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Our Team

Regional Manager, Upper North Island

Gavin Smith

Bachelor of Construction (Construction Management)

As Regional Manager for the Upper North Island, Gavin leads the pursuit and delivery of Brosnan’s more complex and challenging remediation, refurbishment, and restoration projects.

He is renowned for introducing and applying innovative approaches to construction challenges that minimise disruption and reduce project delivery times. For example, Gavin drove the development of a world-first, multi-storey suspended scaffold system for the Spencer on Byron remediation project, critical to maintaining the building’s operability during construction. His involvement in its development led to him being a finalist in the Innovations Category for the 2021 NZIOB Awards for his innovative work on the project.

Gavin quickly gains the trust and confidence of all project stakeholders through his sound planning and meticulous attention to detail. Gavin’s passion for achieving excellence in construction is driven by his first-hand Body Corporate experience that underpins an empathetic approach.

“Gavin led the team to successfully design, construct and install the hanging access system at the Spencer on Byron Hotel. Gavin quickly understood our concerns as a hotel operator and how the proposed works would affect our business.

Throughout the design, build, and delivery of the hanging access system, Gavin’s attention to detail was superb, but his ability to be approachable and willing to work together was what made the difference.

Gavin was great to work with, making what could have been an extremely challenging project uncomplicated and to the standard we required.”
- Greg Remmington, Director NZ Castle Resorts and Hotels

Regional Manager, Central North Island

Simon Litten

Higher National Diploma in Building & Construction
NZIOB

Integrity and collaboration are the hallmarks of Simon’s approach.

With diverse and wide-ranging experience, Simon brings over 35 years of industry knowledge to the team. Having operated in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato regions since 2005, Simon understands the Central North Island's local conditions and distinctive culture.

Simon builds relationships of trust with clients, consultants, subcontractors, suppliers, and colleagues. One of his strengths is his broad technical knowledge, gained from decades in the construction industry, launched by a cadetship in the United Kingdom.

With a leadership style that empowers others, Simon allows his team flexibility to make decisions and encourages big-picture thinking. His personal philosophy aligns with Brosnan’s, believing that the best way to restore confidence in construction is to challenge the status quo, develop the best solutions, and continuously look for ways to improve.

Regional Manager, Lower North Island

Daniel Benton

Bachelor of Building Science in Project Management/Sustainable Systems Engineering
Certified Associate in Project Management

Daniel’s focus on building relationships allows him to bring out the best in the Brosnan team in the Lower North Island. His education, hands-on experience in Wellington, and long-standing relationships make him an effective Regional Manager. Daniel’s team knows they can rely on him to be clear about goals and objectives, enabling collaboration and confident decision-making.

Daniel’s passion for delivering solutions to complex construction questions is what led him to Brosnan. The company’s vision and values guide his decisions without restricting his creative, out-of-the-box thinking. Daniel is drawn to building remediation, refurbishment, and restoration projects that provide him the opportunity to be a part of giving older buildings new life.

His varied experience across companies and sectors has given him a thorough understanding of the commercial and financial realities of the construction industry in New Zealand. Daniel applies his corporate skills to volunteering positions at the Lowry Bay Yacht Club and has volunteered with the Wellington Rowing Club.

Regional Manager, South Island

Reece Hutton

Higher National Diploma Civil Engineering

Reece leads his team to collaboratively develop innovative solutions that are customer driven. For Reece, getting great feedback from a satisfied customer is the ultimate confirmation of a job well done.

Producing a good product and having a satisfied client is at the forefront of everything Reece does. He builds strong relationships with clients, gaining their confidence by quickly solving issues, bringing a spirit of fairness to all negotiations, and consistently looking for opportunities to add value.

A solid background in construction management enables Reece to make experienced-based contributions around methodology and the buildability of projects that deliver value for money. In live environments, Reece and his team focus on managing and minimising disruption by establishing pathways for communication and responding to the needs of those affected most.

Reece is also a strong advocate of Brosnan’s culture of learning, mentoring and support. He ensures he is always accessible to his team and is someone they can fall back on when needed.

