Meet our Manawatu Regional Chair Campbell Ogilvie

Campbell Ogilvie is an experienced project manager who leads the WSP Infrastructure team in Palmerston North. He’s the new ACE New Zealand Regional Chair for the Manawatu region and is keen to hear from local members. We talk to Campbell about his career and what he brings to the role.

Campbell Ogilvie

Tell us about your career so far?   

I’m a civil engineer, living and working in Palmerston North with just over 20 years of experience as a consulting engineer.   

I studied and began my career as a graduate civil and environmental engineer in Christchurch before moving to the UK in 2002. I spent 15 years over there, working as a consulting engineer from 2003 through to 2017.  

I was involved in several industry groups in the UK, such as the Contaminated Land Group within the Environmental Industries Commission.  

I have technical experience in the contaminated land, hydrogeology and geotechnical engineering fields, but have spent the majority of the past 10 years as a project manager on large infrastructure projects in the transport, mining, power and buildings sectors.   

When I returned to New Zealand with my family, I settled in Palmerston North and started working for WSP.  

Now I manage the Palmerston North WSP Infrastructure team, which is a team of seven. And as project manager, I am the WSP lead for the Speed Management Programme and various other projects for Waka Kotahi, NZDF and other clients.    

Outside of the professional environment I’ve had significant experience on various community sports committees. 

What strengths do you bring to the ACE New Zealand Regional Chair role? 

Like many engineers, I am a problem solver. I have an ability to understand, explain and resolve complex issues, both within design teams and within wider project stakeholder groups. 

I have a good understanding of the commercial pressures and realities facing our industry, and I’m a strong advocate for the work we do and the value we bring to our clients and community. 

As the manager of panel projects where we’re required to work alongside and share work with other consulting engineers, I am familiar with working collaboratively with my peers in other organisations. 

What are the consulting and engineering strengths of your region? 

There’s a large amount of money currently being spent on infrastructure in the region – now and planned for the next few years.  To support the planning, design and delivery of this, the consulting and engineering industry locally has a good mix of locally based professionals, backed in many cases by national and international expertise that can be called on to assist.   

With Massey University and other training providers located here in the region, we have a steady stream of graduate engineers and associated professionals and opportunities for further education. 

As a Regional Chair for ACE New Zealand, what support can you offer members in the Manawatu?  

The role provides a close connection to the ACE New Zealand leadership team, so I’ll meet regularly with the board to elevate any regional ideas and issues that members have.  

I’ll be speaking to potential new members who want to join ACE, and hosting a couple of events over the next year to bring people in the region together.  

I’ll generally be a voice for the consulting and engineering industry in the Manawatu, and helping to bring the ACE strategy to life.   

What’s the best way for members to get in touch with you?  

All my details are on the ACE New Zealand people page