Company: Riley Consultants Ltd
Job title: Managing Director
About Steven
I am Managing Director and shareholder of Riley Consultants, a New Zealand-owned consulting engineering firm providing geotechnical, civil, water and environmental services. I have been with Riley for almost 30 years, beginning as a graduate engineering geologist and progressing through technical, operational and leadership roles before becoming Managing Director in 2022.
I am a Chartered Member of Engineering New Zealand and studied engineering at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. My career has included technical delivery, project leadership, client relationship management, business development, governance, and leading a multidisciplinary professional services business through changing market conditions. I have worked across New Zealand and spent short periods based in Fiji on major project work.
As Managing Director, I work closely with the Riley Board, senior management, shareholders and staff on strategy, financial performance, people leadership, risk, health and safety, and long-term business sustainability.
I am passionate about STEM development and regularly guest lecture at the University of Auckland’s School of Engineering, alongside supporting scholarships. I am also committed to ensuring New Zealand-owned small and medium consulting firms have a strong voice alongside larger firms, recognising the important role all parts of the sector play in New Zealand’s future.
Pepeha or whakapapa/family history
I’m from a very small family, and my upbringing included many good moments as well as its share of challenges. From them I learned the value of hard work, resilience, loyalty and making the most of the opportunities available.
I am deeply grateful for the sacrifices my father made, and for the foundation my family gave me. Their support helped me reach the position I am privileged to hold today.
I now have two children of my own, both of whom are developing their own interests in STEM. It is rewarding to see the next generation finding their own path, while carrying forward some of the values that shaped me.
What strengths would you bring to the ACE Board?
I will bring to the ACE New Zealand Board:
- Practical leadership experience – as Managing Director, Executive Director and shareholder of Riley Consultants, a New Zealand-owned, mid-sized consulting engineering firm navigating changing market conditions, financial pressure, governance, risk, health and safety, and people leadership;
- A strong member-firm perspective – particularly for small and medium New Zealand-owned consultancies operating within a diverse sector that includes local, national and multinational firms;
- Technical, commercial and governance credibility – as an engineering geologist, CMENZ, and leader of a multidisciplinary consultancy working across geotechnical, civil, water and environmental services;
- Commitment to future capability – including STEM development, regular guest lectures at the University of Auckland’s School of Engineering and supporting scholarships and graduate pathways;
- A constructive and pragmatic leadership style – focused on listening, weighing different perspectives, collaborating, making clear decisions and taking accountability for outcomes.
What is your strategic vision for ACE New Zealand?
My strategic vision for ACE New Zealand is for it to continue building a strong, practical and influential voice for consulting and engineering businesses of all sizes across New Zealand.
From my perspective, ACE appears to be moving in a positive direction. Recent initiatives such as the SME Summit feel like a significant step forward, and I would want to help sustain that momentum. ACE has an important role in ensuring small, medium and large member firms all see clear value in belonging, and that the diversity of business models across the sector is understood and represented in ACE.
I would like ACE to continue advocating for fair and sustainable commercial settings for consultants, including procurement, risk allocation, contract conditions and the value of professional advice. A healthy consulting sector is essential to good outcomes for clients, communities and New Zealand.
I also see workforce capability as a strategic priority. While other institutions have important roles in STEM development, ACE can continue to remind decision-makers of what matters, strengthen links between industry and education, and support awareness of consulting engineering as a meaningful and rewarding career path.
What does diversity and inclusion mean to you?
Diversity and inclusion mean creating environments where people with different backgrounds, experiences, perspectives and strengths can contribute meaningfully and be respected for the value they bring.
At Riley, inclusion is one of our five core values, alongside collaboration, respect, responsibility and integrity. I see these values as closely connected. Inclusion requires respectful behaviour, collaborative decision-making, personal responsibility and trust.
For me, diversity includes identity, culture, gender, age and background, but also diversity of thinking, technical discipline, business experience, regional perspective and firm size. In consulting, better decisions are made when different viewpoints are heard, tested and valued.
I am particularly interested in practical inclusion: supporting STEM participation, developing future leaders, removing unnecessary barriers, and ensuring people from different firms and backgrounds can see a place for themselves in the profession.