Senior Leadership
Our Senior Leadership Team consists of National and Regional managers, alongside key operational roles. Together they deliver the strategy and vision of the organisation.
Senior Leadership Team
Jeff Macdonald
South Island Operations Manager
Jeff Macdonald
With more than thirty years experience in the construction industry, Jeff is a highly capable Operations Manager and Project Director.
Tony Emery
North Island Operations Manager
Tony Emery
Tony arrived in NZ in 2000 after spending 13 years in Tier 1 commercial construction site-based roles in London. In NZ Tony has spent the last 23 years in a mix of Interiors Management and Commercial Construction Management / General Management roles in different sized businesses.
During that time Tony has built and extensive network of industry contacts and is known for building collaborative teams to deliver high quality project for a wide range of clients.
Rebecca Mitchell
Group Finance Manager
Rebecca Mitchell
Rebecca is a Chartered Management Accountant with a wide range of industry experience in manufacturing and export, heavy equipment machinery, and finance. As Group Finance Manager, Rebecca is passionate about business improvement and is always looking for opportunities to help get things moving. She is currently working on the company-wide systems transformation project and is excited about the future of Leighs Construction.
Arie Moore
Legal and Commercial Manager
Arie Moore
As well as being our Legal and Commercial Manager, Arie is a Director of Reflective Construction Law and a specialist construction and projects lawyer. He is a leader in the construction industry, and takes an active role in the development of the industry’s knowledge and understanding of construction law and common causes of disputes. Arie is currently the President of the New Zealand Society of Construction Law.
Jess Massey
Human Resources Manager
Jess Massey
Jess is a seasoned Senior Human Resources leader with a blend of HR and ER experience within both corporate and government sectors. She has a track record of coaching leaders to effectively support their people, helping them to manage change, performance, and conduct, as well as proven success in local and international recruitment. Passionate about building leadership capability across the business, and growing and developing people to their full potential, Jess believes that successful businesses are those that put people firmly at the heart of everything they do.
Tom Williams
Environmental and Sustainability Manager
Tom Williams
Tom is an environmental science professional with a comprehensive understanding of the practical aspects of environmental engineering and science, across a wide range of construction sectors. As a Certified Environmental Practitioner and Green Star Accredited Professional, Tom is primarily involved in developing and implementing Leighs Environmental Management System, to ensure we are continuously improving our environmental performance, providing a positive contribution to sustainable construction, and conducting services in such a way that minimises any potential adverse effects on the environment.
Kylie Youngman
Learning and Development Advisor
Kylie Youngman
Kylie has international experience in learning and development across public and private sectors, and is passionate about growing capability. She is committed to creating a modern learning environment at Leighs, and building the Leighs brand as a company where their people gain valuable knowledge and learning in their careers. She brings expertise in design, delivery, and evaluation of training. Her background includes learning and development in the following sectors health, finance, legal, and energy sectors.
Paul Dennis
National Health & Safety Manager
Paul Dennis
Paul has extensive experience of over 10 years in Health & Safety, completing and overseeing high-risk tasks in equally high-risk environments. Beginning in the electrical industry, his formative years provided a strong foundation for an appreciation – and now advocacy – of Health & Safety in a commercial environment. Paul is now a credible and trusted leader, mentor, and influencer of positive and sustainable change within Leighs and the wider Health & Safety discipline in New Zealand.
John Redahan
Commercial Manager Taranaki NEWB Project
John Redahan
John is an experienced quantity surveyor, with over 30 years in the commercial
construction industry. He has a reputation for working innovatively to achieve
outstanding outcomes within a capped budget. He is now based full-time on Project Maunga, the New Plymouth hospital.
Neil Hamilton
IT and Process Improvement Manager
Neil Hamilton
Neil has over 20 years of IT construction experience managing large digital transformation projects in New Zealand and the UK. His experience in project delivery, change management, process improvement, and technology, enables him to provide the best outcomes in planning and executing change and optimisation at Leighs. He is responsible for ensuring the company's network infrastructure and associated systems are running smoothly, performing within agreed specifications, and providing a secure platform for the company's business operations.
Dean Velenski
Commercial Manager South Island
Dean Velenski
Dean has been working in the commercial construction industry both in NZ and the
UK for over 25 years. Joining Leighs in 2010, he leads the South Island QS team along
with providing commercial governance to Leighs South Island projects, and has
proven experience managing the financial aspects of complex commercial projects.
With experience in the health sector, being an integral member of the Leighs delivery
team that successfully completed the Burwood Hospital Redevelopment project is a
career highlight.
Greg Crook
Commercial Manager North Island
Greg Crook
Greg has an extensive history spanning over 30 years with top-tier contractors in the construction industry across New Zealand, the Middle East, the UK and South Africa. His strong analytical skills and a keen interest in mentoring and developing those in the early stages of their quantity surveying career make him a well-respected leader of our North Island Commercial Team.
Iain Miller
Project Director
Iain Miller
With more than 20 years of commercial, project and cost management experience, Iain is highly experienced in directing complex projects of scale within challenging environments.
Iain is currently leading the charge on our Scott Base Redevelopment project.
Daniel Tessier
Project Director
Daniel Tessier
Danny is an empowering team leader, with communication skills, and passion that are an asset to any project he is involved with.
Matt Russell
Estimating Manager South Island
Matt Russell
Matt heads up our tendering function. He is a highly skilled estimator who delivers successful outcomes for both Leighs and our clients and partners we work with. His experience includes numerous technical builds throughout the country over 8 years at Leighs and over 20 years in the industry.
Shaun Trowbridge
Project Commercial Lead
Shaun Trowbridge
Shaun has worked in the commercial construction industry both in NZ and the UK for over 25 years, with a wide range of experience including as a QS Consultant. He has managed the commercial aspects of some of Leighs key projects to date, including Scott Base Redevelopment, Lincoln University, and the Art Centre. An integral member of the team, delivering successful project outcomes and developing junior staff.