It used to be said that a QS was someone who knows the cost of everything (construction related) and the value of nothing. The QSs I know have moved a very long way on from that! For the UK and throughout the Middle East they are an essential part of the team for delivering quality projects from the outset. Some of my best freinds are QSs!
On one more serious point, it will be interesting to see what the agreement with CCC turns out to be. They could be taking on more of a Construction Management role rather than being a prime contractor.
Unfortunately I have yet to see a project with a contractor / investor where the contractor was able to make more from their investment than they could make from construction claims.
I hope I'm wrong on this one.