The Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) is an independant, non-profit organisation comprising leaders from all sectors of the South African property industry. Launched in 2007, the GBCSA’s mission is to promote, encourage and facilitate green building in the South African property and construction industry through market-based solutions.

What is Green building
Vision & Mission
Rationale
Board Members
Staff/Team
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World GBC
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Contact Details

Bruce Kerswill

Executive Chairman

Bruce is a Town and Regional Planner (Wits) and MBA (UCT's GSB) by training. He spent several years in the town planning profession, moved into property development, and from there into property asset management and corporate strategy with Norwich Life Properties. When Norwich was taken over by Fedsure, Bruce together with his then MD, Rodney Squire-Howe, started Spire Property Services and assembled Paramount Property Fund, listing it on the JSE in 2001. Bruce was an executive director of Paramount until it was taken over by Growthpoint at the end of 2006. He is currently managing director of Spire Property Group, which provides property management services to private clients.

From his involvement in some significant development projects, Bruce recognised that the lack of knowledge about green building in SA was limiting our efforts in terms of global warming and our progress in terms of what is becoming international best practice and, after meetings with the Green Building Council of Australia, agreed to champion an initiative to set up the Green Building Council of SA. Bruce is currently Executive Chairman of the Green Building Council of South Africa.

Nicola Douglas

CEO

Trained as a Chartered Accountant, Nicola worked in finance in New York and London before entering the property industry in 2001. During her time with the Old Mutual Property Group, Nicola had a wide-ranging exposure to the different elements of property development and management, mainly focussing on new business start ups such as the Old Mutual Joint Venture in India. After a year’s sabbatical spent managing a boutique lodge in Pemba, Zanzibar, Nicola relished the opportunity to re-enter the Property Industry as part of this vitally important and exciting initiative.

Jason Buch

Technical Manager

As the Green Building Council of South Africa Technical Manager, Jason oversees the Green Star SA rating system, including development and implementation of the rating tools and management of related technical training and the Green Star SA Accredited Professional program.

Prior to joining the Council, Jason worked in the green building industry in the United States for 9 years, with previous construction and construction management experience. Most recently, Jason served as a senior green building consultant for one of the largest such consulting firms in the US. Originally trained as a civil engineer, Jason holds a B.S. from Cornell University in New York.

Lisa Parkes

Marketing, Membership and Events Manager

Lisa has a Bachelor of Building Arts degree and a Masters of Town and Regional Planning. Starting off her career with a development management firm she shifted her focus to her passion, all things green and joined Ninham Shand where she spent 7 years as a Senior Environmental Consultant focussing on environmental management. After year’s stint at Rennie Property Management where she served in a facilities and Health, Safety and Environmental management role, she joined the Green Building Council, to reconnect with her passion and to be part at the “Green Building Revolution”.

Jaci Harrison

Jaci is PA to Bruce Kerswill and secretary to the Green Building Council of South Africa. She started working at Spire Property Services in 2005 as Bruce Kerswill's, PA. When Bruce began forming the Green Building Council of South Africa in September 2006, she continued her role as his personal assistant and has come to understand and learn a great deal about the effects of global warming and the vital part that the commercial property sector can play in adopting the concept of green building, through her continued assocation with Bruce. Jaci now forms a vital part of the workings at the Green Building Council of South Africa.

Vusa Zaya

Membership Administrator

"Vusa has a Public Relations Diploma (NMMU) and Honours Degree (CPUT) and started his career as Cultural Officer at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) Cultura Department in 2006. He went on to work as the acting Marketing Manager for "The Bridge at Greenacres" shopping center in his hometown of Port Elizabeth. In 2008 he moved to Cape Town to pursue a career in Public Relations where he joined the Green Building Council. A planeteer and nature-lover at heart, Vusa is thrilled to be part of the GBCSA team and this powerful initiative!

Nick Mulvaney

Senior Technical Coordinator

Joining the GBCSA in March of 2010, Nick brings with him broad experience with the Australian Green Star suite of rating tools gained in his previous role as a Sustainability Consultant with a Melbourne based specialist sustainability consultancy. A qualified Mechanical Engineer, Nick has a range of engineering experience gained in the defence and automotive sectors, however for the last four years he has specialised in sustainability, with a focus on the built environment. Currently completing a Masters in International Urban and Environmental Management at RMIT University (Melbourne), Nick’s priority is the cost-effective and equitable integration of sustainability within the built environment as globally cities and human settlements move towards low-carbon and resource efficient societies. In his spare time, Nick enjoys travelling, sea kayaking, hiking and tennis.

Francois Retief

Technical Coordinator

Francois holds a B-Tech degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. He has worked as a consulting mechanical design engineer within the building industry in Cape Town and most recently in London. It was whilst working in the U.K that Francois first became exposed to green building practices. Realising the potential for positive change and growth within South Africa’s building industry, he returned home and set out to make a difference in his own country.

Francois joined the GBCSA in Feb 2010 as Technical Coordinator. His interest in green building initiatives is strongly supported by his long standing passion for the world of nature.