Bernard Fanning

Said the following about Kobi Mustafa:

“Kobi achieved the Registered Project Professional Status from the Association of Project Management recently and is a worthy recipient. He’s also achieved a promotion from Senior Project Manager to the Programme Manager, with Network Rail, for the On Network Section development of Crossrail 2. As the lead Project Manager for the scheme Kobi has demonstrated role model leadership and excellent management of change in the last 12 months. He understands the impact change can have on a project’s programme, budget and morale but also the personal impact on each of his team and takes time to work with each member of his team and give them the support to deliver the job. He also encourages us to enjoy our work. The Crossrail 2 development plan has evolved with revelations such as the snap general election and as a manager, coach and mentor Kobi has led the team with passion, knowledge and collaboration.

In 2017 a snap general election was called and this had an impact to the development plans for Crossrail 2 due to the potential for a change in government, meaning certain decisions on scheme progression were delayed. This meant a change to the projects programme and timescales. Kobi managed this in collaboration with Transport for London (the co-client to Network Rail) to help re-baseline a programme and keep the project team aware of progress on the new proposals. There is a chance with change that morale can be affected and the scheme loses momentum however with Kobi’s energy and experience he kept the project team informed and engaged helping keep morale and momentum during this critical period. The project dealt with the change under Kobi’s leadership and now has a clear route to the submission of a Hybrid Bill.

Over the last year the size of the project team has substantially grown and the consultants supporting design have been working with Kobi within the agreed budget to establish a team sufficient of delivering the requirements of the programme. Kobi encourages apprentices and graduates, as well as work experience and the design teams to get involved and help support the development of the project, seeking better ways of delivering the scheme development. He has worked with his team and taken the advice and guidance to establish a robust Data Management team from GRIP 1 to give the project the best chance of success from the beginning. It’s Kobi’s willingness to listen, challenge and collaborate that makes him such a successful Project Manager.

On top of all of this Kobi provides a lot of support to his project team. He expects good performance and challenges his team to live the Network Rail behaviours. Kobi himself is accountable, he will take on a task and drive it to the line with his experience, but he is also willing to bring his team along the journey with him to ensure they always have the chance to learn. He is highly customer driven and challenges himself and his team to reflect on what we are doing and how we are doing it for the customer. Finally Kobi will challenge the way we’ve also done things seeking to get better everyday and he is successful in this because he collaborates with his supply chain, sponsors and co-clients (TfL). The collaboration is fair and firm providing challenge as well as delivering what’s been asked.

As a young project manager he has offered me (and the team) his time, support and knowledge to help us with work issues but also personal issues when it’s appropriate. Kobi treats his team with respect and that in itself garners respect from the team in response. We feel comfortable to challenge but also willing to listen and learn. He is the most honest manager I’ve had to date and has taken performance management up a level with his team. He’s a great boss and a great Project Manager.“