Session 1
Sharon Durno (MC)
Sharon leads Beca's Project and Programme Management team across the Central, Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions and has extensive experience in project leadership, contract administration and Engineer to the Contract roles. She is a civil engineer and infrastructure leader with more than 25 years' experience delivering complex projects across New Zealand's water, transport, marine and community infrastructure sectors. Sharon is a founding member of the SCCP Management Committee and has contributed to the Society's growth as a professional home for construction contract practitioners.
She is passionate about developing people, sharing industry knowledge and advancing professional practice across the sector.
Gavin Shaw
As founding Chair of SCCP, experienced practitioner, business leader and Independent Certifier, Gavin Shaw brings a grounded perspective on how better contract practice can shift outcomes across the construction sector. His experience leading project teams and developing contract leadership capability means he understands, from the inside, how everyday decisions in the engine room shape the success or failure of projects, and his involvement in helping redraft the 391x suite gives him a front-row view of how contractual settings are evolving in practice.
In opening the summit, Gavin will set out the important role SCCP plays as a professional home for contract practitioners, and the tangible, measurable impact this community can have when it is connected, deliberate, and aligned around lifting standards in contract administration.
Pamela Bell
Pamela Bell is the inaugural Sir Mark Dunajtschik Chair and Professor of Advanced Construction at Te Herenga Waka | Victoria University of Wellington. She founded PrefabNZ in 2010, establishing a leading voice for innovative construction and offsite manufacturing in New Zealand, based on her award-winning ‘Kiwi Prefab’ research, book and exhibition.
A recognised leader in the built environment sector, Pamela has held senior roles including Chief Everything Officer at the Building Institute Aotearoa and Chair of the New Zealand Construction Industry Council. She is also an Innovation Consultant and Board Director across start-ups, Crown aligned companies and commercial organisations., and most recently Chair of Crown Infrastructure Delivery.
Her expertise spans sustainable construction, affordable housing, design thinking, future-focused governance and added-value timber manufacturing.
Murray Burt (AIAL)
Craig has worked in the Construction industry for over 25 years, initially starting with Hawkins as a Foreman and progressing through various roles, including Project Manager, Auckland Regional Manager, and his current role as EGM of Hawkins.
Craig is motivated by the industry's challenge and the ability to be a part of great teams that have completed some of the most significant projects in NZ. Hawkins is a fantastic business that Craig is incredibly proud to lead.
Craig Treloar - Hawkins
Craig has worked in the Construction industry for over 25 years, initially starting with Hawkins as a Foreman and progressing through various roles, including Project Manager, Auckland Regional Manager, and his current role as EGM of Hawkins.
Craig is motivated by the industry's challenge and the ability to be a part of great teams that have completed some of the most significant projects in NZ. Hawkins is a fantastic business that Craig is incredibly proud to lead.
Session 2
Scott Thompson
Scott is an adviser to energy, construction, and infrastructure clients, helping them navigate complex projects during procurement, delivery, and dispute resolution. He is co-head of the highly regarded Construction & Infrastructure and Energy practices at MinterEllisonRuddWatts, and is licensed in New Zealand, New York, and Texas.
With significant experience spanning New Zealand and the United States, Scott has developed an effective methodology for managing challenging projects and disputes, placing each client's priorities at the forefront of his strategy. Since Scott's return to New Zealand, he has advised major stakeholders on some of New Zealand's largest infrastructure projects and disputes, including Transmission Gully, Turitea Wind Farm, Waimea Dam, the Prisons, and Christchurch's Metro Sports Facility.
Andrew Grenfell
Andrew is a partner with Advisory and Restructuring firm, McGrathNicol and has over 20 years of corporate finance, strategy, turnaround, restructuring and insolvency experience. With his breadth of commercial and financial experience, Andrew assists businesses facing complex operational and financial challenges.
Andrew’s experience covers a wide range of industries, including construction, where he has been the receiver or liquidator of several companies within the sector, including Orange H Group, Scarbro Construction, West Village Capital Partners, Epsom Central Apartments and Beachcroft Apartments LP.
Tim Palin
Tim is Managing Partner at Frequency NZ Ltd. He is an experienced EtC with both vertical and horizontal infrastructure experience in the United Kingdom and in New Zealand. Tim’s additional experience includes dispute resolution, forensic schedule and delay analysis, and acting as single joint expert for disputes arising under NEC. He was a member of the EtC Panel during its pilot phase.
Lucas Nikkel
Lucas Nikkel is a Director of Stellar Projects and a recognised leader in contract administration and infrastructure project delivery.
A Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng), Chartered Member of Engineering New Zealand (CMEngNZ), and an IC panel member of the Society of Construction Contract Practitioners (SCCP), Lucas brings more than 20 years of experience across complex infrastructure projects throughout New Zealand. He is also one of a select group of nationally recognised Level 4 NZTA Engineers to Contract.
An early adopter of the NZS 3910:2023 Conditions of Contract, Lucas has been at the forefront of applying the revised contract model on major infrastructure programmes. He is known for his pragmatic, solutions-focused approach, strong commercial acumen, and commitment to delivering fair, robust outcomes.
Jo Wilton
Jo Wilton is an Engineering New Zealand Fellow and Chartered Professional Engineer specialising in civil infrastructure project management. As Senior Manager Project Services, Te Toki Matua – Infrastructure Delivery at NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, she provides strategic leadership across project controls, commercial management, risk, assurance, governance, and delivery support for New Zealand's transport infrastructure portfolio. Throughout her career, Jo has contributed to major projects including the Waikato Expressway and SH25A Taparahi Bridge recovery.
