Senior Leadership

Chief Executive Officer

André has over 25 years of experience leading high-profile building and infrastructure projects and businesses in the Asia Pacific region. He joined Leighs from KiwiRail where he was Chief Infrastructure Officer. Before that he spent six years as the Chief Infrastructure Officer at Auckland International Airport leading the transformation of New Zealand’s largest international airport and connection to the world. 

Before relocating to Auckland in 2018, André was the Chief Executive of the Arts Centre of Christchurch where he led the post-earthquake restoration and repositioning of the largest collection of heritage buildings in New Zealand. Prior to his client-side roles, André was a Principal and Director of global design house, Arup, including ten years resident in Singapore where he led the recovery of the business and delivery of several very significant projects. 

André is committed to creating safe and healthy work environments, value for clients and communities and believes that the quality of the built environment improves the lives of everyone.

Group Chief Financial Officer

David is the Group Chief Financial Officer at Leighs, with expertise in construction, finance, manufacturing, telecommunications and retail sectors, having worked in the UK, USA, Asia and New Zealand. 

With his background in developing businesses, David’s experience has contributed to Leighs’ considered growth and sustainability as the company has expanded and taken on new projects throughout New Zealand.

National Construction Director

Iain bringing more than 20 years of experience in construction, infrastructure, and project leadership. A highly respected industry leader, Iain has a proven track record of building high-performing teams, developing strong client relationships, and delivering complex projects in challenging environments. 

His experience spans project delivery, commercial management, logistics, and strategic planning, with leadership roles across both the public and private sectors. 

Iain is focused on empowering Leighs’ teams to deliver safe, high-quality outcomes while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and excellence

Head of People & Culture

Jess has over eight years of experience in senior People & Culture and employment relations roles across the construction and healthcare sectors. She joined Leighs Construction in 2022, progressing from Senior Human Resources Advisor to Human Resources Manager before being appointed Head of People & Culture in 2026, where she now leads the function as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, reporting directly to the Group CEO. 

Before joining Leighs, Jess held senior HR and employee relations roles at Canterbury District Health Board, managing complex employment relations matters, including serious misconduct investigations, disciplinary processes, and Employment Relations Authority proceedings across a large, unionised, multi-disciplinary workforce. She also supported significant organisational change and workforce transition through periods of structural reform.

Jess is committed to building leadership capability across the business and believes that successful, high-performing organisations are those that put people firmly at the heart of everything they do.

New Business & Preconstruction Manager

Will brings more than 15 years of experience delivering complex commercial construction projects across New Zealand and Australia. He is a respected construction leader with extensive expertise in early contractor involvement, procurement strategy, project planning, and project delivery.

Will has successfully led major commercial, hospitality, education, and retail developments, providing clients with practical buildability advice, programme certainty, and value-focused solutions from concept through to completion. His collaborative approach and deep industry knowledge help to drive successful outcomes for clients, project partners, and delivery teams.

National Commercial Manager

Lee is a senior construction executive with nearly 35 years of experience, including over 20 years in leadership roles. Before moving to New Zealand in 2008, he was a regional commercial leader in London, helping to establish and grow multiple business units. 

In New Zealand, Lee was part of an executive team that led a business through significant growth, expanding from $80M to over $200M. Lee brings extensive expertise in commercial strategy, business growth, and operational leadership to Leighs Construction.

Group Financial Controller

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.

National Technology Manager

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. 

Neil  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.

National Health & Safety Manager

Barry bringing more than 35 years of experience across construction, infrastructure, and regulatory environments. He is a respected leader with a passion for creating safe, high-performing workplaces and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Barry has extensive experience supporting complex and large-scale projects, helping teams achieve strong health, safety, and environmental outcomes while maintaining a practical, people-focused approach. 

As the National Health & Safety Manager, Barry provides leadership and direction across Leighs’ operations, working closely with our people, project teams, and partners to embed safety into everything we do. Known for his approachable style and ability to build strong relationships at all levels, he is committed to supporting our teams, strengthening safety performance, and ensuring successful project outcomes across the business.

Head of Design

Mark is an experienced Design Manager with a background in delivering large, complex public and institutional projects across New Zealand and the UK. With expertise in design and build environments, he has a strong track record of leading coordinated, high-performing teams through early engagement, detailed planning, and rigorous stakeholder management. 

Known for his clear communication style and practical approach, Mark works closely with clients, consultants, and contractors to manage risk, protect programme outcomes, and support smooth project delivery. He is passionate about good design, early collaboration, and ensuring the built environment meets the needs of those who use it.

Construction Manager South Island

Simon is an experienced construction professional with a strong background in delivering complex commercial and institutional projects across the South Island. Over his time at Leighs, he has led multi-year builds with a focus on quality, collaboration, and developing the people around him. 

As Construction Manager, Simon provides day-to-day support and mentoring for Project Managers and brings practical construction leadership to Leighs’ project teams. Known for his approachable style and hands-on experience, he is passionate about building capability, strengthening project delivery, and supporting teams to achieve great results.

Project Director

Marcus is an experienced project leader with a strong background in delivering complex commercial, education, and institutional developments. Since joining Leighs, he has led the University of Otago Christchurch Campus Redevelopment. Drawing on his experience as both a registered architect and project director, Marcus brings a collaborative approach to project delivery and a practical understanding of how to successfully integrate design, construction, and stakeholder requirements. 

As Project Director, Marcus provides leadership and support to project teams, helping to drive safe, efficient, and coordinated project delivery. He is passionate about developing high-performing teams, building strong client relationships, and delivering successful outcomes on complex projects.