Our staff are what makes Optimum tick. We are small enough to be agile and innovative, but still maintain enough scale and experience to ensure we can take a holistic approach to projects. Between them, our staff have a combined experience of hundreds of years in the property industry.
Daniel Godden has been involved in property development and management for over 25 years across all property classes. Resident in New Zealand for over 20 years, he has successfully completed a number of subdivisions, mixed use and hotel developments during this time as well as selection of office conversions. He regularly consults to local body, government and private clients on development and management of commercial property portfolios.
Simon Thomson has nearly 40 years’ experience in the construction industry and is known for his ability to deliver complex and major projects. Most recently Simon was Project Director for the rebuild of the Mount Eden Department of Corrections Facility and completion of the modular capacity program, both of which received accolades from external professional bodies. These projects have required careful planning to construct major facilities within and around existing operational environments, fast – tracked elements and parallel contracts to ensure programme is achieved.
Damien Bar has been involved with complex multi use projects over the last 20 years. These have included accommodation facilities, government projects and most recently within Lyttelton Port. Spanning experience throughout Europe and Australasia, Damien brings a unique approach to all his work.
Murray Gifford has over 30 years of experience in the construction industry both as a Project Manager and as a Senior Structural and Project Engineer. He has experience in delivery of projects for public and private sector clients and has covered extensive and complex contractual management roles for a variety of scenarios. Murray has supervised multiple projects for an array of contractors that exceed $200m in value. He has a practical, no nonsense approach to delivery.
Amy Knowles With a background spanning multiple facets of the construction industry, Amy fulfils the role of Project Co-ordinator for Optimum Projects. Her experience in project administration and document control, means that Amy is rapidly building a career in project management that allows her to focus on supporting our project teams through meeting peoples' needs and delivering a high standard of work. Amy is results driven and believes great planning and organisation is what makes her work successful and rewarding. In her spare time, Amy enjoys running and tramping out on Auckland's West Coast.
Joanne Southern has experience delivering and managing commercial projects throughout the South Island of New Zealand. Her personable approach combined with a thorough understanding of the property industry means she consistently delivers projects involving tight deadlines & budgets.
Michele Prue joined the Optimum team in 2016 in an accounts & administration role, has become the Health & Safety representative for the company, and more recently taken on the role of property management support.
Davy Kirby Harris has been involved in many different construction projects over a 15 year period, including infrastructure and large scale renewable energy projects. Davy worked his way up through the ranks working for a large construction company in the UK before taking on a number of client side project management roles, while working for a well established worldwide consultancy firm. Davy has a very efficient and pro-active approach to managing construction projects.
