The change is part of the second phase of its management consulting contract for the Univermag Ukraina retail complex in Kiev, Ukraine. The contract is seen as a milestone in Old Mutual Properties' bid to expand its offshore property services.

Old Mutual Properties facilities management consulting team head Richard Murphy says: 'Our focus will be on helping the owners manage and maintain the 25000m² centre.'

The team will prepare specifications and service level agreements for service providers supporting the complex, evaluate the capability of service providers and look to match expertise to the scope of service level agreements.

NCH Capital is investing $20m in the renovation. The project includes a design review of electrical, air conditioning, lift and fire services, building structure and the plumbing.

Murphy says the assignment is similar in scope to projects undertaken by his team for clients in southern Africa, including Canal Walk in Cape Town, the University of Cape Town, Eskom, and Mhlume Sugar in Swaziland.

'An engineering design and services review is exactly that, whether it's in Asia, Africa, America or Europe,' says Murphy. The Ukrainian retail centre is owned by New York-based investment company NCH Capital.

Business Day