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Ian French
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT - VERTICAL BUILDING
I love the challenge of navigating complex procurement processes and creating delivery strategies for vertical building projects that have a positive impact on people and communities. I’m passionate about setting up teams for success and building strong, lasting relationships with clients, the supply chain, and stakeholders.
Core skills
Strategic operational leadership, large-scale project delivery, vertical build projects, bid leadership and management, procurement and contracts, commercial and financial leadership, stakeholder management, team leadership, Government relations.
Ian is a member of Height's experts’ bench. He is a Subject Matter Expert in vertical building.
Ian is an experienced operational leader with over 30 years of industry experience in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. He began his career on the ground as an engineer and progressed to an operations manager for tier-one construction companies.
Ian has 10 years’ experience in New Zealand delivering large-scale projects in the vertical construction and building services sectors, valued at up to $400M.
Ian’s recent role was as the Hawkins Ltd South Island Regional Manager, where he led a multidisciplinary team of 130+ people focused on bid and tender management. He led the successful delivery of $100M+ commercial buildings and public facilities. Notable projects include Christchurch Town Hall Conservation Project ($150M) and the University of Canterbury projects ($200M+).
Ian has significant experience in the education sector, having successfully tendered, managed and delivered over $350M of education facilities across New Zealand. He has a clear understanding of procurement and delivery models for the Ministry of Education, as well as government and management processes, including PPP Models, Design & Build, and traditional contracts.
Ian is part of Height’s team of Subject Matter Experts, where he leverages his experience in vertical construction and building services to support Height’s procurement and bidding teams. He provides guidance on methodology, contract approaches, contract review and specification development.
Ian is renowned for fostering strong client relationships and cultivating high-performance teams rooted in mutual respect and trust, ensuring successful outcomes.
Ian actively contributes to industry advancement through the South Island Property Council. He is passionate about the mental and physical health of workers in the construction sector and supports and champions this work.
Outside of work, Ian enjoys managing and coaching a local football team. He thrives on the leadership and mentoring aspect of the role, as it keeps him connected to teamwork, discipline, and performance, values that translate well into his professional life.