Board and Senior Management

Pamela Bell is the inaugural Sir Mark Dunajtschik Chair and Professor of Construction at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, where she is leading the development of new Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes in advanced construction, launching in 2026.

Pamela has held senior leadership roles across the construction sector, including as Chief Everything Officer at the Building Institute Aotearoa (formerly New Zealand Institute of Building), where she championed professional development and industry recognition. She is an experienced innovation consultant and board director, serving a range of organisations from start-ups to council-controlled entities and commercial enterprises in the built environment sector.

As recent Chair of the New Zealand Construction Industry Council (NZCIC), Pamela provided strategic leadership for advocacy and collaboration initiatives. Her expertise spans innovative construction methods, affordable housing, and value-added timber, with a particular focus on offsite manufacturing, design-thinking, and future-focused governance.

Pamela’s background includes high performance sport (1998 Olympics), research (author of ‘Kiwi Prefab’), entrepreneurship (founder of PrefabNZ, Fruition Apparel, and NZ Snowboard Academy), and governance roles with Urban Plus, Seaview Marina, Abodo Wood, ConCOVE, and BRANZ. She founded PrefabNZ in 2010, evolving her Master of Architecture thesis into a national peak body, book, and museum exhibition, and led the organisation until 2019.

Pamela is a recipient of the Victoria University of Wellington Alumni Award (2019) and has contributed to the New Zealand Institute of Directors through articles and workshops on design thinking and governance.

Stuart has worked in the infrastructure and commercial property sectors for most of his career. He is a director and former chief executive of a private commercial property fund, Sustainable Property Investments, and is also the chair of Home Holdings Ltd Partnership, the investment arm of the Home Foundation, which aspires to a world where everyone has a home.

Stuart was a full time Commissioner and the economist on the Independent Hearings Panel for the Auckland Unitary Plan (2014-2016) and was Chair of the Independent Assessment Panel for the Government’s $1 billion Housing Infrastructure Fund (2017/2018).

He was a Director at the economic consultancy Sapere Research group for sixteen years where his practice focused on the application of price regulation to electricity, telecommunications and gas networks, and airports, and their business strategy. Stuart also worked on RMA reform and the design of infrastructure financing arrangements to unlock housing developments.

Stuart commenced his career at The NZ Treasury where he spent seven years in the early 1990s. An economist and chartered accountant, he holds a Bachelor of Management Studies (1st Hons) and a Masters of Commerce & Administration (1st Hons).

Adrian Wimmers brings over 30 years of professional experience as an infrastructure, project finance, and commercial advisor to the public sector. He spent more than 26 years with KPMG in New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands, including 15 years as a Partner in KPMG New Zealand’s Deal Advisory team. Adrian has specialised in Public Private Partnerships, social infrastructure, investment strategy, Better Business Cases, value for money, and public sector commercial transactions.

Adrian played a key role in the establishment of Te Waihanga, New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, through an almost two-year secondment. He has also twice worked for the Treasury’s former Crown Company Monitoring Advisory Unit, advising Ministers on Crown company performance.

Currently, Adrian is committed to corporate governance, project, programme and portfolio governance, and commercial advisory roles on an independent basis.

He has over 20 years of not-for-profit governance and advisory board experience, and is currently Deputy Chair of the Fale Malae Trust.

Adrian is a member of CPA Australia and the Institute of Directors, and is a Fellow of Leadership New Zealand. He holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Queensland and a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration from Victoria University of Wellington.

Phil is a seasoned executive with extensive commercial, operational, and corporate affairs experience at in New Zealand’s corporate and government sectors. He is currently Chief Bulk Cargo, Engagement and Sustainability Officer at Lyttelton Port Company.

His role oversees bulk cargo operations at Lyttelton Port, with a strong emphasis on health and safety due to the complex, multi-operator environment. Key responsibilities also include managing relationships with Iwi, external stakeholders and the wider community, as well as overseeing both external and internal communications.

Phil is also responsible for environmental management, ensuring operational and infrastructure compliance with legislation and resource consents, and handling regulatory matters for port development. He also leads the development and implementation of sustainability strategies, including climate and waste targets, emissions reduction plans, and integrated reporting.

Phil worked previously as the General Manager for the Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and for Air New Zealand as Head of Government and Industry Affairs, and managed long-haul market expansion in their Networks team as Head of Commercial Projects. He also worked in Parliament in various roles, including as Deputy Chief of Staff in the Office of the Prime Minister.

He is currently a Trustee of the Bone Marrow Cancer Trust, and is a past board member of the Tourism Industry Association of New Zealand (now Tourism Industry Aotearoa).

Phil has a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Political Science from the University of Canterbury.

Brendon has 30 years’ experience in the development and delivery of large-scale assets in New Zealand, Mexico and the United States.

He studied Chemical Engineering at the University of Canterbury and has held technical, project finance and commercial roles with the New Zealand Dairy Board, Contact Energy, GE Energy and Mercury Energy.

Brendon has an extensive background in the dairy, energy, forestry and water sectors, and has a depth of experience working within and with Maori. Brendon's whakapapa includes Ngati Hikairo and Ngapuhi.