"I can’t tell you how many times Brosnan has gone above and beyond for us, which I so appreciate. We have been incredibly fortunate to have such a talented, professional, and committed team. The team culture and integrity is second to none. The result to our complex has been exemplary.”
- Carly Stewart, Treasurer, Oak Shores Body Corporate 355492

“I am writing to express my thanks for the way you and your team approached the build of stage 3 at Shotover. It was clear from the outset that your mindset was positive and solution focused. Brosnan delivered a quality build on time.

What impressed and pleased us throughout the whole process was how you genuinely engaged us as the client. It was evident to us you were determined to work and build a product in such a way that satisfied us and met our needs and expectations.“
- Ben Witheford, Principal, Shotover Primary School

Chief Executive

Geoff Nash

Executive MBA
Bachelor of Construction (Construction Economics)

"Geoff is a new-generation construction leader that is pushing Brosnan and the industry forward."
-Malcolm Fleming, Former Chief Executive, NZIOB

Geoff's passion for achieving excellence in construction is driven by personal experience. Having experienced the trauma of a leaky home himself, he is highly empathetic with those in a similar position. This has inspired Geoff to pioneer a company vision geared toward building confidence in construction.

As CEO of Brosnan, Geoff has developed customer-focused business structures and methodologies that minimise disruption, ensure quality and provide cost transparency, as applied to building remediation, refurbishment, and restoration.

Geoff remains closely connected to the customer's situation, leading a dedicated and passionate team that place this shared purpose and vision at the heart of all they do. He consistently seeks to understand the customer's challenges, champion innovative solutions that challenge the status quo and drive continuous improvement for Brosnan and the construction industry.

"It is through Geoff's thorough technical ability, commercial and political awareness that he can remain calm and professional, whilst keeping his sense of humor. This makes Geoff a pleasure to work with. Geoff is a trustworthy, and approachable individual whom I have every confidence in".
-Hatish Padharia, MRICS, Director, Perficio Consultants Ltd

Chief of Strategy

Brett McMeekin

Bachelor of Commerce

With a proven track record in strategic leadership and a passion for getting things done, Brett spearheads the strategic vision at Brosnan.

Brett brings a wealth of experience from diverse backgrounds, including Blue-Chip Corporates and related industries. Most recently, he successfully managed his own business, where Brosnan was a valued client. He has served on the senior leadership teams of prominent companies such as Lion, Spark, FairFax Media, and Phillips Electronics, among others.

Brett is well-travelled and has immense networks through New Zealand and Australia. He is comfortable on a building site, around a boardroom table or in a restaurant.

As Chief of Strategy, Brett will lead the charge in aligning Brosnans’ growth, business development, communications, brand, marketing, and strategy functions. The overarching goal is creating a first-class experience for customers, employees, and suppliers.

In a nutshell, Brett's job is to future-proof our business with opportunity.

Chief Operating Officer

Andre Du Plessis

National Diploma in Business Studies, Higher National Diploma in Business Studies

Backed by over 30 years of construction experience, Andre has the comprehensive skill set required for this national leadership role. With a background as a quantity surveyor/estimator in the construction industry, Andre’s natural leadership and team-building skills quickly enabled him to step up to increasingly senior management roles.

Andre is responsible for driving strategic initiatives to optimise efficiency and productivity. With the four Regional Managers and the General Managers of Brosnan's business units reporting to him, Andre facilitates collaboration throughout operations.

Through his team, Andre builds and maintains relationships with existing and potential clients and improves the quality of our forecasting, workforce planning, and collaboration.

At the heart of Andre’s leadership approach is his commitment to empowering his team to make informed decisions and take appropriate actions. Empowerment is supported by promoting a collaborative work environment both within the company and with external parties.

Chief Commercial Officer

Liz Thorburn

Bachelor of Science, Quantity Surveying (Hons)

Liz focuses on simplifying construction, building trust and providing certainty for clients.

