Our Team

We collaborate, merge ideas, and challenge the status quo to ultimately create and deliver better communities. 

Our diverse teams of planners, engineers, surveyors, urban designers, and urban architects are uniquely positioned to offer a range of perspectives and skills for any project. Our holistic approach to land development considers the needs and goals of both our partners, clients, and the community, resulting in better outcomes for everyone. Find out more about our specialists and professionals below.

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    Brian Flood

    GM Major Projects Infrastructure / Director

    Brian has been an Associate of Woods since 2008 with 30 years of professional experience as a civil engineer. He has worked on a wide variety of master-planned developments and infrastructure projects throughout New Zealand, China, and Europe.

    He is frequently sought for complex multi-disciplinary projects.

    Brian specialises in the delivery of site and route selection for a range of infrastructure, energy, and utility projects, providing integrated design solutions and mitigation strategies in both urban and rural locations. He is also an experienced and recognised expert witness, presenting evidence before the council, the Environment Court, and the Board of Inquiry hearings.

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    Bruce Anderson

    Chairperson

    Bruce was appointed as a director of Woods in December 2021 and now chairs the board. He has a broad background starting with 11 years in the New Zealand Army, mainly as a Combat Engineer/Instructor. After leaving the Army, he went on to do a PhD in Economic Geology studying copper deposits in northern Western Australia. On returning to New Zealand, Bruce worked in the public sector in health and maritime.

    For the last ten years, Bruce has run a successful consultancy practice working with clients to resolve complex policy issues, design and implementation of pragmatic solutions, and the negotiation and resolution of challenging situations. The areas of speciality include governance; government, not-for-profit, and private sector strategy development; operational policy; and business/organisational development.

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    Daniel Williams

    Independent Director

    Daniel has been a Director of Woods for over 25 years and was Managing Director for over 15 of them. He has over 30 years of professional experience as a surveyor with involvement in a broad range of projects, including master-planned communities, large infrastructure builds, and commercial developments throughout New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Daniel enjoys the interaction with clients in the investigation and commencement of large projects and can see the bigger picture of development opportunities. He has successfully overseen the growth of the company to its current size through the use of technology and high performing staff.

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    David Kidd

    CEO

    David has over 25 years leadership experience in professional and financial services – both in New Zealand and overseas.  He has deep expertise in strategy, business development, marketing and operations – as well as working with diverse stakeholders to achieve shared objectives.  Known for being a creative and collaborative leader, David focuses on getting the best of out of people and delivering exceptional experiences for clients.

    David loves helping businesses to stand out and grow sustainably. He’s passionate about the critical role land and infrastructure development plays in creating inclusive sustainable communities where people can live, work and play.

    Prior to joining Woods, David was on the Executive of WSP New Zealand for five years as Director Client Experience and Strategic Advisory.

    A Kiwi citizen by choice, David has lived in New Zealand for over 20 years and has four kids aged 11 to 17.  Outside of work David’s interests reflect his Scottish/Kiwi heritage – golf, whisky and spending time in our beautiful Aotearoa.  David holds a Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in Political Studies from Leeds University, UK.

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    Mark Cochran

    GM South Island / Director

    Responsible for Woods’ South Island operation, Mark is a surveyor and engineer with over 25 years of experience in the Land Development industry.

    He is renowned for his work on a broad spectrum of design, planning, and surveying projects (infrastructure, commercial and residential) for both public and private sector clients. Mark has led several small to large-scale land development projects and enjoys the challenge of delivering a quality finished product for our clients and the community.

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    Mark Williams

    GM Major Projects Land Development / Director

    As a Director, Mark has a responsibility to do the right thing — for both Woods’ clients and staff.

    Since graduating in 1986, he has specialised in land development, an industry that has changed a great deal over the years.

    The most significant driver for Mark is that the work Woods undertakes results in places people want to live. So, to him, it is vital this ‘end game’ is always to the fore. Teaming this aspiration with the goals of a broad client base is a rewarding challenge that has kept Mark invigorated throughout his career.

Team


 

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    Emma

    GM Planning & Urban Design

    Emma brings a wealth of experience to her role, having worked in both the public and private sectors on a range of complex projects. Now, Emma continues to showcase her leadership skills by overseeing large-scale land development projects and leading the growth of her team.

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    Euan

    Principal Planner

    With 25 years’ experience in planning, Euan brings a invaluable knowledge of planning legislation and practice, and has managed a broad range of residential, commercial, rural and infrastructure development projects for local government and private sector clients.

    He is responsible for leading the planning input on Woods’ large scale residential projects and has proven leadership skills and management of multi-disciplinary teams. Euan worked as an independent planning consultant and held team management positions in Auckland Council before joining Woods in 2016.

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    Katie

    Senior Planner

    Katie is a planner with ten years + experience across both the private and local government sector. Katie began her planning career at Auckland Council in 2012, and since joining Woods in 2015 has been involved in large-scale land development projects and a secondment to the Piritahi Alliance preparing resource consent applications for Kāinga Ora. Her experience has involved the lodgement and processing of a wide range of notified and non-notified resource consent applications to deliver network infrastructure, large-scale subdivisions, residential terraced and apartment units, early childcare centres and commercial activities.

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    Sean

    Architectural Lead Associate

    Sean is a Senior Urban and Architectural designer with over 13 years’ experience over a broad range of projects in New Zealand, Australia and Middle East. He has experience in both urban design and architectural projects, with abilities as a conceptual designer at both a master planning and detailed level. His ability to manage and systematic approach means better results that exceeds brief and expectation and creates strong financial returns.