Chris Short
Company: CGW Consulting Engineers
Job title: Chief Executive and Director
About Chris
As a current ACE New Zealand Board member and Chair of the Audit, Risk and Finance Committee, I’m committed to helping our industry evolve and advance. I’m the Chief Executive of CGW Consulting Engineers, a mid-sized SME and proud member of ACE.
I’d love to be elected for a second term and believe I have the right skills and experience to represent you, our membership, well. I have strong governance, management, and finance experience across both public and private sectors. These roles have equipped me with a broad commercial perspective and a clear understanding of what it takes to lead successful, people-focused organisations.
I’m passionate about fostering a strong culture where professionals can thrive. My leadership is defined by inclusive, values driven, analytical decision-making and I bring a focus on results, integrity, and accountability to everything I do.
Pepeha or whakapapa/family history
Kia ora koutou
Ko Chris Short tōku ingoa
He uri ahau nō ngā iwi Pākehā, nō Kotirana ōku tūpuna
Nō Whakatū ahau
Ko Tuao Wharepapa tōku maunga
Ka kauhoe au i ngā wai o Te Tai-o-Aorere
Ko au te Kaiwhakahaere Matua o CGW Consulting Engineers
Ngā mihi nui kia koutou katoa
Greetings to you all
My name is Chris Short
I’m of Pākehā descent and my family are originally from Scotland
I live in the Nelson region
My mountain is Mt Arthur
I swim in the waters of Tasman Bay
I’m the Chief Executive of CGW Consulting Engineers
Thank you everyone
What is your strategic vision for ACE New Zealand?
My strategic vision is for ACE to be the leading voice for consultants in our sector. ACE is critical as an advocate, engaging with government, industry, and the public to influence policy and promote the value of consulting and engineering professionals.
As an SME leader, I’m focused particularly on maximising this engagement and support to help small and mid-sized firms participate and achieve their goals and advance a healthy market. ACE has a significant role to play in supporting the development of a capable, innovative, thriving sector by sharing innovation and thought leadership, promoting best practice, providing resources, and fostering collaboration for a more sustainable, future-ready, and diverse industry.
What strengths would you bring to the ACE Board?
As current Vice President of the Board and Chair of the Audit, Risk and Finance Committee at ACE, I bring a wealth of governance experience and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing our industry.
As an SME leader, I bring critical perspective to the ACE Board, representing smaller members with a regional perspective.
I have over a decade of governance experience, including multiple roles as a chairperson, giving me insight into diverse organisational contexts and the ability to navigate complex strategic issues with confidence and clarity.
I offer a unique blend of financial acumen, commercial insight, and people-focused leadership. As an experienced executive with a background in finance, I understand the regulatory, compliance, and financial requirements of ACE and our sector well. I’ve worked with both publicly accountable and commercial boards, and I know how to balance strategic vision with operational accountability.
My inclusive leadership style ensures that diverse voices are heard and valued. I believe in creating space for all perspectives — across gender, ethnicity, age, and experience — to contribute meaningfully to decision making.
I’m committed to helping ACE support its members, especially SMEs, in building resilient, future-ready businesses.
What does diversity and inclusion mean to you?
As a current board member of ACE, I’m extremely proud of the work that the organisation is doing to advance diversity and inclusion. I believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to building a resilient, innovative, and future-ready profession.
For me, diversity means embracing gender, ethnicity, age, background, geography, and professional perspectives. It’s about ensuring that our industry reflects the communities we serve. Inclusion is about creating environments where all voices are not only welcomed, but actively heard, respected, and empowered to shape decisions and outcomes. It means fostering a culture where people feel safe to contribute, challenge ideas, and lead — regardless of their background or identity.
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