KEY APPOINTMENTS IN THE WAIKATO
If you have a key appointment you would like to announce please contact Bex.
Ash Burkhart
Livingstone Building has backed home-grown leadership to steer its next phase, appointing Ash Burkhart as Chief Executive Officer of the $200 million-plus family-owned construction company.
Burkhart moves into the role after 18 months as General Manager for the upper North Island, where he led Livingstone's teams across Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Auckland, Taupō and Rotorua.
Burkhart has overseen some of the company's most significant projects in recent years, including Fonterra's new North Bloc headquarters in Hamilton, The Hive student health and wellness centre for St Paul's Collegiate, Taupō's Tauhara College redevelopment for the Ministry of Education, Te Kete Aronui Rototuna Library for Hamilton City Council, and Fletcher Wood Products' Laminex OSB plant in Taupō.
The appointment comes as Livingstone marks 79 years in business, having grown from a regional builder to a company turning over more than $200 million a year, with 55 sites currently underway from Wellington to Silverdale.
“My vision has always been for Livingstone to be the employer of choice. We're a people business, not just a construction company, and everything we deliver depends on the people we have out on our sites every day,” Burkhart says.
“We want to keep building on the relationships that got us here and find better ways to do it for our clients, whether that's through the people we hire, the technology we use, or how we value-engineer a project.”
Burkhart says balancing Livingstone's family culture with the standards of a much larger operation will be central to the role.
“We want our clients to know who our teams are and to enjoy the journey with us, and that's something we're determined not to lose as we grow.”
Andrew Johnson, Livingstone Board Chair, endorses Burkhart’s appointment.
"The Board is pleased to appoint Ash Burkhart as Chief Executive Officer. Ash is a respected leader with a great understanding of our business, our people, and the opportunities ahead. We have every confidence in his ability to lead the company through its next phase of growth and success."
Livingstone's client base spans the education, industrial, commercial and healthcare sectors. The company is currently undertaking significant project developments including McDonald's Central in Hamilton, Otumoetai College Design & Build in Tauranga, Kinloch Village Centre in Taupo, and Roberts Line Distribution Centre in Palmerston North.
Nick Davey
Royal New Zealand Navy Lieutenant Commander Nick Davey has joined Company-X to expand the use of defence training technology across New Zealand and international markets.
Nick Davey joins Company-X after 40 years' service in the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) with a background in combat and communication systems engineering. Most recently, he served as Maritime Simulation Program Manager within NZDF's Capability Branch.
In this role, Davey worked alongside Company-X on multiplayer virtual reality for RNZN diver rescue training, a first for NZDF. The project earned Company-X the innovation award at the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence. His first-hand experience will help guide further research and development to address the emerging training needs of defence forces worldwide.
Company-X Co-founder and CEO, Jeremy Hughes, says Davey’s appointment enables the company to combine its simulation technology with first-hand understanding of the planning, logistics, measurement, and relationships required to deliver training effectively at scale.
“Nick’s appointment helps us improve the readiness of New Zealand’s defence personnel,” says Hughes. “He brings four decades of maritime experience and understands not only what defence forces need from simulation technology, but how that technology needs to operate in the real world.”
Hughes says there is already proof of what New Zealand-developed simulation technology can do within the Navy; now the opportunity is to take that capability further into the Army, Air Force, and international markets.
“We’re seeing growing recognition internationally of what is coming out of New Zealand in simulation, and feedback from our conversations in Europe has been that the capability is genuinely world class.”
Davey believes the immediate opportunity for Company-X is to build on its Navy experience across the other services. “I’ve seen the role simulation can play in improving safety, readiness while reducing training cost. The obvious next step is doing for the Air Force and Army what Company-X has already demonstrated with the Navy.”
“But the opportunity is bigger than New Zealand. Allied defence forces are grappling with many of the same challenges around readiness, safety, cost and the ability to deliver sophisticated training at scale. New Zealand has genuine expertise in this space, and we should be ambitious about where we can take it,” Davey says.
“For me, joining Company-X is an opportunity to take what we’ve learned and achieved with the Navy and ask: where else can we make a difference?”
Melissa Williams
H3 Group’s Melissa Williams joins national business events industry board
Melissa Williams, national growth and business development lead at H3 Group, has joined the Board of Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA), the official body representing New Zealand’s business events sector.
“BEIA shapes the future of business events in Aotearoa, from advocating with government to growing the sector’s reach internationally. What I’m most looking forward to is the opportunity to contribute to those conversations, and to help shape decisions that have a real impact on venues, suppliers and regions right across the country,” says Williams.
“I’m really proud to be doing this as part of H3 Group. We’re a team that cares deeply about this industry and about the Waikato’s role in its growth, and I hope to reflect that at a national level.”
Williams has spent more than a decade immersed in New Zealand’s business events sector. Her career spans corporate travel management, key account management at Mystery Creek Events Centre, and over nine years at H3 Group, where she has led business development and growth across the organisation’s portfolio of premier event venues.
The board appointment marks a natural evolution from that operational experience into governance, bringing her depth of on-the-ground knowledge to the strategic and advocacy work that influences the conditions the whole sector operates in.
The BEIA Board sets the long-term direction of the organisation, oversees advocacy efforts and identifies the opportunities and risks that will define the sector’s future. Its strength depends on bringing together senior leaders with different experiences and perspectives, drawn from across venues, hospitality, tourism and event suppliers. Williams’ background, spanning regional event delivery, business development and the buyer side of the industry, adds a distinct voice to that mix.
