Meet our Wellington Regional Chair Thabit Shams
Thabit Shams is GHD Client Lead in Wellington and the new ACE New Zealand Regional Chair for the Wellington region. He has extensive commercial and technical skills gained from his roles and responsibilities in private and public sectors, including at governance level. We asked Thabit about his career and what he brings to the role.
Tell us about your career
I have a civil engineering degree and have delivered multiple projects under the public private partnership model in which I led the procurement.
I have experience as a commercial manager with Alliance and in construction management for renewable energy projects.
I have delivered four light rail transit projects and understand all rail operations. I have also delivered multiple heavy rail projects (freight and metro) and worked in the public and private sectors.
What are the consulting and engineering strengths of your region?
Wellington is particularly strong in public private partnerships, alliance and other alternative delivery models, including engineering skills in transport, tunnelling, rail, and renewable energy.
What strengths do you bring to the Regional Chair role?
I have political nuance and a large Wellington network of local community, consultants, banks and contractors.
I bring extensive experience in project leadership with further skillset in stakeholder management, iwi and community engagement, policy advisory, investment case advisory and asset management.
I also understand private financing, city deal structures, risk management and allocation based on major and minor projects, and opportunities for land mix development projects.
Tell us something interesting about yourself
I have been a best man six times, and I’m often referred to as the “the host that gives the most”. I also have a dog named Olive whom most of Wellington love, including the mayor.
What’s the best way for members to get in touch with you?
You can contact me via the ACE New Zealand Our People page.