Team
The force behind our success
We are problem solvers who think outside the box to find a better answer. We take in the big picture and apply a high level of due diligence upfront to deliver watertight solutions, a smooth process and successful outcome.
Mark Allan
Managing Director | Surveyor
Mark Allan
Managing Director | Surveyor
As a Registered Professional Surveyor, Mark already has over 35 years’ experience and expertise in urban design, civil works design, civil works construction, project management and land surveying. But as Managing Director of Eliot Sinclair as well, he’s essentially involved in the success of everything we do.
In his role, Mark continues to act as a consultant on certain projects, but he’s also responsible for overseeing the management and governance of our firm. He continues to learn through experience and by participating on several other Boards and Committees, but he’s always been passionate about mentoring people and empowering their success along the way.
Kate Shuker
Human Resources Manager
Kate Shuker
Human Resources Manager
Ryan Mulligan
Director | Queenstown Branch Manager
Ryan Mulligan
Director | Queenstown Branch Manager
As the person in charge of Eliot Sinclair’s expansion further south, Ryan’s role as a licenced cadastral surveyor and site engineer in Otago is balanced by his responsibility for procuring new projects across all of our disciplines.
For someone who’s skillset includes everything from topographical and laser scanning surveys, to construction, cadastral and boundary-related work on development projects of every shape and size; it’s a challenge he’s passionately undertaken. Part of what he enjoys so much about it is being able to offer concise, clear communications and solve problems quickly to keep projects moving.
Jerry Schutte
Associate | Regional Operations Manager
Jerry Schutte
Associate | Regional Operations Manager
With a background in surveying that spans over 40 years, Jerry has only spent one of them working somewhere other than Eliot Sinclair. In 1988 he worked as a draughtsperson designing Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport. Since returning to New Zealand, he’s worked in a number of roles on recognisable projects and developments here with our firm.
Jerry is an expert in topographical surveys, civil engineering works and managing land development projects. One of his career highlights was being part of the team that realised the award-winning Wigram Skies development of 1900 subdivisions; complete with a town centre and business park in Christchurch.
Travers Armstrong
Director | Structural Engineer
Travers Armstrong
Director | Structural Engineer
Travers joined Eliot Sinclair in 2017, bringing with him over a decade’s experience working on multistorey office, commercial, industrial and educational buildings, indoor and outdoor sports complexes and stadiums, and parking structures.
As a director, Travers contributes to the strategic direction of our firm and the execution of projects we undertake. As leader of the Structural Team, he’s able to work collaboratively with our designers, get out of the office to work collaboratively on site with clients, and help mentor graduates into chartered engineers.
Warren Haynes
Director | Surveyor
Warren Haynes
Director | Surveyor
As one of our firm’s directors, Warren works with our Management Team and the board to set the strategic direction of Eliot Sinclair. As one of our most experienced cadastral surveyors, Warren works closely with our clients and their solicitors to deliver completed developments with an emphasis on service, cost and efficiency.
Working from initial feasibility right through to the delivery of new records of titles, Warren has gained plenty of experience working in heavy construction - both overseas and in New Zealand. He remains calm under pressure and some of his greatest achievements have come amidst tense situations. First, when he was the Chief Surveyor on a large underground oil storage project in Saudi Arabia during the first Gulf War, and second when he contributed to the earthquake rebuild of Christchurch.
Claire McKeever
Principal | Resource Management Planner
Claire McKeever
Principal | Resource Management Planner
As leader of our Planning Team, Claire oversees everything from consent applications on large developments to helping mentor our skilled graduates. Her experience covers resource management planning for land development, land use, and subdivision projects. Claire also works closely with other Eliot Sinclair planners, engineers, urban designers, and sometimes council staff, to bring projects to life.
Working in our multi-disciplinary firm, Claire enjoys being able to work with experts in a number of fields for the same project. She sees her role as one that ‘makes things happen’, and finds it immensely rewarding to help clients achieve their goals.
Darren Hocken
Director | Surveyor
Darren Hocken
Director | Surveyor
With over 20 years' experience in New Zealand and the UK, Darren brings a wide range of survey skills to projects. He’s an allrounder with specialist skills in subdivision, topographic, construction, monitoring, UAV and earthquake-related-boundary definition surveys.
