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Concrete NZ - People

Concrete NZ - People


Rob Gaimster

Chief Executive

P: +64 21 928 651

Rob is a senior executive with broad / deep technical knowledge and wide operational experience. He has an impressive track record of delivery at a strategic level across a range of business and management disciplines. Offering a solid foundation of technical and business qualifications, including an MBA, allied to good interpersonal and management skills, Rob is 'all-rounder'. Currently the Chief Executive of Concrete NZ, Rob is also a Board Director of the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO). Rob is a Member of the Institute of Directors, a Sandy Cormack Award winner for Best Paper at the 2007 & 2013 Concrete Industry Conference, an Hon. Fellow of the UK Institute of Concrete Technology, holds the Mt Eliza Advanced Management Diploma, was the 2003/04 President of the UK Institute of Concrete Technology, obtained an MBA from the UK Open University (AMBA accredited) in 2004, achieved Chartered Engineer status (CEng and MICE) in 2001, and a BEng Civil Engineering from Portsmouth University in 1997.

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Ralf Kessel

Head of Architecture

P: +64 21 865 755

Ralf has worked as a project architect for a number of Berlin based practices for around 12 years. During this time he was involved with a series of large-scale developments, apartment designs, hotel projects and institutional facilities. As a registered European architect, Ralf also spent five years in Ireland, where as part of a prestigious Dublin based practice he worked on commercial and medium-rise residential projects. Ralf's extensive list of achievements have integrated a range of aesthetic and practical concrete applications, including precast panels, in-situ floor slabs and concrete masonry. Ralf joined the Cement & Concrete Association of NZ in March 2009 as a Project Manager to advise and teach on architectural concrete topics, publishing solutions for the NZ Building Code, as well as compiling best practice advice for architectural concrete in residential and commercial applications. Ralf has recently been responsible for the development of Code of Practice for Weathertight Concrete and Concrete Masonry Construction and the Apartment Design Guide, and is also heavily involved with the delivery of weathertight and concrete masonry focused training.

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Dave McGuigan

Technical Director

P: +64 21 511 768

Dave joined Concrete NZ in 2018. His current roles at Concrete NZ include convening the Precast Sector Group and the Reinforcing Processors Stakeholder Group, representing Concrete NZ on a number of Standards Committees and is the Quality Manager of the Plant Audit Scheme. Dave also helps Concrete NZ deliver on strategic projects that promote the use of concrete. Prior to joining Concrete NZ Dave was the Deputy Chief Engineer at the Building System Performance branch at the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) where he sat on a number of Standards committees and working groups. Dave has also worked in private consultancy as a structural engineer, which included five years working in the United Kingdom and the Middle East on major infrastructure and commercial developments. Dave is a Chartered Professional Engineer and obtained Bachelor of Engineering and Master of Engineering degrees at the University of Canterbury.

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Tim Kleier

Sustainability & Policy Director

P: +64 27 2828 299

As Concrete NZ’s Sustainability and Policy Director, Tim is focussed on bringing the facts and evidence to bear in the case for green concrete’s contribution to New Zealand's net zero carbon future across residential, commercial and infrastructure development, as well as strategies to enhance resilience in the wake of extreme weather and other natural hazards. Before relocating to New Zealand, Tim spent over two decades with SMS group, a leading German metals industry partner known for quality, innovation, and developing modular solutions for plant design, modernization, digitalization, and life cycle services. As Global Head of Green Steel at SMS group, Tim was responsible for integrating technologies and processes for carbon-neutral steelmaking and the pathway towards it. This involved working with all kinds of stakeholders from inside and outside the organization, as well as managing a team of dedicated professionals. Known for his target-oriented approach and positive attitude, Tim is a sincere and dependable mediator throughout project lifecycles, achieving exceptional versatility through studies in engineering, psychology, and business administration. With a global perspective, Tim is passionate about working with people from diverse backgrounds and overcoming challenges together.

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Rob Gaimster

Rob is a senior executive with broad / deep technical knowledge and wide operational experience.

He has an impressive track record of delivery at a strategic level across a range of business and management disciplines.

Offering a solid foundation of technical and business qualifications, including an MBA, allied to good interpersonal and management skills, Rob is 'all-rounder'.

Currently the Chief Executive of Concrete NZ, Rob is also a Board Director of the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO).

Rob is a Member of the Institute of Directors, a Sandy Cormack Award winner for Best Paper at the 2007 & 2013 Concrete Industry Conference, an Hon. Fellow of the UK Institute of Concrete Technology, holds the Mt Eliza Advanced Management Diploma, was the 2003/04 President of the UK Institute of Concrete Technology, obtained an MBA from the UK Open University (AMBA accredited) in 2004, achieved Chartered Engineer status (CEng and MICE) in 2001, and a BEng Civil Engineering from Portsmouth University in 1997.

Close

Ralf Kessel

Ralf has worked as a project architect for a number of Berlin based practices for around 12 years. During this time he was involved with a series of large-scale developments, apartment designs, hotel projects and institutional facilities.

