Aurecon's Josie FitzGerald appointed to ACE New Zealand Board
Aurecon's Josie FitzGerald joins the ACE New Zealand Board, leveraging her experience to help drive change in the engineering consulting sector.
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Asia Pacific engineering consultancy Aurecon has strengthened its Aotearoa New Zealand leadership team to align more closely with changing client needs and some of the country’s most significant growth opportunities.
The move sees Josie FitzGerald and David Hughes take on new roles as Market Leader – Communities & Place and New Zealand Water Environment & Land Leader respectively, and Gavin O’Connor joining the business as New Zealand Transport Leader.
Aurecon Managing Director – New Zealand, Dan Martin says the appointments position the business's people and expertise where they can create the greatest value for our clients, and support future growth opportunities.
“Aotearoa New Zealand’s infrastructure needs are changing, and so are the challenges our clients are asking us to help solve. We want to make sure our best people are focused on the areas where we can make the greatest difference.
"Josie FitzGerald and David Hughes bring deep knowledge of our business, clients and local market, while Gavin O’Connor adds valuable external experience and a fresh perspective to Transport. Together, they give us a strong platform for the next phase of growth."
"Aotearoa New Zealand’s infrastructure needs are changing…
Dan Martin, Managing Director – New Zealand, Aurecon
We want to make sure our best people are focused on the areas where we can make the greatest difference."
Josie FitzGerald will work alongside our Market and Client Leaders to support growth opportunities across the sector, including defence, social infrastructure and local government.
FitzGerald brings a deep understanding of our business, strong industry credibility and extensive client relationships, making her a natural fit for this role. Her experience in previously leading our New Zealand Advisory business and Government & Defence portfolio, and shaping communities through residential and infrastructure development, gives her valuable insight that will help unlock new opportunities across Communities & Place.
FitzGerald said she is excited about the Community & Place role because of her passion for economic growth, revitalisation, infrastructure, housing and creating thriving places.
“This role brings together so much of what motivates me. It gives me the opportunity to help shape places and communities, understand our clients' aspirations and leverage Aurecon’s expertise to help achieve that. I’m really looking forward to spending more time out in the market, connecting the dots between clients, government, market trends, and Aurecon’s capabilities. Ultimately, it lets me focus my energy on where I think I can have the greatest impact.”
With extensive leadership and project delivery experience, a background in civil engineering, including three-waters and a genuine passion for the water, and environmental sector, David Hughes is well-placed to lead Aurecon's rapidly growing Water team.
The pipeline for water infrastructure across Aotearoa New Zealand is substantial and will demand deep expertise, trusted advice, a strong focus on value and affordability and excellence in delivery. Aurecon’s experience delivering large-scale infrastructure will be invaluable, and David Hughes’ senior involvement in major programmes including City Rail Link, the London 2012 Olympic Park and Athletes’ Village, Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū-Tararua Highway and infrastructure masterplanning for Kāinga Ora will help support key client opportunities, including Watercare and Tiaki Wai.
David Hughes said he can’t wait to get started in tackling the opportunities ahead in water and work with clients on delivering these major programs which are essential for New Zealand’s growth.
“Water has always been a sector I’m passionate about, so in many ways this feels like coming home. I’m excited to bring together my experience across water and major infrastructure, back our people to grow and thrive, and partner with our clients to shape projects and outcomes that make a real and lasting difference for New Zealand.”
Gavin O’Connor brings 20+ years’ experience in transport engineering and planning, working in consultancy, with contractors and local government, and in the asset management and maintenance sectors. Most recently, O’Connor was Managing Director of Aro Advisory Limited and brings critical insights into the current and future challenges facing New Zealand from his client-side work across multiple Local, Regional and National Government organisations.
O’Connor said he is excited to join Aurecon and lend his experience across the full lifecycle of infrastructure delivery to assist clients to maximise the value of their existing assets.
"Aurecon has such depth of talent and an impressive track record in delivering New Zealand’s largest and most complex transport projects. I’m excited to be part of that and to bring my own experience across strategic asset management and AI to add further value to clients."
O’Connor will be based in Wellington.
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