Craig Hardcastle.

The work

I founded Hardcastle Advisory Group in Dubai in 2025 after twelve years running the commercial function from the inside on major infrastructure programmes. The firm provides senior contractor-side commercial and claims leadership to infrastructure contractors, consultants and legal teams across the UAE, GCC and UK.

The work runs across the life of a project: pre-contract risk review, live project commercial control, claims, final account and dispute support, and practitioner-led training as a by-product of that work. Every engagement is founder-led: direct senior input, no junior hand-off. Where a matter needs specialist planners, delay analysts, quantum experts or legal counsel, I bring them in — but you deal with the person you thought you were hiring.

I do not provide legal advice. I lead the commercial, contractual-administration and quantum position alongside your legal advisers — working with construction lawyers, not instead of them.

The experience

Senior commercial leadership on a rail and infrastructure programme exceeding £500m under a mix of NEC3, ICC and bespoke contract forms. Commercial Lead on a £300m strategic water programme delivered under an NEC3 alliance, as primary interface with the utility client at director level. Earlier commercial leadership on critical flood defence and flood alleviation infrastructure, including barrier upgrades and pumping stations delivered under NEC3 Option C target cost.

That background brings operator-level fluency across NEC3/4, ICC, JCT, FIDIC and bespoke forms. The way the contract actually works under live delivery pressure. What wins a claim and what falls apart on cross-examination. Built from running them, not advising on them from the outside.

Why Dubai, why now

The Gulf infrastructure pipeline is the most active in the world, and the contracts are increasingly sophisticated. FIDIC dominates, but the alliance discipline, target-cost mechanics and notice rhythm that have driven contractor recovery elsewhere are still relatively rare in Gulf commercial practice. The firm exists to bring that depth to a market where it materially shifts the recovery position.

Hardcastle Advisory Group operates from Meydan Free Zone, Dubai (Licence No. 2536157.01), with UK operations via Quest Commercial Ltd.

How we work

Three engagement models, set out in detail in the capability statement:

• Day-rate for flexible live support.
• Fixed-fee for defined deliverables (contract review, claim preparation, quantum assessment, DAAB submission).
• Retainer for ongoing senior input.

Every engagement starts with a confidential 30-minute call to scope the work and confirm there is no conflict.

Credentials

Experience

12 years contractor-side · NEC operator (A–E)

Based

Dubai & UK

Contracts

FIDIC, NEC3/4, ICC, JCT, bespoke

Disputes

DAAB, adjudication, arbitration support

Sectors

Rail, water, flood defence, infrastructure, utilities

Languages

English

In progress

MRICS (assessment pending) · LLM Construction Law (Strathclyde)

Professional standing

Hardcastle Advisory Group is a founder-led boutique advisory. Much of the work is confidential contractor-side commercial support, so many client names and project details cannot be published — the commercial scenarios on this site are representative and anonymised for that reason. Specialist associates — planners, delay analysts, quantum experts — and construction lawyers are brought in where a matter requires them.

Education

• LLM, Construction Law
  University of Strathclyde · 2025–present
• MSc, Construction Cost Management
  University of Reading · 2015–2017
• BA (Hons), Accounting and Finance
  University of Sheffield · 2008–2012