WHO WE ARE
Ocean Echo Group comprises three core divisions: Ocean Echo Construction, Ocean Echo Plant & Equipment, and Ocean Echo Properties.
While each operates in its own area, all are led by the same team of directors, ensuring aligned leadership and a shared strategic vision across the group.
OCEAN ECHO GROUP
COMPANY STRUCTURE
DIRECTORS
JOHN BLACKIE
Director
John brings over 45 years of experience in the construction industry, successfully delivering over 200 construction projects ranging from residential homes to large-scale commercial and industrial developments.
Following his service in the South African Defence Force’s Special Forces Unit, he honed his technical skills by qualifying as a Tool and Die Maker. Leveraging his precision engineering expertise and problem-solving abilities, John later joined his father’s construction business, which he later took over and expanded into a highly regarded construction and property development company—Ocean Echo Group—which he now co-manages with his two sons.
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With a hands-on approach and an unwavering commitment to every project as a “mission to be completed,” John has earned a reputation for pioneering innovative solutions to even the most complex construction and engineering challenges. His integrity and dedication have fostered long-standing relationships with some of the most successful business owners and property developers on the South Coast of KZN, a testament to his decades-long track record of repeat clients.
LEE BLACKIE
Director
Lee is a seasoned construction professional with over 22 years of experience in large-scale civil engineering, rail, industrial, and commercial building projects. He spent 11 years abroad in various engineering and project management roles, successfully delivering major projects in the UK, UAE, Australia, and Qatar before joining Ocean Echo Group as a Director in 2014. Lee holds a Master’s degree in Construction Project Management and is a Chartered Builder, accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) in the UK.
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Since joining Ocean Echo Group, Lee has continued to lead and deliver large-scale industrial building projects in South Africa, primarily in KwaZulu-Natal. Over the past decade, he has successfully completed multiple projects, including repeat developments for major clients such as Golden Glo, Bargain Group, Amos Group, and MFA Group. In addition, he has spearheaded the development and construction of the Group’s in-house property portfolio, overseeing the completion of approximately 9,000m² to date, with an additional 5,000m² currently under construction.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Heriot Watt University UK – MSc Construction Project Management
(Cum laude)
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Cape Peninsula University – HND Construction Management & Quantity Surveying (Cum laude)
Chartered Institute of Building – Chartered Builder & Construction Manager (MCIOB)
CITB – Site Managers Safety Training Scheme
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CSCS UK – Site Manager
Lloyds & British – Managing Safe Lifting Operations
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Enka Engineering UK – Professional Setting-out Engineer
British Red Cross – First Aid at Work
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Damelin College – Diploma PC Engineering (MCSE & A+)
KEVIN BLACKIE
Director
Kevin joined Ocean Echo Group as a Director in 2018. With a background in Chemical Engineering, he has extensive experience leading major design and construction projects across diverse industries, including food and chemical manufacturing, power and energy, oil and gas, petrochemicals, mining, water and wastewater, and Department of Defence projects. Throughout his career, he has played a key role in process engineering across all stages of the project lifecycle—from design to construction—on projects spanning Australia, Asia, the Middle East, the United States, and Africa.
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Beyond his Chemical Engineering qualifications, Kevin holds a Master’s degree in Risk and Reliability Engineering, recognized by the UK Civil Engineering Industry Advisory Board. He has also earned multiple industry-recognized accreditations in risk engineering and hazardous chemical safety management through the Australasian Institute of Dangerous Goods Consultants (AIDGC). Additionally, he is an internationally accredited Functional Safety Engineer (FSE) with TÜV Rheinland (#15091/17) and an accredited consultant with AIDGC. Kevin is also certified as a design engineer for electrical installations in explosive atmospheres and is accredited by IChemE as a HAZOP Leader.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
MSc. Safety, Risk and Reliability Engineering - Heriot Watt University
Chemical Engineering (HND) -Durban University of Technology
Functional Safety Engineer (TÜV Rheinland – #15091/17)
Nationally Recognised Training: Tafe NSW – Classify Hazardous
Areas UEENEEM052A & UEENEEM053A (Gas and Dust)
Accredited Dangerous Goods and Hazardous Chemical Consultant (AIDGC)
Accredited Department of Defence WHS Auditor (Norton Rose)
HAZOP Team Leader (IChemE)
Nationally Recognised Training: RII40412 Risk Management Processes
Fundamentals of Process Safety Engineering, IChemE