ensuring that its projects have a positive impact on the communities they serve.
Beyond its professional services, Quaye Services is dedicated to making a meaningful difference through community-focused initiatives. The company firmly believes that building strong relationships with local stakeholders and supporting sustainable development are essential to its long-term success. Its team is committed to creating a positive social impact and fostering lasting partnerships with the communities it serves.
Nii Klotey’s story is an inspiring example of how determination, self-belief and a commitment to personal growth can create opportunities for others. His journey demonstrates to young Black boys that there is a place for them in the construction industry and, importantly, that they can progress beyond employment to become business owners and create opportunities of their own. From entering an industry about which he initially knew very little to gaining nearly seven years of experience at Balfour Beatty and founding Quaye Services, Nii Klotey’s journey reflects the power of ambition, resilience and ownership.
It is a pleasure to share Nii Klotey’s story. His commitment to supporting aspiring surveyors through his work as an APC Assessor and chair of an APC working group further demonstrates his dedication to investing in the next generation of professionals. As Quaye Services continues to develop, we are excited to see how the company grows and how Nii Klotey’s continues to inspire, support and create opportunities for the next generation of Quantity Surveyors.