As Chief Commercial Officer, Liz strategically leads Brosnan’s Preconstruction and Finance teams. Her passion lies in creating cost certainty for Brosnan’s customers. She firmly believes that a fair and understandable cost estimate is the foundation of a successful project.

Liz enjoys Brosnan’s unique approach to construction, which focuses on getting the job done right the first time and cuts through the complexities to get to the heart of the matter.

As a highly approachable and easy person to work with, Liz strives to make the commercial aspects of construction easy and understandable for everyone. She supports Brosnan’s mission to build “confidence in construction” by ensuring cost transparency and reliable cost and time forecasting.

Chief of Risk & Compliance in Operations

Dale Sadler

Bachelor of Construction – Quantity Surveying
National Building Diploma
Site Safe Supervisor Gold Card

Leveraging over twenty-five years of extensive experience within the construction industry, Dale effectively utilises his comprehensive knowledge base in his capacity as Chief of Risk & Compliance in Operations. His background spans various trades and encompasses involvement in projects across Ireland, New Zealand, and South Africa, enriching his role.

Dale’s career has included service as a Project Manager, National Operations Manager, and General Manager Operations, before assuming the title of Chief of Risk & Compliance in Operations. Within this role, he plays a pivotal part in aligning each of Brosnan’s regions through cohesive systems and processes. Dale actively supports the site management teams across New Zealand, persistently advocating for high standards of workmanship and ensuring that client satisfaction remains a top priority.

Chief Information & Technology Officer

Richard Ertel

Developing Strategy for Value Creation, London Business School
Project Management Institute: Certified Associate in Project Management

Richard spearheads Brosnan’s technological systems and strategic IT initiatives that align with business objectives to enhance efficiency.

Richard is passionate about developing innovative solutions that are focused on meeting the customer’s needs. He enjoys the challenge of building reliable systems to meet future growth needs, with a strong focus on security, data storage and customer information.

Having worked for various companies in New Zealand and the UK, from small start-ups to large, multinational organisations, Richard has accrued over 25 years of experience and knowledge designing and delivering technical solutions. His expertise spans software development, product development and management, customer-supplier management, and system licensing.

Richard effectively manages internal and external stakeholder relationships, translating technical concepts into easily digestible solutions. He is adept at managing large multi-functional teams and budgets of several million dollars while creating and implementing company-wide information management strategic plans.

Chief Human Resources Officer

Wendy Baker

Bachelor of Commerce (Economics)
Post-Graduate Diploma in Personnel Management
Post-Graduate Diploma in Marketing Management

Wendy Baker is a Fellow of the UK’s Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and has worked in Management and Human Resources for more than twenty years in New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Australia and Singapore. She has worked across organisations such as American Express, JLL, CBRE and Carter Holt Harvey.

Her experience includes greenfield and transformation projects, strategic HR and business partnering, both client and service provider sides for outsourcing, and acquisitions. Her recent focus has been on SME organisations, early and emerging careers and young talent, the future of work, and board governance.

Wendy is a Chartered Member of HRNZ. In 2020, she joined the Brosnan team as Group Human Resources Manager, bringing a wealth of experience. As Chief Human Resources Officer, Wendy leads her team to enhance talent management, organisational development, and strategic planning. Wendy was honoured as a finalist for 2024 NZ HR Professional of the Year.

General Manager, Asset Management

Maj Hlatshwayo

Project Management Professional (PMP)®
Master of Construction (Construction Law)
Graduate Diploma in Project Management
Graduate Diploma in Operations and Production Management
National Diploma in Civil Engineering

With considerable experience in contract, construction, and project management, Maj specialises in understanding complex problems with multiple stakeholders and technical requirements. He is known for aligning strategy, objectives, and delivery. His experience spans across a wide range of business, construction and engineering projects within the built environment.

As General Manager – Asset Management, Maj leads a team of professionals who work with clients to understand and plan for effective management of their buildings. Maj’s expertise helps clients optimise their building’s asset management processes and minimise disruption. Through careful planning and efficient delivery, Maj helps clients save time and money, while improving the lifespan of their buildings.

