

Senior Leadership
Our Senior Leadership consists of National and Regional managers, alongside key operational roles. Together they deliver the strategy and vision of the organisation.
Senior Leadership
Rebecca Mitchell
Group Finance Manager

Rebecca Mitchell
Group Finance Manager
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.
Jeff Macdonald
South Island Operations Manager

Jeff Macdonald
South Island Operations Manager
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
North Island Operations Manager
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.
Lee Peto
Commercial Manager South Island

Lee Peto
Commercial Manager South Island
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.
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.
Matt Russell
Estimating Manager

Matt Russell
Estimating Manager
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 10 years at Leighs and over 20 years in the industry.
Mark Pearson
Head of Design

Mark Pearson
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.
Jess Massey
Human Resources Manager

Jess Massey
Human Resources Manager
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.
Simon Chambers
Construction Manager South Island

Simon Chambers
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.
Neil Hamilton
National Technology Manager

Neil Hamilton
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.




