Graeme Birkhead becomes the NZIOB's 18th national president

This is a supplied media release.

Graeme Birkhead took up the role of National President at the NZIOB’s Annual General Meeting held in Lower Hutt on 15 June and succeeds Grant Harris who will remain on the board as Immediate Past President.

Graeme has over 30 years’ experience in the building sector. He is a director of Graeme Birkhead Consulting, and has considerable governance experience. He is a board member of the Property Council of New Zealand’s Auckland Branch and an advisory board member of the Auckland Council Urban Design Panel.

Until 2015, Graeme had spent the bulk of his construction career at Arrow International, including 20 years as their Northern Director. Prior to joining Arrow, he worked with internationally acclaimed OVE ARUP & Partners, Consulting Engineers, in London. He has a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) from University of Auckland Engineering School and began his career with Fletcher Construction.

NZIOB chief executive Malcolm Fleming said, “Graeme is a highly regarded construction sector leader with experience in the UK and New Zealand. He has led major projects including large scale housing developments, business parks, manufacturing facilities, infrastructure works and public-sector facilities.

“Graeme is wanting to raise the NZIOB’s profile, expand its work programme and grow its membership, with a particular focus on engaging younger construction practitioners. That ties in nicely with our proposed STEM in Spades programme, with those that the NZIOB introduces to the construction sector, being our graduates and apprentices of the future.

“STEM in Spades is all about opening the eyes of career advisers and students to the myriad of exciting career opportunities that are on offer in the construction industry. The sector is technology rich and a drawcard to bright young people, with entry points via the Trades, Polytechnics or University qualifications.

“The executive looks forward to working with Graeme and his council to further these objectives this year and beyond and congratulate him on his appointment as National President,” Malcolm Fleming said.