Africa Outlook: Tell us about your employees and how HamiltonJet recognises their contribution to the company?

Ben Reed, Managing Director: “We have 400 staff, around half of whom are in the field of operations, 50 of which are overseas in our regional offices, and the rest of whom are office workers and engineers in Christchurch.

“HamiltonJet has been working really hard to improve communication and keep people abreast as to how the business is going and how we are doing against our strategy. We try to show our appreciation for them with quarterly barbecues and other smaller events. We also have a Christmas breakup party which is in our summer. Last year it involved taking the whole team jet boating on the Waimakariri river, with a barbecue and craft beers, brewed by members of the team.

“HamiltonJet has an enviable staff retention rate. We are one of the more interesting companies to work for in the area, especially for engineers, so finding local talent is not difficult. We also have cultural great diversity, with 50 percent of our staff being born outside New Zealand. HamiltonJet regularly hires from overseas and has no trouble attracting people to such a wonderful country and location.”