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Blaise Pearce to lead Arup’s Southeast Asia tunnelling business

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Trish Sunga Trish Sunga Australasia Press Office,Sydney
17 November 2020

Arup has appointed Blaise Pearce to lead the Southeast Asian tunnelling business, driving technical excellence in major railway and infrastructure work.

With more than 30 years’ experience delivering large-scale critical infrastructure as an underground construction specialist, Blaise has extensive technical experience in all aspects of tunnel shafts, deep excavation and associated works from planning to construction.

His career has taken him across the world to work on diverse portfolios in Southeast Asia, India and Europe, including holding directorial and senior level project management roles at Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) and Malaysia’s Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRT Corp). 

Commenting on his appointment, Blaise said, “Arup is an established leader in sustainable tunnel design and constructability, and an employer of choice for high-calibre engineers.” 

“

I look forward to building on Arup’s existing tunnelling confidence and capability in this region, bringing my Southeast Asian experience to win good work and drive resilient and sustainable outcomes with our clients. ”

Blaise Pearce Blaise Pearce Southeast Asia Tunnelling Leader

During his 14 years at the LTA, Blaise was responsible for underground construction projects from conceptualisation through to construction and handover to system installations for Singapore’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) lines including the North-East Line, then-Asia’s first fully automated ‘driverless’ metro system, as well as the Circle and Downtown Lines. 

In the eight years before joining Arup, he was Director of Tunnels and Underground Structures at Malaysia’s MRT Corp, working on the Klang Valley MRT from conceptualisation, through tender and construction to the handover to the railway operator for lines 1, 2 and 3.

Blaise Pearce Blaise Pearce
Commenting on his appointment, Blaise said, “Arup is an established leader in sustainable tunnel design and constructability, and an employer of choice for high-calibre engineers.”

Blaise’s appointment provides Arup with an holistic understanding of client objectives, networks, practical industry knowledge and fresh perspectives. Based in Singapore, he will be supported by a strong team across Southeast Asia.

Arup’s Global Rail Leader, TC Chew said he was delighted to have Blaise join the firm, bringing his invaluable developer-owner and contracting experience to one of the largest tunnelling teams in Arup.

“

Having worked with Blaise on some of the most challenging rail projects, I have no doubts in his leadership. His deep technical experience will forge new and innovative approaches, and ensure we are equipped to meet challenges and opportunities in the region and globally. ”

Tai Chong Chew, Global Rail Leader TC Chew Director
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