Samir Govind stepped down as national president of the New Zealand Institute of Building at the organisation’s annual general meeting on June 27, at the end of a two-year term that arguably covered some of the toughest times the New Zealand construction sector has seen of late.

Despite the challenges of the last two years, Samir believes he has been able to steer the organisation in a positive direction by developing the quality membership, as well as ticking off other boxes including launching an online professional development platform and holding the first national industry-wide construction conference in many years.

The unassuming structural engineer has a reserved manner, and is unobtrusively efficient. After graduating from the University of Auckland in May 1996, Samir joined Beca in Auckland and has stayed with the company ever since. In 2004 he moved to Christchurch and in 2006 set up a structural engineering office in the city, which he still heads. “It was the first time I had ever seen Christchurch. I had never been to the South Island. So I went down there and networked, and as a result we set up the Christchurch structural business unit. It quickly grew to six or seven people. The team now has about 50 staff members,” he said.

In 2007 he was the recipient of the NZIOB Progressive Building Young Achiever Award and the Association of Consulting Engineers New Zealand Future Leader Award. “The highlight of my career was picking up the 2010 IStructE Award for the NZi3 Innovation Institute at the University of Canterbury.”

Samir particularly enjoys networking and leading a team, two characteristics that have seen him succeed as NZIOB national president. “I have worked hard. I’m not the most outspoken person, but I just get things done. That’s my style. We’ve been able to achieve a lot over the last two years within the NZIOB. The finances look better, we have a more quality membership base, and membership is growing,” he said.

“It’s about trying to understand the issues and get everyone on board working together, to get that common direction. The NZIOB is working towards becoming an organisation that provides a professional industry-wide mark standing by offering education.”

His experience as NZIOB national president has led Samir to seek out other leadership positions. He is now in the process of joining the Institute of Directors in New Zealand, as well as being nominated for the board of trustees at his children’s school.

Incoming president-elect Warren Chapman has had a vast and varied career in construction, taking him from Westport to London, and beyond. After completing a Ministry of Works cadetship in 1970, and moving on to a position with the Ministry of Works Bridge Design Office in Wellington, Warren headed to London in 1974 to work for Farrow Construction.

“I loved the United Kingdom experience. New Zealanders have a unique way of being classless. I came in with that Kiwi attitude and was able to break down barriers in that organisation, so I got recognised by senior management early on.” During his time in the United Kingdom, Warren worked on projects including the halls of residence at London University, and a toxicology laboratory for Imperial Chemical Industries. He also worked on major defence projects in the Northern Hemisphere.

Back in New Zealand in 1977, Warren joined Cubitts, and then moved to Mainzeal in 1978, where he was involved with projects including Botany Town Centre, North Harbour Stadium, and Mt Eden Prison. After 34 years with the company, Warren started Auckland-based Chapman Consulting in late 2012, providing a range of professional management services to the construction industry.

Despite having a career spanning 45 years behind him, Warren’s passion for the industry is as strong as ever, and his goals for the future are clear. “It’s an assertive industry. It’s aggressive, but it’s highly pleasurable. I see the future as a challenge because the focus is going to be on two places; the Auckland, Waikato and Tauranga triangle, and central Canterbury.”

As NZIOB president-elect Warren is ready to take the reigns and has high hopes for the organisation over the next two years. “We are aiming to improve industry collaboration so the NZIOB can become the recognised voice of the industry. We will undertake a review of the NZIOB Strategic Plan early next year to re-look at our objectives, and look at improving membership uptake. We’re also looking at developing more industry-related engagements and events, such as the conference, which will now become a bi-annual event.”