Opus Appoints New Managers

27 August 2004

Opus Appoints New Managers

New Zealand based, multi-national consultancy, Opus International Consultants has announced the appointment of several new key people to its management team.

Chief Financial Officer

The newly created position of Chief Financial Officer has been filled by Jeff Childs. Mr Childs, who has B.Com. is a qualified Chartered Accountant and has held various senior positions with both private and listed companies in New Zealand and the UK, the most recent as Financial Controller for TrustPower, Tauranga. During his 10 years with TrustPower the company listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange and went through a period of exceptional growth to become one of the leading electricity supply companies in this country with nearly $1 billion in assets.

Jeff will bring to Opus significant acquisition, financial strategic planning and funding experience. Opus Chief Executive, Dr Kevin Thompson, says Mr Childs invaluable experience including listing companies and corporate governance will be important to Opus as it progresses its overseas development and acquisitions.

Jeff Childs reports to the Chief Executive and will be responsible for financial management, IT and business planning for Opus. He is a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of New Zealand and the Institute of Finance Professionals New Zealand. He took up his position on 9 August at the company’s office in Wellington.

Regional Manager, Southern

Trevor Crawley, currently Manager Dunedin Office, has been appointed to the position of Regional Manager, Southern, based in Christchurch. Mr Crawley joined Opus over 20 years ago and has held a number of management positions both in New Zealand and overseas.

Trevor has strong interests and skills in management and marketing. He has played an important role in the business development of Opus’ testing laboratories.

Mr Crawley is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors. He has a strong interest in rugby, golf and motor sport.

He will take up his new position in November.

Sector Leader for Asset Management Building and Infrastructure

Charles Cook, has been appointed to the position of Sector Leader, Asset Management Buildings and Infrastructure, based in Auckland.

Currently, Manager Facilities Management, at the Auckland office, Mr Cook has a B.E Mech (First Class Honours), and a Dipl in Business Management. He has specialised in facilities and asset management for over 10 years, both with Opus and an Australian company. During this time he helped build new business with a number of clients in the private sector, local authorities and government. He has also been instrumental in the development of new services, including building asset management in the Auckland area and championing integrated asset management with the skills and services across the company.

In his new role, Mr Cook will be responsible for building new business for the company in this sector.

Mr Cook is a Member of the Institution of Professional Engineers of New Zealand, enjoys sailing and is a keen skier.

Manager, Wanganui Office

Opus’ current manager at Palmerston North, Glen Hughes, has been promoted to manage the office at Wanganui.

Mr Hughes, who has a B.SocSc, MSc (Hons), has been with Opus for 10 years. A specialist in urban design and project management, Mr Hughes was recognised for his work for the Hastings District Council’s Landmarks Commission Development project – winning the NZPI Nancy Northcroft Planning Practice Award in 2001. He has also presented a number of papers at various industry conferences in New Zealand and overseas. He will bring to the position an acute awareness of environmental and resource management issues relevant to the services delivered from the Wanganui office.

An active motor sport enthusiast, Mr Hughes is engaged in classic car club competitions, teaching young people car handling skills and safe driving techniques. He is also a keen rugby supporter, having been involved with coaching and management of a number of provincial teams.

Mr Hughes is a Member of the New Zealand Planning Institute and the Resource Management Law Association of NZ.

ENDS

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