As a registered European architect, Ralf also spent five years in Ireland, where as part of a prestigious Dublin based practice he worked on commercial and medium-rise residential projects.

Ralf's extensive list of achievements have integrated a range of aesthetic and practical concrete applications, including precast panels, in-situ floor slabs and concrete masonry.

Ralf joined the Cement & Concrete Association of NZ in March 2009 as a Project Manager to advise and teach on architectural concrete topics, publishing solutions for the NZ Building Code, as well as compiling best practice advice for architectural concrete in residential and commercial applications.

Ralf has recently been responsible for the development of Code of Practice for Weathertight Concrete and Concrete Masonry Construction and the Apartment Design Guide, and is also heavily involved with the delivery of weathertight and concrete masonry focused training.

Close

Dave McGuigan

Dave joined Concrete NZ in 2018. His current roles at Concrete NZ include convening the Precast Sector Group and the Reinforcing Processors Stakeholder Group, representing Concrete NZ on a number of Standards Committees and is the Quality Manager of the Plant Audit Scheme. Dave also helps Concrete NZ deliver on strategic projects that promote the use of concrete.

Prior to joining Concrete NZ Dave was the Deputy Chief Engineer at the Building System Performance branch at the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) where he sat on a number of Standards committees and working groups. Dave has also worked in private consultancy as a structural engineer, which included five years working in the United Kingdom and the Middle East on major infrastructure and commercial developments.

Dave is a Chartered Professional Engineer and obtained Bachelor of Engineering and Master of Engineering degrees at the University of Canterbury.

Close

Tim Kleier

As Concrete NZ’s Sustainability and Policy Director, Tim is focussed on bringing the facts and evidence to bear in the case for green concrete’s contribution to New Zealand's net zero carbon future across residential, commercial and infrastructure development, as well as strategies to enhance resilience in the wake of extreme weather and other natural hazards.

Before relocating to New Zealand, Tim spent over two decades with SMS group, a leading German metals industry partner known for quality, innovation, and developing modular solutions for plant design, modernization, digitalization, and life cycle services.

As Global Head of Green Steel at SMS group, Tim was responsible for integrating technologies and processes for carbon-neutral steelmaking and the pathway towards it. This involved working with all kinds of stakeholders from inside and outside the organization, as well as managing a team of dedicated professionals.

Known for his target-oriented approach and positive attitude, Tim is a sincere and dependable mediator throughout project lifecycles, achieving exceptional versatility through studies in engineering, psychology, and business administration.

With a global perspective, Tim is passionate about working with people from diverse backgrounds and overcoming challenges together.

Paul Donoghue - Training & Certification Manager

Paul joined Concrete NZ after 15 years in the New Zealand ready mixed concrete industry. He has a New Zealand Certificate in Engineering (NZCE) and civil engineering and material testing qualifications from South Africa. Prior to arriving in New Zealand, Paul gained over 20 years’ experience as both a contractor and concrete supplier in South Africa, Dubai and Mozambique. A past President of the NZRMCA, Paul has served on the association’s Council for 8 years prior to its consolidation into Concrete NZ. In addition to being Training & Certification Manager at Concrete NZ, Paul chairs the Concrete NZ Plant Audit Committee.

Adam Leach - Information & Communications Manager

Adam is a qualified (Master's Degree in Information Studies) and experienced communications and information manager, with a history of working in the construction industry, and local government and education sectors. He is skilled in corporate communications, media relations, database/membership management solutions, publication creation, project management and strategic planning. Adam is a strong industry association professional with board governance experience and overarching responsibility as an executive officer. Operating at a strategic level and optimising industry resources and opportunities to provide value for members and influence stakeholders.

Angelique van Schaik - Financial Administrator

An enthusiastic professional with a consistent record of delivering quality results, Angelique has a broad knowledge of administrative and financial matters. In addition to office management, Angelique plays a vital role as the administrator of the Plant Audit Scheme, a hugely important part of the concrete industry. Having recently completed her Bachelor of Accountancy from Massey University, Angelique is also an experienced Financial Administrator, with a demonstrated history of working in the education and construction sectors. Skilled in budgeting, financial reporting and system processing, Angelique is familiar with MS Office, MYOB accounting and EXO Payroll software.

Vineet Shah - Concrete Industry Transformation Lead

Vineet completed his PhD in Civil Engineering in India, focusing on the durability of concrete structures, before relocating to New Zealand in 2018. He seeks to make an impact on construction by reducing the carbon footprint of the cement and concrete. Recently, Vineet has led and contributed to research projects at the University of Canterbury and Callaghan Innovation, concentrating on developing sustainable binders, mineralizing carbon dioxide, enhancing the longevity of concrete structures, and promoting circularity. At Concrete NZ Vineet is dedicated to understanding and creating solutions to facilitate the concrete industry's transition to net-zero carbon by 2050.