Executive appointments

Fletcher Construction’s incoming Chief Executive, Phil Boylen, has announced several new leadership appointments as the business prepares for what will be one of its busiest seasons with a strong forward order book heading into FY23.

Brian Kirtlan, who is currently Executive General Manager of Infrastructure Major Projects, is moving into a new role of GM Higgins and will lead the business, as well as provide support across the wider team in his areas of expertise.   

Phil Boylen says the appointments show the depth of talent there is within Construction. “Brian is one of the country’s most experienced leaders in the infrastructure construction market. He has significant construction and maintenance experience across a variety of infrastructure sectors including roading, water, irrigation, rail and power. Having his focus across this portfolio supports our strategy of growth in our core areas of operation.  

In other moves Andrew Burgess joins the Executive team as the new General Manager for Brian Perry Civil.  He first joined construction nearly 20 years ago as a site engineer on motorway works into central Auckland and spent nearly 12 years with Construction and another six with Brian Perry Civil, most recently as General Manager of Operations for the Central and Southern Regions. “I couldn’t be more pleased to have Andrew’s years of experience around the leadership table knowing how well respected he is by our teams and customers,” Phil Boylen said.

Another internal promotion is that of Infrastructure Project Manager, Mike Elliot, who becomes General Manager of Major Projects and will lead the delivery of our large projects.  New Zealand-born, his past experience includes work in the UK on the Royal Ascot Racecourse, the M1 Motorway widening in London, the Aquatic Centre for the 2012 Olympics and the M2 motorway in Australia. He’s since spent nearly a decade on projects throughout New Zealand joining Fletcher just over two years ago.

John Salier continues in his leadership of our Buildings business unit with particular focus on delivering NZICC, and the Forman team.

Rounding out the changes the Division’s General Manager of Environmental Health and Safety, Carla Tonks, will be taking on extra responsibilities overseeing quality and sustainability for the Division. Recognising the importance of strong communication to teams and all stakeholders, People & Performance General Manager Rachael Regan-Paterson expands her role as GM of People, Performance to include Communications.

With engineering and innovation as a key part of our delivery offering, Engineering Services Manager, Brendan Attewell, will also report directly into the Chief Executive and spearhead next generation digital engineering solutions, design consultation relationships and development. 

Alongside changes at the Executive level, Phil Boylen says the business is also moving to streamline its operating and leadership model across all business units, to align with the focus on roading and civil infrastructure works.

“The future is bright. There are massive growth opportunities in the market but we must continue to adapt to meet these opportunities and invest in our people, our specialist skills and in the innovation that will set us apart.”

He says Construction’s strategy defines our ambition to become New Zealand’s leading construction and asset services provider.

“With a focus on lower risk, more profitable sectors and a team reshaped to deal with all that’s to come, I’m confident that working together we’ll be able to lead the division and support our customers in a new phase of sustainable growth.”