It was a great honour to be elected president of the RMBA during our recent conference in Christchurch.
The conference took a different format this year, combining the president’s meeting, AGM and site tours with a wider “Constructive” industry summit.
I personally thought it was a great first event under this format. I’m sure there will be a few tweaks in 2017, but it was a big success in relation to the goals we set for this flagship event.
On a personal note, I’d like to introduce myself to those who may not know much about me.
Our Wellington-based family business was established in 1964, specialising in residential construction in the northern suburbs. I completed my building apprenticeship out of school in 1990, and went on to study commerce at Victoria University in 1997.
After taking over the family business in 2001, I became a Registered Master Builders member in 2003. My clients were requesting access to House of the Year, the Master Build Guarantee and the Master Builders contract, and it seemed a logical progression in order to enhance our business.
Great mentors
I got involved locally, joining the Wellington executive in 2005. There were some great mentors locally, with Mike Fox chairing the interview committee when I first joined.
Martin Goulden was the Wellington president when I joined the executive, and Rudy Van Baarle was influential during this time as well.
I attended my first conference in the Bay of Islands in 2005, and seeing things on a national scale made me realise this was something I wanted to be a part of — and I haven’t missed a conference since.
My wife Belinda has been a big supporter of mine and all things RMBA. When I became Wellington president in 2010, Belinda led the social side of things, and we had a great partner involvement during that time.
Charity house highlight
The highlight of my time as president was leading a project that built and auctioned a charity house, raising $130,000 for Ronald McDonald House in Wellington.
We have four children — Charlotte, 15, Isabella, 13, and twins Vinnie and Benji, 8. So life is busy! Outside of work I enjoy some golf, following the odd slow horse and reading.
After taking two years out to complete a contract for Fletcher Distribution Ltd, we have expanded into owning the Jennian Homes franchise in Wellington.
I was elected to the RMBA Board in 2012, and elected vice-president to John MacDonald in 2014.
John, and before him, David Fabish, have worked tirelessly to bring the Master Builders Association merger to fruition, and have provided a good insight into what is ahead.
As president, the danger is that I will be spread too thin. Therefore, I would like to focus on three areas:
• Membership benefits.
• Our flagship events — House of the Year, Apprentice of the Year, the New Zealand Commercial Project Awards, and the RMBA conference.
• Local branch and national support office communication.
I am very much looking forward to travelling around the country, meeting you and assisting where possible.
Your feedback is welcome, and you can email me at [email protected], or call me on 021 727 316.
