Mark Etherington

BSc(Hons) MSc FSCSI FRICS FCIArb | Accredited Mediator

Mark Etherington FSCSI FRICS FCIArb is a construction professional, quantity surveyor and dispute-resolution specialist with over 33 years' experience across Ireland and the UK.

Mark trained as a Quantity Surveyor with Wates Construction and qualified as a Chartered Quantity Surveyor with the RICS in 1997. His early career was site-based, covering procurement, contract administration, commercial management, client liaison and final accounts across a range of projects, including residential, offices, hospitals, schools and fit-out.

In 2003, Mark completed a Master's Degree in Construction Law and Arbitration at King's College London. He subsequently joined Driver Consult Ltd, a London-based construction claims consultancy, where he worked as a Senior Consultant, assisting clients with the preparation, management, and resolution of complex construction claims through arbitration, adjudication, and other dispute-resolution processes.

Mark moved to Ireland in 2005 and joined Bowen Construction Ltd as National Commercial Manager. He was responsible for commercial risk management across the business, including subcontract drafting, contract review, collateral warranties, risk assessment, contentious dispute negotiation and resolution, and wider commercial advice. During this period, he was involved in several conciliation and arbitration proceedings.

In September 2007, Mark joined KPMG Ireland as a Director in Forensics and Head of its Engineering and Construction Group. Over more than eight years, he advised clients on complex construction and commercial disputes and acted as a Quantum Expert in litigation, arbitration and conciliation proceedings.

His work at KPMG also extended beyond traditional dispute work. Mark was involved in construction receivership and restructuring assignments, including appointments involving banks and NAMA, where he advised on recovering and optimising value from development assets and managed multi-million-euro property investments across Ireland.

As lending activity increased, Mark also became involved in project and cost management, overseeing the completion of development projects and advising on planning, development and planning-bond matters, including direct negotiations with planning authorities and local councils. He also advised on recovering construction-related debts following corporate liquidations.

Mark left KPMG in July 2016 to establish ACUA, his independent construction claims and commercial consultancy.

Today, Mark advises employers, contractors and other construction-sector participants on commercial risk, contractual matters, claims and dispute resolution. His work includes the preparation and assessment of construction claims, commercial and contractual advice, adjudication, conciliation and mediation.

With experience spanning site delivery, commercial management, claims consultancy, expert evidence, forensic investigation, development management and dispute resolution, Mark brings a broad practical and technical perspective to complex construction disputes.