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Craig West
New Zealand Country Manager & Executive General Manager - Transport & Infrastructure (Downer in New Zealand)
Craig West is a high-impact leader with over 20 years of experience in leadership roles, particularly in Australasia, where he has built key relationships across various industries, government, and client organizations. His leadership style is characterized by drive, strategic focus, and connection, with a commitment to building industry capability for sustainability and safety. His background includes a successful career as a professional rugby player and semi-professional coach, where he honed skills in strategy, culture, and performance management for peak performance.
An astute Māori leader, Craig West focuses on creating thriving environments by incorporating traditional Māori values into large organizations. He has strong relationships with iwi leaders and experience in co-governance, respecting Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Known for his ability to attract, retain, and develop leaders, Craig excels in shaping talent into world-class leaders through his exceptional communication skills and emotional intelligence.
Key to Craig West's leadership success are his authentic and adaptive leadership styles that drive positive change and engage diverse teams effectively. His strategic approach includes implementing growth strategies, enhancing customer relationships, and ensuring social license while delivering revenue growth and profitability. His educational background includes a Bachelor's degree in Business Management, as well as certificates in Executive Management & Development, Company Direction, and Engineering, alongside diplomas in Business and Management.
Having held various executive roles at Downer New Zealand, including General Manager positions in network maintenance, civil construction, and transport services, Craig West has demonstrated a proven track record of navigating complex environments, driving successful outcomes, and leading teams through change.
Craig West is highly regarded for his leadership acumen, relationship-building skills, and his ability to navigate diverse cultural and professional landscapes to achieve outstanding results. His expertise in fostering a culture of excellence, embracing change, and empowering teams positions him as a respected leader and a cornerstone in the Australasian business environment.
