Chris Lawry
Wellington
Summary
A highly motivated and target driven individual, and with a proven history in recruitment, Management, Project Management and Health & Safety. Adept at leading teams and building strong relationships with customers, and colleagues alike to ensure maximum productivity. A demonstrable knowledge of building legislation requirements, standards and protocols, and high level knowledge and understanding of bicultural methods. Conversant with Health and Safety legislation, contract negotiation, maintenance, and contract management. An excellent work ethic with strong values, team player with proven problem solving and negotiation skills. A certified Life Coach, which brings a whole range of mentoring and guidance, and an additional set of tools to help others.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Health and Safety | Sustainability| Contracts Manager
Zeal Commercial Interiors
01.2018 - 01.2025
- Develop, implement, and monitor health & safety policies to ensure compliance with NZ regulations.
- Conduct risk assessments and site inspections, identifying hazards and implementing corrective actions.
- Deliver health and safety training and toolbox talks to employees and contractors.
- Maintain up-to-date records of health & safety compliance, audits, and inspections.
- Collaborate with senior management to promote a strong safety culture across the organisation.
- Implemented a new software programme rollout to the company to enable all staff to carry out risk assessments, site inspections, audits, etc. electronically on site and in situ.
- Implemented a new safety audit system that reduced workplace incidents. This was achieved by regular site visits, customer relations, and better communication with my colleagues and contractors.
- Led successful ISO 45001 certification, improving compliance and risk management.
- Developed and delivered safety training, increasing employee engagement and awareness. This was carried out via Sitesafe NZ
- Introduced sustainable procurement policies, increasing use of eco-friendly suppliers.
- Successfully managed contract-related projects from initiation to completion, ensuring timely delivery and compliance with company policies.
- Managed contract transitions and system upgrades with minimal disruption to company operations.
Facilities Maintenance Contracts Manager
Victoria University of Wellington
Wellington
01.2016 - 01.2018
- As FM Contract Manager, I support the Director of Contracts & Facilities and am responsible for strategic planning, environmentally sustainable management and maintenance of the University's buildings, grounds and infrastructure to ensure they support the University in achieving its strategic goals.
- Providing effective and efficient administration and best practice contract management to ensure external providers perform in accordance with their contract, understand their delivery obligations, and give value for money.
- Undertaking budget preparation, CAPEX and OPEX projects for allocated portfolios with ongoing variance monitoring and reporting.
- Working closely with the Contracts & Facilities Systems Management Coordinator, I ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information databases within BEIMS, BMS and other systems including the asset register and standard task database, and take appropriate steps to ensure contractors are capturing, collating and providing required data.
- With leadership, and recruitment knowledge, direction in all matters relating to Health and Safety and emergency management, I deliver effective and timely services that support the University's strategic plan and planning processes. This includes contingency planning for emergency response and business continuity, including emergency management exercises and input into design for new construction and alterations. It also includes timely completion of hazard review reports, and safety and emergency management plans are regularly reviewed, completed and submitted annually.
- Negotiated and managed contracts that resulted in a cost reduction in procurement/services, improving budget efficiency.
- Ensured all contracts adhered to legal, regulatory, and institutional policies, reducing compliance risks.
- Successfully collaborated with academic departments, suppliers, and legal teams to optimize contract terms and service delivery.
- Integrated sustainable procurement practices into contract negotiations, supporting the university's environmental goals.
- Built strong relationships with key suppliers and service providers, ensuring high-quality service delivery and improved contract compliance.
- Acted as the main point of contact for contract-related inquiries, providing clear communication and support to internal stakeholders.
Recruitment Branch Manager
Tradestaff Recruitment Company
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Interviewing and recruiting on a daily basis as a 'hands on' Manager sourcing clients and candidates, maintaining relationships with a broad range of businesses.
- A good understanding of the sensitivities and peculiarities of each company with good overall knowledge of the industry and Health and Safety standards. This role is very much a team player role even though it required a Manager's hat.
- Managing branch staff, HR and payroll. Managing the P&Ls, and having clear communication lines with Head Office in Christchurch.
- Excellent experience in dealing with bicultural ethnicities and dealing with people from all cultures living in New Zealand forfilling their potential and placing them into the work place.
- Restructured the Hawkes Bay branch, doubling turnover in six months and increasing revenue by 38%.
- With this recovery and rapid growth, was appointed to manage the Wellington branch to carry out the same remit. After a successful restructure, the Wellington branch increased by 25%.
