My Story
I was born in Scotland, but emigrated to NZ with my wife Jessie as a young married couple in 1981. I am a Chartered Engineer by profession but when I arrived in NZ I joined Tiwai Smelter initially as a pot operator. The time spent working ‘on the floor’ stood me in good stead as I worked my way through the ranks to become General Manager of the Smelter in 1999.
I spent in total 28 years with Rio Tinto and during that time I had other roles in Australia, Canada, Wales, Chile and Venezuela, but after every assignment I came back to live in Invercargill which I always considered my home.
In 2009 I left Rio Tinto, and Jessie and I returned permanently to live in Invercargill.
At that point the NZ Government appointed me Chairman of the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Science (GNS) and Chairman of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA). I also served on the Boards of a number of commercial businesses including Port Otago and the Todd Corporation.
2016
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My first work for local government came when the Southland Mayoral Forum asked me to be Chair of the SoRDS team tasked with developing a Regional Development Strategy for our province. That strategy was adopted by all four of the Southland councils in 2016 and became the template for many of the recent developments (in the City especially).
My SoRDS work motivated me to stand for council, and I have been Deputy Mayor of Invercargill since 2022.
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2022
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2024
I also had an extended period as Acting Mayor when Mayor Clark took ill in 2024.
As Deputy Mayor I have had particular accountability for the Housing and Climate Change portfolios, reflecting my own particular interests, and have been very involved with economic development projects.
I am also the current Chair of the Indoor Stadium Trust (at Surrey Park).
On a personal level Jessie and I have children and grandchildren living in Invercargill, as well as in other parts of NZ and in Australia. I’ve been kept very busy with work, but my main outside interest have been walking my dogs and fishing.
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