Recognised for turning complex delivery challenges into clear, decision-ready insights, Jo is also a passionate people leader who champions high-performing teams, project management capability, and women in engineering. She inspires others to lead with confidence and help shape the future of the profession.
.png)
Hugh Milliken
Hugh Milliken is an Alliance Manager with McConnell Dowell, leading the southern section of the Ōtaki to north of Levin project. He previously led delivery of the highly successful SH25A rebuild.
His experience spans alliances, joint ventures and traditional contracting, from procurement through to construction and handover. Hugh focuses on aligning clients, designers and constructors around shared outcomes, combining strong relationships with clear accountability and sound commercial decisions. He brings a practical perspective on the behaviours and leadership that enable teams to deliver under pressure, guided by respect for people, place and planet.
Ross Copland
Ross Copland is the Chief Executive Officer of Southern Infrastructure, a Queenstown based, privately led company bringing expertise, investment and commitment to deliver infrastructure. Ross is a nationally recognised leader in infrastructure planning, investment and delivery with previous roles including as the Chief Executive of Te Waihanga the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, following a career in construction and tourism infrastructure development. Southern Infrastructure is currently driving the Queenstown Gondola project, an innovative and challenging transport solution to the region’s growing traffic congestion issues.
Ross is passionate about renewables and sustainable building and has taken part in development engineering and disaster relief assignments across the Pacific. Ross has degrees in civil engineering, commerce, and an MBA, and is Fellow of Engineering NZ.
Session 3
Hamish Bolland
Hamish is a major projects specialist who leads Chapman Tripp's Construction & Major Projects practice and co-leads the firm's Infrastructure Sector Group. He advises government entities, developers, lenders, contractors and consultants across all stages of major infrastructure and construction projects, from procurement and financing through to contract negotiation, administration and dispute resolution. He has extensive experience across infrastructure, energy, health, transport, water and commercial sectors, with particular expertise in project finance.
Before joining Chapman Tripp, Hamish worked in the Dubai projects team at Allen & Overy, advising on large-scale project finance transactions across the Gulf region. He is consistently recognised as a leading construction lawyer by Legal 500 Asia Pacific, Chambers Asia Pacific and Doyles Guide.
Tom Horder
Tom is Legal Manager for CPB Contractors in New Zealand and a major projects construction lawyer, with experience acting for principals, consultants, subcontractors, suppliers and head contractors across a variety of large horizontal and vertical infrastructure projects.
Tom has worked across some of New Zealand’s significant infrastructure projects, including Transmission Gully PPP, Te Mihi Geothermal Power Station, Waipapa Christchurch Hospital (Acute Services), Waikeria Prison PPP, Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre and New Dunedin Hospital.
Passionate about using technology to improve systems and building cultures that enhance performance, Tom’s leadership approach is centred on people and trust: being open, keeping things simple and focusing on what matters.
Andrea Rickard
Andrea is Managing Director – New Zealand at Beca, one of the Asia-Pacific’s largest employee-owned professional services firms. A strategic thinker with a passion for people, ideas and impact, she brings experience spanning advisory, planning, governance and the delivery of major infrastructure projects across transport, utilities and community infrastructure.
Andrea enjoys bringing diverse perspectives together to solve complex challenges and currently serves on a number of industry and project governance boards, including as President of ACENZ, the Association of Consulting and Engineering New Zealand.
Patrick Dougherty - Auckland Council
Patrick Dougherty is a senior urban development and regeneration executive with more than 30 years’ experience leading large-scale city transformation, housing delivery and strategic planning across New Zealand. He is General Manager of Auckland Council’s Auckland Urban Development Office, leading integrated programmes that align land use, transport, infrastructure and economic growth.
Previously, Patrick held executive leadership roles with Kāinga Ora and Housing New Zealand, overseeing multi-billion-dollar investment programmes and complex partnerships across government, local authorities, iwi and the private sector. He led organisational transformation, increasing housing delivery from 300 to more than 4,800 homes annually, and directed annual capital programmes exceeding $2 billion.
Patrick is recognised for strategic leadership, governance expertise and shaping major urban regeneration, planning and housing policy initiatives.
Alan Pollard
Alan commenced his role as CEO of Civil Contractors NZ in January 2022, after 10 years leading New Zealand’s apple and pear industry association.
A Chartered Accountant and a Chartered member of the Institute of Directors, Alan has spent most of his career managing professional service firms. His experience with membership-based organisations includes a period as a director and then President of the Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration degree from Victoria University of Wellington, majoring in accounting and economics.
Geoff Hunt
Geoff Hunt is an experienced infrastructure executive, director and advisor with more than 27 years as CEO of Electrix, Alstom/Areva, Kordia and Hawkins Group, leading business transformation, growth and the delivery of major infrastructure projects in New Zealand and overseas. He has held governance roles with the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, the Treasury National Infrastructure Advisory Board, MBIE's Building Advisory Panel and the Construction Strategy Group.
Through Geoff Hunt Consulting Ltd, he advises organisations on governance, strategic transformation, project delivery and dispute resolution. Geoff holds a Master of Engineering (Electrical), is an Engineering New Zealand Distinguished Fellow and a member of the Institute of Directors. He is committed to strengthening New Zealand's leadership, capability and long-term infrastructure strategy.