Brendon's governance experience includes Watercare, Scion (New Zealand Forest Research Institute), Hiringa Energy, Workforce Development Council - Waihanga Ara Rau, Waikato Regional Skills Leadership Group, Tainui Kawhia Incorporation and Te Whakakitenga o Waikato.

He has held Board committee roles in Audit and Risk, Digital Transformation & Climate Change.

John Sproat is an experienced corporate lawyer and company director with more than 30 years’ experience in capital markets, corporate and project finance. After graduating from the University of Canterbury with a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and a Bachelor of Arts, John spent more than 30 years at Chapman Tripp, including 23 years as a partner.

John retired from the firm in 2014 and worked in the Middle East for nearly three years. Since returning to New Zealand, he has held a range of governance roles, including on the advisory panel of the Provincial Growth Fund and, more recently, on the boards of New Zealand Post, Kiwibank and Marsden Maritime Holdings.

John is currently on the board of Whatever it Takes Trust, an entity established to help people with mental health and addiction needs in Hawke’s Bay, including as a community housing provider. He is also on the board of Waitutu Holding Company Limited, a Māori-owned forestry entity, and sits on the investment advisory committees of two Tuwharetoa asset-owning entities, Tupu Angitu LP and Opepe Farm Trust.

As the Chief Executive Officer, John is responsible for the delivery of a wide range of important infrastructure projects across New Zealand. A Chartered Professional Engineer with over 25 years of experience, John has played a key role in managing large-scale projects, including recovery and rebuilding efforts in central Christchurch.
Known for his ability to make decisions while considering everyone’s input, 

John has earned respect across the industry. He oversaw the expansion of the company’s remit in 2024.

John’s leadership has driven complex, stakeholder-focused infrastructure projects, navigating diverse political interests and ensuring balanced, effective outcomes. With a strong background in vertical building design and construction, he excels at integrating commercial goals with the Crown's broader objectives.

Greg leads a diverse infrastructure delivery programme covering a range of complex construction projects in Christchurch, Auckland and Wellington. His team of more than 20 people partner with client agencies to oversee projects from the initiation phase through planning, execution and eventually closeout. Greg has a military engineering background and has significant experience in major infrastructure delivery. This includes playing a key role in the development of the Christchurch post-quake recovery plan, the first phase of the city’s Anchor Project delivery, initial work on the Lincoln University/AgResearch Joint Facility, programme management responsibilities with the Earthquake Commission, and leading the Ministry for Primary Industry’s Plant Health and Environment Capability Programme which seeks to replace the current biosecurity facilities in Auckland.

Richard leads the company’s engagement with central government and other Crown organisations. His team is responsible for ensuring the company’s capabilities are well understood, with a focus on building relationships and identifying opportunities for Crown Infrastructure Delivery to take on new infrastructure projects. Richard’s team also works to ensure Crown Infrastructure Delivery has a seat at the table in key policy discussions, and that the company’s perspectives are positively influencing the development of infrastructure-related policy. Richard has held senior policy and management roles at the Ministry of Education, Land Information New Zealand and Waka Kotahi and also has experience in the private sector with TSA Management. Richard works out of the Wellington office and lives on the Kāpiti Coast with his wife and two daughters. When not transporting his daughters to activities he enjoys playing football and watching all forms of sport.

Sue oversees the development, design and delivery of the People and Capability strategy, including recruitment and change management, to ensure the company is fit for purpose. Sue is also responsible for the company’s Health Safety and Environment team, which works with both staff and external contractors on site. Sue had over 20 years’ experience in human resources positions with large organisations such as Westpac, Meadow Mushrooms and most recently Lincoln University, before she joined Ōtākaro during its establishment in 2016. Sue lives in Christchurch with husband John. She is passionate about developing and nurturing people, and wellbeing. In her spare time she can be found around the Port Hills either on a bike or on foot, or browsing around interior design shops.

Sam has 20 years’ legal experience in New Zealand, Ireland and the UK. He is a leading construction and commercial lawyer and for the last 15 years has worked in-house for energy and construction companies, at EDF Energy in the UK and at Genesis Energy and Fulton Hogan in New Zealand. Sam was Fulton Hogan’s first New Zealand-based lawyer and over his eight-year tenure, he developed and led a team of senior lawyers supporting Fulton Hogan’s large and diverse New Zealand business. Sam joined the company in November 2022 as General Counsel and Company Secretary. Sam lives in Auckland with his wife and two young children. He is passionate about construction, infrastructure, and health and safety, and in his spare time is actively involved with youth cricket and football.

Ken is a chartered accountant, director and senior executive with leadership experience in the construction, wholesale/distribution, agribusiness and engineering sectors. Auckland-based, Ken spent many years in Christchurch and is excited to support the company to turn a Christchurch success story into a nationwide one. Leading the Corporate Services unit, comprising Project Services, Finance and IST, Ken brings significant systems and business transformation experience. In his spare time he enjoys track walking, mountain biking and watching football.