The New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC) has just announced the appointment of Andrew Eagles to the position of chief executive.

Effective September 29, Eagles will step into the role currently held by Alex Cutler, who has led the organisation since May 2010. Ms Cutler’s final day with the NZGBC will be September 30.

Announcing the appointment, NZGBC board chair Mary-Jane Daly said that in a strong field of candidates, Eagles stood out for several reasons.

“Andrew has a breadth of technical skills relevant to the property, building and construction industries, and has been directly working in the field of sustainability for more than 13 years. His enthusiastic leadership and strategic experience will be an invaluable asset to our organisation.”

Taranaki-born Eagles is currently working in London as CEO of the Brick Development Association, and prior to that was the managing director of Sustainable Homes for nine years. He has an honours degree in public policy from Victoria University of Wellington.

“At Sustainable Homes, Andrew led a business focused on providing sustainability solutions for the built environment, with core services in consultancy and professional training. This is a perfect fit with NZGBC’s work, as we continue to work with the building and construction industries to create healthy, efficient and productive buildings,” adds Ms Daly.

Eagles has been living in the UK for more than 13 years, and is keen to bring back his international experience to help influence the New Zealand market.

He says, “I’m thrilled to have this opportunity, to lead the NZGBC and to return home to New Zealand with my family. I’ve seen the appetite for sustainability in residential and commercial buildings increase worldwide over the past decade, and I hope to inspire others to create the kind of sustainable built environment New Zealand deserves.”