Hayley Tribble
Highly Commended 2011

At the age of 19, Hayley decided construction was the only profession for her, and has set her sights on excelling in the field ever since. In 2011 she was highly commended in two categories of the NZIOB Awards; the Progressive Building Young Achiever Award, and the Hays Recruitment Under $5 Million category.

This recognition followed successes in her ambitious early career, from her first position as CBD streetscapes ambassador and project assistant for Dominion Constructors’ $30 million upgrade of Auckland’s Queen Street while still studying, to her work on the redevelopment of Coronet Peak ski field as assistant project manager with Arrow International, and her promotion to project manager at the age of 25.

Hayley stayed with Arrow until earlier this year when she left to spend some time setting up systems in her and her husband’s interiors construction business, Simple Solutions Intex. Now, at the age of 29, Hayley is based in Christchurch, and recently took on a role as a project manager with Brosnan Construction.

“For me now, it’s about aligning myself with the right people, who I can learn valuable skills from,” she said. “I’m working with Craig Brosnan, who is a highly experienced project manager, and one of the best in the field. He recently came back from Australia and is now setting up the Christchurch office for Brosnan. I’m helping with that. I’m really excited to see Brosnan set up in Christchurch.”

Being involved in high-profile landmark projects is what makes Hayley tick. “Projects that really have an effect on the community such as schools, churches, infrastructure-type projects are all really rewarding to be involved in and to be able to see the difference the projects make for groups in the community.”

Although for now, Hayley is happy to step away from landmark projects and focus on gaining invaluable ‘grass roots’ practical experience and developing Brosnan’s Canterbury business working alongside Craig and Phil Brosnan. Hayley is on the NZIOB Southern Chapter Board, and lives in Christchurch with her husband Allan and two-year-old daughter Hollie.

Brendan Lindsey
Young Achiever 2012

Although he only won the Young Achiever Award last year, Brendan Lindsey hasn’t stopped working hard, and this year he won the $25-50 million category for his role at Aecom House in central Auckland. Since we spoke last, Brendan, who is still enjoying working for Dominion Constructors, has been promoted to senior project manager. Among other things, he is currently working on a $25 million retail development in Takanini.

“Winning the award last year was definitely a good thing. It’s a really positive thing for your reputation in the industry,” he said. Brendan’s vast experience in the industry has taken him from Europe to the Middle East, working on projects including the Trump International Hotel and Tower in Dubai and the Palm Jumeirah Development.

Now settled back in New Zealand, Brendan is challenging himself working on an array of large projects, but he also has a lot to give back. Recently, he has been integral in the development of Dominion’s new cadetship programme that was launched at the beginning of August. “We have put a programme together that will provide real opportunities for people to develop their skills and work through their chosen career path. We will be recruiting internally first and then approaching universities later in the year. It’s about ensuring we attract the best people out there, the cream of the crop. The opportunities are endless in this industry, and there is definitely some scope out there at the moment.”

Stephen Kleehammer
Young Achiever 2011

During his time in the construction industry, Stephen Kleehammer has had a varied and successful career in which he has worked on diverse projects around the world. In 2011, when he won the Young Achiever Award, he had recently worked in Abu Dhabi as a senior project manager for Turner and Townsend International on a US$450 million hotel, apartment and marina development.

Stephen also spent time working in the United Kingdom as a site manager before returning to New Zealand to set up his own construction management and consultancy company, Scope Project Management, in Hawke’s Bay. Recently, Stephen joined Leighs Construction in Christchurch in the newly created role of design build manager, where he manages the early contractor involvement in projects.

Throughout his career Stephen has maintained a focus on gaining new skills, and has completed a range of qualifications. After finishing a five-year building management cadetship and attaining a New Zealand Certificate in Building, Stephen went on to complete a Bachelor of Construction in Quantity Surveying followed by a Graduate Diploma in Building Management. “Whilst the qualifications are certainly an important achievement, I have also made a concerted effort to align myself with some of the best people in the industry and I am very grateful for the time and valuable knowledge that they have imparted on me,” he said.

During the last two years Stephen has also taken on a part time role tutoring at Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology on the National Diploma in Construction Management/Quantity Surveying programme. “This has been a really rewarding way for me to help others succeed in the building industry.”

