We are very proud to announce that our very own Hugh Johnstone won the Z People Award for Emerging Leader at the CCNZ National Conference. Hugh was one of four outstanding finalists and received the award in front of more than 500 attendees at Sky City Convention centre.
The panel of judges included leaders from CCNZ and Z Energy. The application process included the submission of a video of members of the Johnstone Construction team discussing what they valued about Hugh's leadership style and their experience working with him. Quantity Surveyor James Dawson summed up everyone's feelings stating "...he has incredible bandwidth, one minute he is in overalls working with the team on site and the next he is in a suit meeting a client and negotiating the next contract."
The judges visited the finalists at their construction sites to see them in action and talk to different team members to learn more about the businesses and how projects are run. In the introduction to the award, the MC described how the judges looked carefully at the individuals in their team environment and it was clear that Hugh led a team which showed a high level of organisation and dedication who together made an outstanding entrant in the category. Of Hugh, they said that it was clear he is an inspiring leader with a clear vision for his people and the business as well as an outstanding work ethic.
In his acceptance speech, Hugh proudly attributed the award directly to the whole team at Johnstone Construction, to his family, to the clients who have believed in and supported him and the guidance and leadership he has received from his family and the defence force where he is an NCO in the NZ Army Reserves.