- Success was about caring for the candidate, driving self-belief, and introducing exceptional customer service processes to the branches.
- Recruiting and developing a good team of people and taking care of them so they could shine in their roles.
Project Manager
ECL Group Ltd
Wellington
01.2010 - 01.2014
- The role involved sole charge of multiple contracts including procurement and manufacture of materials, arranging labour and logistics nationwide.
- Providing support management following operational guidelines to ensure efficiency and safety while maintaining performance. This included building and maintaining relationships with employees, recruiting good teams and subcontractors, ensuring all occupational health principles and practices were addressed and complied with by all attendees on site without exception.
- Concurrently managed three separate teams to rebrand multiple sites. This included re imaging 51 sites for Exxon Mobil NZ and 68 sites for Chevron nationwide; and 21 sites for Mobil in the North Island. Also installed signage for Chevron in 48 sites nationwide.
- Scheduled the teams' plans and logistics, ordering materials and machinery, and preparing all the HSE documentation necessary for each project. All projects completed in a timely and cost effective manner meeting budget restraints.
Facilities Manager
Pearson PLC
London, UK
01.2001 - 01.2009
- As one of three FMs, I was responsible for Pearson's London based facilities. The flagship office was 300,000 sq ft and held 1300 employees, plus 30,000 sq ft sub-let, which added an additional 700 employees. I was also part of the team overseeing 14 sub-let properties in central London.
- Sole responsibility for the refurbishment of four one-stop shops, including extensive renovations, IT infrastructure and the procurement of office furniture and supplies. Set up and ran two new offices recruiting new employees, one being a call centre, for 1,200 employees.
- Oversaw the tender process for service providers for all new Pearson PLC buildings, and facilitated the effective and efficient management of operations to enable appropriate utilisation of the buildings during phased occupancy.
- Analyzed business requirements and aligned the business' property strategy accordingly.
- Implemented new working practices and procedures, resulting directly in improved productivity and reduced space requirements.
- Provided a prompt and appropriate response to property owner and tenant issues that arose within multi-tenanted sites. Training and mentoring of in-house teams and contractors.
- Directly responsible for the completion and management of the Business Continuity, Business Recovery and Avian Flu Plans for the company, to ensure the protection of the business in the event of major incident or outbreak.
- Agreeing on the structure and procedures for information gathering, updating and distributing the plans and maintaining a full register of updates and changes.
- Ensured strict compliance with health, safety and environmental regulations.
- Pearson is an international media company, which included The Financial Times, Penguin Books, Darling Kindersley, Pearson Education, and owned 50% of The Economist Newspaper Ltd.
- Oversaw the complete re-construction of space, facilities and the remote management of all new facilities and service providers.
- All of the projects completed on time and, even when required to cut costs while maintaining satisfactory service levels.
- Recruiting good people within the organisation to assist in the FM operations and having a vital say in the recruiting of management in the companies that contracted to Pearson PLC.
Skills
- Management
- Communication
- Life Coaching
- Recruitment
- Health & Safety
Training
- Certified Life Coach NZ
- Professional Facilities Manager I & II (BIFM Cert.)
- Facilities Management (BIFM Cert.)
- Managing Building Services (BIFM Cert.)
- New Zealand Workplace Certificate in Workplace Health and Safety Practice (Level 3)
- Accident & Emergency First Aid Certificate (current)
- Elevated work platform operator - certified to operate EWPs
- HSNO Approved Handler - Regulations 2001 (current)
- Certificate of achievement - Permit Issuer (unit standard 17590)
- New Zealand Driver Licence - Class 1,2,3,4,5,6L
- 'F' Endorsement Licence - current certification
- DG License - currently paid for booked in for certification course in August 2025
References
Available on Request
Affiliations And Memberships
- Member of New Zealand Life Coaching Association
- Member of New Zealand Facilities Management Association
- Sitesafe Member since 2018
- Member of Victoria University of Wellington, emergency response team
Timeline
Health and Safety | Sustainability| Contracts Manager
Zeal Commercial Interiors
01.2018 - 01.2025
Facilities Maintenance Contracts Manager
Victoria University of Wellington
01.2016 - 01.2018
Recruitment Branch Manager
Tradestaff Recruitment Company
01.2014 - 01.2016
Project Manager
ECL Group Ltd
01.2010 - 01.2014
Facilities Manager
Pearson PLC
01.2001 - 01.2009