We’re thrilled to welcome Lee to the Veros family! Lee brings a wealth of experience, fresh perspectives, and enthusiasm to our team. We caught up with Lee to learn more about his background, his journey to Veros, and what excites him most about this next chapter.

Can you share a bit about your professional background and what inspired you to join the Veros team?

I started my career as a local authority planner in the UK, which gave me a solid foundation in planning and the broader development sector. Fourteen years ago, I made the move to Aotearoa and continued in planning roles, first with Auckland Council and then a smaller consultancy in Auckland. In 2014, I moved to the Bay of Plenty, working for Tauranga City Council and, most recently, spending nearly eight years at Harrison Grierson.

While the earlier part of my career gave me great technical grounding, the last six years have been a game changer I’ve stepped out of the weeds of the RMA into broader roles, taking on leadership challenges, building client relationships, leading high performing teams, and delivering complex projects. I’ve ventured into areas outside of my core skills, like digital delivery, leading the national survey team and driving regionally significant development projects. It’s been a rewarding journey, especially being part of senior leadership and helping teams across the country grow and thrive.

What drew me to Veros is the energy and reputation of the team. They’re dynamic, driven and deliver real results for their clients. It felt like the perfect opportunity to bring my leadership skills and strategic thinking to the table while continuing to grow in areas I’m passionate about.

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Lee joined the team in October this year.

From your previous experience, which skills or insights do you think will be most valuable in your role at Veros?

Communication is a big one for me. Clear, honest and timely communication is key to building trust, whether its sharing good news or tackling challenges head-on. It’s often overlooked, but when communication breaks down, so do projects and relationships.

I’m a great believer in solving problems in a collaborative way. Veros has a highly skilled team with vast experience, I’m looking forward to contributing to this with critical thinking and innovative problem solving.  However, I am also not afraid to challenge the status quo to get the best outcome for the team or our client.

And finally, the ability to have fun and enjoy what you do is key! It boosts morale, encourages creativity and strengthens team relationships.

After just four weeks, I am in no doubt that the team here tick all those boxes!

Starting a new role comes with both challenges and opportunities. What are you most looking forward to as part of the Veros team?

There’s so much to look forward to! Being part of a small and dynamic team provides massive opportunities for both professional and personal growth. I’m especially excited about working on impactful projects and help drive positive real change both in the community and across regional New Zealand.

It’s also great to see some familiar faces, I’ve worked with a few of the team before, so there’s a level of ease. A month in and I’ve been impressed by the supportive culture and the forward-thinking environment at Veros. I’m looking forward to diving deeper into new challenges, adding value and learning from the talented people around me.

A new face and already part of the family – Lee showing us how it’s done at November’s team day!

Reflecting on your career so far, is there a project or accomplishment that you’re especially proud of?

Two recent accomplishments come to mind.

The first was leading Harrison Grierson’s national survey division for a year and a half. During this time, we made significant strides in improving working practices/process, established a clear vision and strategic direction for the business unit and enabled the team up to be financially successful and sustainable. This was satisfying for me as it was in an area that I had little technical knowledge and I believe I had meaningful impact. 

The second is Manawa Gardens in Rotorua for Ngāti Whakaue. It’s an intergenerational housing project that provides affordable rental housing and creates a community-focused, sustainable living space. My role was leading concept design, consenting, detailed design and civil construction aspect for the client.  From concept design to construction, we delivered the project in under two years—a huge achievement for such a complex initiative. I’m proud of the teamwork and the positive impact it’s had on the community.

What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?

The best piece of advice I’ve ever received was from my folks.  They both always instilled the mantra that ‘you only get out of life what you put in’.  The ability and desire to put the effort in when others aren’t or when no one else is looking, is what separates the good from the great. This is something I tell my kids every day at school drop off and, whilst I know they are probably sick of me telling them to ‘work hard’, it is something I think is so important. Hard work and perseverance mean pushing yourself, always trying to get better and learning from failure.  It builds character, resilience and provides a greater sense of accomplishment when you do succeed.

Outside of work, what hobbies or interests do you enjoy?

For me, family comes first.  I love seeing my kids get stuck into their sport and hobbies. Whether this is swimming, scouts, netball, dancing or just heading out for a tramp, it doesn’t matter.  However, I am also a self-confessed golf nut.  I love the challenge, the dedication required to get better, and the fact that it is a game where perfection can never be achieved but is something that is strived for.

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