CCNZ elect first female president

Date: 31.08.2022

Civil Contractors New Zealand has elected the first female president in its 78-year history

CCNZ president, Bailey Gair

Napier business consultant and former Gair Contracting managing director Bailey Gair was elected unopposed at the organisation’s AGM in August, replacing outgoing president Tony Pike of Downer.

On CCNZ’s executive council since 2015, Bailey served her most recent term as vice-president with the organisation, saying her election highlights the changing face of the industry.

"Tony has done a great job setting the executive up for success and helping to guide CCNZ and our industry through the lockdowns and changes brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been a turbulent couple of years and his leadership has been outstanding," says Bailey.

She adds that she’s proud to be CCNZ’s first female president and says the industry had come a long way from the days when it was rare to see women on worksites. "Kudos to the men in our industry, as well as the efforts of the women.

The industry has become much more inclusive, and there are a lot more women in highly visible roles these days. Women have always had significant roles behind the scenes in civil contracting companies, particularly in SMEs, but they weren’t always on the front lines or in the kinds of management roles where you see them today."

Bailey has been in civil construction since 2008 when she joined her parents’ business to provide temporary cover when the contracts manager at the time resigned. She enjoyed the role and, when given the chance, decided to stay on, eventually becoming managing director in 2016.

She successfully sold Gair Contracting to Goodman Contractors in 2020, continuing on in the industry as a business consultant through her current business Roundview Limited.  

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