Changes to HG’s leadership as Glen Cornelius steps back

April 2023

After being appointed in 2010 to lead HG, Glen Cornelius stepped aside as Harrison Grierson’s Chief Executive on 31 March 2023.

During his time as Chief Executive (and previously Managing Director) Glen has led HG through significant change, transforming nearly every aspect of our organisation. He has re-shaped HG to be an employee-owned business, rebranding and repositioning the company to be a Next Generation organisation, and driving the acquisitions of e-Spatial and T2 to enable the development of our digital and transport offerings. Glen led us through the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting the wellbeing of our people and our clients with a determination for us all to succeed. He has been a constant advocate of diversity and inclusion, always focusing on doing what is right for HG, our people and our clients.

Announcing the news, our Chair, Jo Brosnahan, said she was delighted that Glen is remaining at HG as Leader of Strategic Initiatives. She thanked Glen for his outstanding contribution and commitment to the company, noting he has been with HG for 27 years overall. Jo also congratulated Glen on his appointment as President of Engineering New Zealand Te Ao Rangahau (ENZ) on 24 March 2023.   

New leadership

A warm congratulations to Karen West, our Head of People & Communications, on her appointment as Transitional Chief Executive effective 1 April 2023.

Karen has been with HG for 12 years and in 2017 her strategic strengths, leadership and innovative thinking were recognised when she became the first woman employee to be appointed to HG’s Board from within the company. Her talents were further recognised with her appointment to the board of Infrastructure New Zealand in 2018. Karen has led HG’s focus on clients and outstanding service delivery, as well as a cultural change to people-first values and practices. She has been instrumental in driving through the company’s brand strategy, brand values and new visual identity and has a strong focus on business management and operations. Karen exemplifies our commitment to creating amazing communities with people at the heart of everything that we do. Karen is supported in her leadership of the company by Dave Needham, Head of Operations at HG and Ceinwen McNeil, our newly appointed Head of Strategy and Clients.