As a major contributor to the growth and success of the business events sector regionally and nationally, H3 Group’s representation on the BEIA Board is significant. Williams’ appointment reflects not only her personal contribution and expertise, but also the leadership role H3 Group plays in advancing the industry and championing the value of business events to communities like Hamilton.
“Business events are about more than filling rooms. They connect industries, grow knowledge and create real economic value for the communities that host them,” she says.
“Regions like ours are proving what’s possible, and I think there’s a lot the sector can build on.”
H3 Group director Ben Slatter says the election reflects the standing Williams has earned among her peers across the industry.
“Business events are a real economic engine for Hamilton, and Melissa understands better than most how national advocacy, strong industry relationships and great event delivery all contribute to that impact,” says Slatter.
“Her appointment to the BEIA Board is a genuine reflection of the trust her peers place in her. Her experience working across the business events sector and her understanding of what it takes to deliver results for organisers, delegates and host communities will bring a valuable perspective to the board.
“Having her contribute to national strategy and advocacy is great for the industry, and we’re proud to have that commitment coming from within H3 Group,” says Slatter.
The appointment is the result of successful nomination for a previous member who has stepped down. Williams will serve until October 2026, when the position will next be open for election.
Ian Dingwall
Braemar Hospital has announced the appointment of Ian Dingwall to its Board, bringing three decades of clinical and governance experience at the hospital to the role.
Mr Dingwall practised at Braemar Hospital from 1994 to 2023 and served on the Clinical Committee from 1997 to 2023. He also spent eight years as a Medical Trustee on the Braemar Charitable Trust, until 2020, where he helped guide the development of new policies and protocols for the Trust. An orthopaedic surgeon, Mr Dingwall retired from surgical practice in 2025 and remains a Medical Associate Alumni of Braemar Hospital.
His appointment follows the retirement of John Clarkson from the Board after 12 years of service. Mr Clarkson continues to practise as a surgeon at Braemar.
“I consider it a privilege to be on the hospital board,” Mr Dingwall said.
Braemar Hospital Board Chair Graeme Milne welcomed the appointment, saying Mr Dingwall’s long association with the hospital made him a valuable addition to the Board.
“Ian’s experience, both as a clinician and through his years of governance work with the Trust, will give the Board valuable insight and we’re delighted to have him on board.
“We are also grateful for John Clarkson’s years of dedicated service to the Board, which have left a lasting positive, mark on this hospital.”
Mr Dingwall’s appointment takes effect immediately.
To view the full Braemar Hospital Limited Board click here.
Braemar Hospital is 100% owned by the Braemar Charitable Trust which works to improve healthcare access in the community.
Claire van der Most
Age Concern Waikato is pleased to announce the appointment of Claire van der Most as their new General Manager, effective 1 June 2026.
Claire brings more than 20 years senior leadership experience across Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally, spanning the private, public, and for‑purpose sectors. She has a Master of Social Science, is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors, holds a number of governance roles, and previously served on the Age Concern Waikato Board.
Board Chair Meredith Osmond says, “We’re delighted to welcome Claire. We are confident her background, knowledge, and experience will drive our purpose of celebrating and supporting older people into the future.”
Working with the Board, Claire will lead Age Concern Waikato’s strategic direction, and focus on service delivery, innovation, sustainability, and team leadership.
“I am looking forward to leading the team to continue delivering highly valued and relevant services for older people and stakeholders, across the Waikato,” Claire says.
Rob Clayton
Gallagher has appointed Rob Clayton as Chief Executive of its global Animal Management business, leading the next phase of growth for one of New Zealand’s most successful agritech companies.
Rob joins Gallagher with more than 25 years of international agribusiness experience, having held senior leadership roles across Australia and the United States with global agricultural inputs and services company Nutrien. Raised on a wheat, sheep and cattle farm near Coonamble in north-west New South Wales, he brings a combination of practical farming knowledge and extensive commercial leadership experience.
His appointment comes at a significant time for Gallagher Animal Management, which supports farmers and land managers in more than 160 countries and has experienced strong growth across its connected animal and land management solutions. Recent milestones include expansion into new global markets, strategic acquisitions, and continued growth of its digital agriculture technologies.
Rob says Gallagher combines strong New Zealand heritage, a culture of innovation and a close connection to farmers, creating a powerful platform for future growth.
“Gallagher has a long history of solving real challenges for farmers through practical innovation. I’m excited to join the team and help build on that legacy as we continue to grow our global impact and deliver value for customers around the world.”
Rob commences as Chief Executive on 8 June 2026 and will be a member of Gallagher’s Executive Leadership Team. He will be based in Melbourne, spending regular time at the Gallagher Head Office in Hamilton and in key global markets.
James Grafas
Foster Construction Group has welcomed James Grafas to its Board of Directors as an independent director.
Beginning his career as an electrician, James went on to build over 20 years’ experience in HR and recruitment, including serving as CEO of one of New Zealand’s leading recruitment firms. He is the founder of James People, specialising in leadership appointments, and co-founder of Good Trust, a charity supporting water projects in Cambodia since 2009.
James currently serves as a board member and chairperson across a number of organisations, including Baygold Orchards LP, Ricado Limited and Urban Homes. He is also a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors.
“I’m excited to welcome James to the Fosters Board,” said Fosters CEO Warren Luxton. “He brings deep experience, new perspectives and strong values that align closely with our purpose of creating built environments where communities thrive.”