Anthony Leighs
Young Achiever 2003

Anthony Leighs started Leighs Construction at the age of 23. Now, 19 years on, the Christchurch-based constructor employs 166 staff and has completed projects from Antarctica to East Timor, not to mention the vast array of projects in New Zealand, mainly centered in Christchurch and the South Island. After winning the Young Achiever Award in 2003, Anthony went on to lead Leighs Construction from strength to strength.

“In 2004 we were awarded some significant work from the New Zealand Government in Antarctica. We were the first private construction company to work down there. Before us, it was all done by the military. Delivering the Hillary Field Centre at Scott Base was a real turning point for the business in many ways. We had a real point of difference. Then in 2008 we were awarded the design and build contract for the New Zealand Embassy in East Timor. ”

Following this, Anthony decided to focus the business more on Christchurch, and after the earthquakes Leighs Construction was involved with various landmark projects in the city including the Cashel Street Container Mall. The company was also involved with many of the significant demolitions in Christchurch, culminating with the demolition of the Crowne Plaza. Looking to the future, Anthony has clear goals.

“We want to position Leighs Construction as one of the leading constructors in New Zealand. Our immediate focus is very much on Christchurch.” Anthony is also chairman of the Registered Master Builders Federation Board.

Stuart Smith
Young Achiever 2004

Now technical director at Beca, Stuart Smith says winning the Young Achiever Award was a pivotal point in his career. “I have no doubt the award played a key role in establishing my reputation in the wider New Zealand construction industry, especially the healthcare sector.” Prior to 2004, Stuart led Beca’s engineering team for the Auckland City Hospital redevelopment, the largest healthcare development in the country to this day. This is a highlight of his career, along with an 18-month secondment to Indonesia where he worked as a resident site engineer on a large condominium development in Jakarta.

Since receiving the award, Stuart has continued to focus on the health sector, delivering major projects for district health boards around the country. His team has developed their specialisation in design for medical and scientific research facilities, and recently delivered the $240 million redevelopment of the University of Auckland’s Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences.

“I still derive enormous satisfaction from delivering large healthcare projects. I find the diversity of challenges that arise from these complex projects endlessly fascinating. My aim is to continue balancing involvement at the strategic level while remaining hands on. I am currently assisting the Ministry of Health and Canterbury District Health Board with work on their detailed business case and concept designs for the redevelopment of Burwood and Christchurch hospitals.”

And for young people entering the profession, Stuart says: “Progression in the industry is all down to the relationships you develop, the way you conduct yourself, and the wider profile and reputation you develop along the way. Awards programmes such as the NZIOB programme provide a great opportunity to showcase technical excellence, which forms the basis of an engineer’s reputation.”

Jessica Kirkwood
Highly Commended 2008

Jessica Kirkwood’s valuable contribution to the industry was recognised just three years after she started in construction. Her work on the Sentinel Apartments in Takapuna was the primary driver for her highly commended placing in 2008. Originally inspired to get into the industry through architecture, Jessica decided part way through her degree to embark upon a double degree and

include construction management in her training. “I decided to pursue a path working for the contracting side of the fence and I haven’t looked back,” she said. Continually inspired by the challenging and collaborative nature of the industry, Jessica finds seeing the finished product extremely rewarding. “Once it is completed and looks polished, it makes all the hard work worthwhile.”

Jessica, who currently holds the position of design manager at Ebert Construction, has been involved in some standout projects in her relatively short career to date,including working on the new Fonterra UHT plant in Waitoa, Auckland’s Rhubarb Lane development, the Zest Apartments and a state rehabilitation centre in Western Australia. “A highlight of my career was the nomination and finalist placement in the Young Achiever Award. The biggest effect this award had for me was the personal one; it gave me confidence about who I am and what I do.”

Now, with a number of years in the industry behind her, and a partner and young daughter, Jessica has her sights set on further developing her skills and knowledge of the sector while maintaining a healthy work/life balance. “I really enjoy the collaborative space I fill as a design manager, between the builders at the coal face and the designers who create the vision for a project. I try to maintain a work/life balance by ensuring I work hard and efficiently during the hours that I am at work, and consciously try to leave work at work.”

Jessica lives on Auckland’s North Shore with her partner and one-year-old daughter.