Ann: AVL Appoints Chief Operating Officer, page-13

With Richardsons credentials along with Daniel Harris I would assume he would oversee the EPC and himself serve as the M.
That would make the most sense to me ? Why would they need a third party manager ?

This isn't his first rodeo......possibly he already knows who he intends to utilise for the process?
Possibly the whole process is more advanced than you think and you've answered your own question ?

"So once finance is agreed and EPCM is awarded them would be time to seek/ appoint a operating officer with process knowledge to oversee/ approve or disapprove the EPCM contractors design drawings from the basic flow sheet we have for the design of the plant and not prior."