As a skilled communicator and leader, Maj can manage and motivate teams to achieve goals within complex environments. With a strong focus on providing clarity for clients, Maj ensures good industry standards are adhered to, regardless of size or complexity.

Principal, Property Solutions

Richard Ashton

BIFM Diploma in Facilities Management

As Principal – Property Solutions, Richard bridges the gap between building owners and the multitude of building trades and services they need. In his role, he helps building owners protect the value in their buildings and to solve issues that arise throughout a building's lifecycle.

Richard has worked in the property industry for 22 years - 15 years in the United Kingdom including 14 years looking after the Goldman Sachs European headquarters in a variety of Facilities and Building Management roles, gaining British Institute of Facilities Managers qualifications.

Since moving to New Zealand in 2015, Richard has held the positions of Group Manager of Long-term Maintenance for Metlifecare and the National Operations Manager for CBRE, looking after the ANZ national building portfolio.

Group HSE & Risk Manager

Desai Link

Graduate Diploma of Occupational Health & Safety
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Laws

Desai is driven to make safety understandable and applicable for all parties involved.

Desai creates Health and Safety systems that focus on the most relevant and crucial safety aspects in construction and translate into simple, workable solutions for all personnel.

He understands the relationship between safety, quality and productivity. Desai’s approach is based on the premise that when people are safety empowered, they will achieve greater outcomes in all other areas for themselves and Brosnan’s customers.

The opportunity to develop a complete Health and Safety system from the ground up drew Desai to Brosnan. His implementation of a health and safety continuous improvement matrix delivered impressive results and has been adapted to other areas of the business.

A former practising lawyer, Desai uses these skills and disciplines, combined with hands-on work experience, to communicate Health and Safety standards and regulations to Brosnan’s team and clients in a meaningful way.

He is proud that Brosnan delivers on its Health and Safety promises and its commitment to achieving Brosnan’s vision of “confidence in construction”.

Chair & Independent Director

Sue Tindal

CMInstD, FCPA, MAICD

GOVERNANCE | EXPERIENCE | INTEGRITY

Sue has extensive C-suite and governance experience across financial services, ICT, energy, transport, global transport and supply chains, central and local government sectors spanning domestic and international markets.

A Fellow of Certified Practising Accountants Australia, Sue is the Deputy Board Chair and Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee of the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission Te Waihanga; the Independent Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee of Hutt City Council, a Director and member of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee of Quotable Value Limited and a Director of Quotable Value Australia Pty Limited.

She is a former member of the Advisory Board of the Graduate School of Business at Auckland University, and until June 2020, an Independent Director of NZX listed Mainfreight Limited. Other positions held include Group Chief Financial Officer of Auckland Council, Director of Consultancy at PwC, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Chief Operating Officer of Westpac Asia.

Sue's core values of ethics and integrity support her relationship, communication and influencing strengths, leading by example to "do the right thing".

Founder/Director

Phil Brosnan

NZIM

LEADERSHIP | INSPIRATION | COMMITMENT

Phil founded Brosnan in 2010 and led the company from strength to strength to now boast a professional team that provides exceptional expertise, efficiency, and integrity.

His career in construction spans over 35 years, beginning in 1985 as an apprentice carpenter in Dunedin. Staying with the same national company for 23 years, Phil worked his way to project management and business management before moving to Auckland in 2004, where he eventually founded Brosnan.

Professionalism, commitment, and enthusiasm are three key traits that are attributed to Phil's success, and he applies them in every aspect of his varied role.

He is passionate about developing excellence in the New Zealand construction industry with an overriding commitment to client success and long-term relationships, that ensure the best outcomes. Phil is on the board of the Registered Master Builders Association and is the former President and board member of North Harbour Club.

Founder/Director

Craig Brosnan

NDAT, NZCQS

COLLABORATION | DETAIL | SOLUTIONS

Craig's more than 30 years of construction industry experience spans a wide range of roles, including draftsman, independent contractor, site manager, design manager, project manager and project director.

