Talking to Arrow International’s new chief executive Mark Hopwood, you get the feeling he’d like nothing more than to spend his days on site, talking and working with some of the 400 plus employees in his charge.

A self-confessed ‘sports-nut’ whose competitive streak saw him competing in various sports at a regional level, Hopwood grew up learning the ropes of business, living and breathing his father’s entrepreneurial sales and import company, run from the family home near Cambridge.

Realising his passion for business and building things, he went on to run his own manufacturing business, making rubber matting out of recycled car tyres. He also completed a civil engineering degree at The University of Auckland and an MBA at The University of Otago.

Hopwood worked for various construction and professional engineering companies including Transfield Services where he headed their civil infrastructure business. He then joined the executive team at Downer EDI NZ, before landing his first chief executive role, running an Australasian stainless steel manufacturing business.

Two years later, at the end of 2011, he was asked to lead Arrow International’s New Zealand operations.
Under his leadership, Arrow New Zealand has grown to become one of the largest construction companies in the country with an annual turnover of well over $300 million.

In October this year, the Arrow board added to his responsibilities, and he was promoted to chief executive officer on both sides of the Tasman. He was also appointed to the Arrow Group Board.

While Hopwood brings a wealth of personal experience to Arrow’s top role, which draws on his background in technology, lean manufacturing and engineering, it’s not until you get him talking about Arrow’s projects and staff that his enthusiasm really starts to show.

“I love the fact that Arrow is a construction company with a strong professional capability. We can build projects with real scale that require intelligent people, focused on taking on difficult projects and making them successful.

“I am passionate about seeing people’s careers develop and knowing my role can have a positive impact on their lives. That’s why we focus on having good people and providing them with the means to grow and develop as individuals. We work hard on company culture and empowering and motivating our people. I personally make a point of meeting every new person at their two-day orientation and always enjoy my regular visits to the branches and projects.

“Together, we can really make a difference to New Zealand and that inspires me.”

This approach appears to be working, with Arrow finding success as a finalist in the annual Best Places to Work survey in 2014. Arrow also won seven finalist places, two categories and the overall Supreme Award at the recent New Zealand Institute of Building Awards.

Hopwood says the more difficult aspect of the role is allowing clients to see the real value Arrow can bring to projects through different ways of working. “Too many projects are just based on cost rather than thinking about the full life cycle of a project. We can save up to 20 per cent of the build cost and reduce maintenance costs by working closely with our clients, particularly if we get involved early.”

Hopwood is particularly proud of Arrow’s work on Te Uru Taumatua, Tuhoe’s new headquarters in Taneatua near Whakatane - a New Zealand first for innovation in earthquake resistance and environmental performance.

“It’s New Zealand’s first ‘living building’. All water comes from on site; waste water is treated on site; and 390 solar panels mean Tuhoe had just one power bill in the first four months. But it’s so much more than that. The more I talked with Tuhoe, the more I realised it wasn’t just a great building: It was the contribution the building makes to their community that makes it so special.”

And as for the construction industry in New Zealand in general, Hopwood is optimistic. “The industry as a whole is very, very buoyant particularly in Auckland and Christchurch, but we’re also seeing some great projects coming up in other places. Arrow has some big projects underway in Hamilton, Queenstown and the far north to name just a few.”