"I'm constantly looking at resource requirements for various projects to identify how we can respond best to market demands."
Brent joined Beca in 1978 and hasn't looked back since. Starting as a graduate engineer in a construction-related role, he progressed to Project Manager after five years before leading the wider Project Management team.
Brent's current role as Practice Development Manager involves succession planning and guiding future direction of the project management business line throughout New Zealand.
As well as behind-the-scenes work, Brent is involved on a range of projects within New Zealand, with a primary focus on the commercial market. He is currently the Engineer to Contract on a large commercial office development for a government client in Wellington.
Brent has been actively involved in the national project management policy scene as a member of the New Zealand Standards Committee. This includes evaluating the New Zealand Standard Conditions of Contract, NZS3910 2003 - the commercial conditions under which our builders contract with our clients.
His special competence lies in providing advice on construction contracts, including claim evaluation, negotiation and settlement, and dispute resolution. Brent has called on these skills in varied locations, including a 100 km highway construction in northern Tanzania, airport projects in Samoa and the Marshall Islands, and in master planning for the consolidation of two Royal New Zealand Air Force base facilities.
Over the course of his 31 years with Beca, Brent has developed considerable experience in the softer skills that project management also entails. "Much of project management is about facilitating, negotiating and being the face of Beca to the client."