Darren is passionate about the combination of clear communication, latest technology and fundamental survey skills because he believes they result in superior service and advice. With a wide range of surveying skills and knowledge he ensures projects are carried out in the most effective manner and enjoys passing on these skills to the survey team and graduates.
Sophie Burtt
Urban Designer | Client Engagement Lead
Sophie Burtt
Urban Designer | Client Engagement Lead
Sophie is an urban designer with 20 years’ experience in both the private and public sectors. Sophie has studied and worked in New Zealand, the USA, the UAE and the UK, with a broad range of clients, communities, agencies, and organisations. She draws on this extensive experience to communicate, build consensus, and deliver both strategic and on-the-ground regeneration outcomes.
Sophie’s approach is place-led, with a strong focus on how, why and who will use - and benefit from - the places delivered. Sophie is collaborative, design-led, and delivery-focused.
Jade McFarlane
Associate | Landscape Architect & Urban Designer
Jade McFarlane
Associate | Landscape Architect & Urban Designer
As a Registered Landscape Architect, and leader of our Landscape and Urban Design team, Jade specialises in design, project management and strategic delivery. He works across everything from high-end residential projects through to large-scale community developments. As design lead on projects; he undertakes conceptual and feasibility studies, master planning, 3D modelling and visualisations, and construction management.
Jade also networks with the Māori design professionals’ group Ngā Aho, South Island Maori Landscape Architects (Te Tau-a-nuku) and New Zealand’s Urban Design Forum.
Andrew Marr
Associate | Rangiora Branch Manager | Surveyor
Andrew Marr
Associate | Rangiora Branch Manager | Surveyor
Andrew has over 20 years’ experience working as a surveyor between New Zealand and the UK. He’s an expert in cadastral/land surveys, land development and construction/engineering surveys; and he’s heavily involved throughout all related aspects of the projects he works on.
As someone who’s qualified to see a project from concept through to completion, Andrew takes pride in undertaking each key aspect; whether it’s topographical surveys at the beginning or land transfer surveys prior to client delivery. With considerable experience in construction overseas - as well as pre and post-quake Canterbury - Andrew knows exactly how to ensure a project is as stress free as possible.
Keith Mills
Associate | Surveyor
Keith Mills
Associate | Surveyor
Keith’s experience in surveying spans over three decades and two countries. Originally from South Africa, he worked in the public and private sector for 14 years before joining Eliot Sinclair in 2003. He’s undertaken a broad range of urban and rural land transfer surveys since; but the full breadth of his skillset also encompasses land development, topographical surveys, the setting out of project works, unit title developments and photogrammetrical control surveys.
Apart from enjoying mentoring the young graduate surveyors, one of his career highlights has being part of the ES team that produced the award-winning Wigram Skies development of 1900 subdivisions; complete with a town centre and business park in Christchurch
Richard Wilson
Director | Structural Engineer
Richard Wilson
Director | Structural Engineer
Richard has been with our firm his entire career. In his current role, he’s responsible for overseeing our firm’s strategy alongside our Board and Senior Leadership Team. Prior to becoming a director, he was heavily involved in some of Eliot Sinclair’s pivotal developments.
His extensive knowledge and experience in foundation and structural design, combined with his skills in geotechnical investigations of complicated land types, were integral during the aftermath of the Canterbury earthquakes. In recent years, he’s been called as an expert witness in insurance cases. His real passion is solving problems and providing practical, efficient engineering solutions to meet our clients’ requirements.
Brendan O'Connor
Structural Engineer
Brendan O'Connor
Structural Engineer
Kate Shaw
Structural Engineer - on Parental Leave
Kate Shaw
Structural Engineer - on Parental Leave
Nick Harwood
Principal | Geotechnical Engineer
Nick Harwood
Principal | Geotechnical Engineer
Nick has been with Eliot Sinclair since 2015, but his skills have been in great demand for years. He’s an expert in everything that happens underground, whether that be soil, rock, water or the relationships between all three. And especially after the Canterbury earthquakes, his knowledge, understanding and insight have been called upon by everyone from local homeowners to central government.
Someone who’s passionate about finding new ways to solve problems, Nick has done plenty for Christchurch since moving here from the UK. Notable highlights include helping save Redcliffs School and the Governors Bay jetty, and being called on as the first geotechnical engineer to stand as an expert witness in the aftermath of the Canterbury Earthquakes.