RLB appoints new Oceania board chairman
After four years, incumbent Oceania Board Chairman of Rider Levett Bucknall, Peter Tulla, has announced Steve Gracey as his successor.
Steve has been the Managing Director of RLB in Auckland for the past decade. He has an outstanding track record in business development, client relations and project leadership on a range of complex and high-profile projects throughout New Zealand.
“Since Steve’s appointment as Managing Director in 2014, he has drawn on deep experience and a passion for the built environment to deliver outstanding projects underpinned by innovative thinking, collaboration and flawless execution,” Peter said.
“Steve has significant experience and expertise in the infrastructure sector, providing services on many major projects. His unmatched knowledge of the industry, the market, and the sector benefits every client.
“Steve also has internal responsibility for risk and is the Chairman of RLB’s Oceania Risk Committee.”
Steve joined RLB in 1994. Among his landmark projects are the Commercial Bay mixed use precinct, essential infrastructure for KiwiRail and the Auckland International Airport, the Auckland Central Interceptor and some of the country's largest data centres.
Steve has a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, and under his leadership female professionals have come to account for more than 40% of RLB Auckland’s team.
Steve said he was honoured to be leading RLB’s Oceania operations.
“It is a tremendous privilege to lead such an outstanding team. Many of the world’s current challenges are highly complex and require breakthrough solutions and deep technical skills. RLB’s team can make enormous contributions to solving these challenges in the coming years,” Steve said.
“Thank you to outgoing Board Chairman Peter Tulla, who has steered RLB in Oceania since April 2020, and who has made an exceptional contribution to our industry over that time.
“It is a privilege to help our clients bring imagination to life on world-leading projects, balancing their budgets to do so. But cost is just one measure of value, and one of our focus areas for the future is helping our clients unearth new environmental and social value.
“I am looking forward to expanding the firm’s impact in research, cost consultancy and advisory services, entrepreneurship and society. I am especially looking forward to promoting the RLB values that are at the heart of our work and reputation as the world’s best quantity surveyors and specialist consultants.”
Steve started his new role on 1 April 2024. Peter will stay on the board and assist Steve through a transition phase.