His unique diversity of experience underpins a stellar career that has seen him lead and deliver high profile projects ranging in value from $3m to $220m in New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom. Craig is known for his collaborative approach in developing detailed methodologies and buildability solutions on complicated projects.

Gaining trust and buy-in from clients, stakeholders, and delivery partners is a fundamental skill for Craig. This led him to be a finalist for the Coronet Peak Base Building and an NZIOB Excellence Award (2010) for projects Under $80m.

Craig's focus on quality and determination to deliver the best results guarantees our clients success.

Executive Director

Geoff Nash

Executive MBA, Bachelor of Construction (Construction Economics)

"Geoff is a new-generation construction leader that is pushing Brosnan and the industry forward."
-Malcolm Fleming, Former Chief Executive, NZIOB

Geoff's passion for achieving excellence in construction is driven by personal experience. Having experienced the trauma of a leaky home himself, he is highly empathetic with those in a similar position. This has inspired Geoff to pioneer a company vision geared toward building confidence in construction.

As CEO of Brosnan, Geoff has developed customer-focused business structures and methodologies that minimise disruption, ensure quality and provide cost transparency, as applied to building remediation, refurbishment, and restoration.

Geoff remains closely connected to the customer's situation, leading a dedicated and passionate team that place this shared purpose and vision at the heart of all they do. He consistently seeks to understand the customer's challenges, champion innovative solutions that challenge the status quo and drive continuous improvement for Brosnan and the construction industry.

"It is through Geoff's thorough technical ability, commercial and political awareness that he can remain calm and professional, whilst keeping his sense of humor. This makes Geoff a pleasure to work with. Geoff is a trustworthy, and approachable individual whom I have every confidence in".
-Hatish Padharia, MRICS, Director, Perficio Consultants Ltd

Independent Director

Jim Quinn

INNOVATION | TEAM-BUILDING | VISION

Jim brings to our board a diverse range of experience as a director, chief executive, and executive manager. His career has centred around strengthening great work cultures by bringing talented people together and building effective teams. Jim enjoys being involved with companies that have a clear strategic view. He is particularly interested in sustainable businesses with long-term visions.

His governance experience includes directorships for WEL Network Ltd, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Rawa Ltd, Eastland Group, QLG Advisory, and Tubman Heating. Jim also serves as Chair of Payments New Zealand, SmartCo and ComplyPro. He has previously held governance positions for Lyttelton Port Company, Intilecta Corporation, Halls, M Com, Express Couriers, Ubiquitome, Go Bus, and Infolink.

Jim’s executive career included serving as the inaugural CEO of KiwiRail, Chief of Strategy for Auckland Council, and Chief Executive of Express Couriers. He has held General Manager roles for New Zealand Post, Advantage Group, WEL Energy, QED Software, and New Zealand Couriers.

Brosnan’s values of Taking Ownership, Developing Solutions, and Building Relationships resonate strongly with Jim and match his own core values. He believes in always acting with integrity, especially in response to challenges and crises. Developing and maintaining strong relationships is central to everything Jim does.

Independent Director

Bill Cashmore

COMMUNITY | STRATEGIC PLANNING | SOLUTIONS

Throughout Bill’s career, he has focused on building community, achieving commercial results, and balancing different stakeholder needs. With extensive experience in farming, Bill has an understanding and appreciation for the natural environment.

Bill’s sense of community led him to local government, where he represented the Franklin Ward as an Auckland City Councillor. In 2016, he was appointed Deputy Mayor for Auckland Council.

In the six years he spent as Deputy Mayor, Bill’s key achievements included developing innovative solutions to waste management, initiating the appointment of independent experts to the Audit & Risk committee, and introducing a partnership model for strategic procurement. He was the Project Sponsor for the City Rail Link, Chair of the Rural Advisory Panel, Chair of Strategic Procurement, and Deputy Chair of Regulatory, Audit, & Risk.

Bill is the owner and managing director of Cashmore Farms, one of Auckland’s largest farms, and the owner and director of Kiripaka Consulting. He is currently the Chair of Franklin Economic Development Areas.