Hopkins Lecture 2023

Handshakes and contracts: can the construction sector improve?

Presented by Joanne Macgregor, Director, C Lund & Son Ltd. 

Jo will talk about the many changes in the construction industry over the last 30 years and managing the contradictions that are commercial contracted responsibilities, trust and teamwork.  She will provide insight into some of her experiences, the unique strengths of all the business’ participating in New Zealand’s construction industry, and when and how to leave those contracts in the bottom drawer.

About the speaker

After completing her Civil Engineering degree at the University of Canterbury and spending some time in structural design, Joanne Macgregor (Jo) joined her family’s construction company C Lund & Son in the late 80’s. A time when the construction industry suffered a major downturn, and for C Lund & Son, like many other construction companies, a time when business could have gone either way.  Highly motivated to continue succeeding in an industry the family company had already served for 30 years, C Lund & Son quickly became one of the top 5 NZ construction companies by revenue over the next 15 – 20 years, working predominantly in Canterbury. They carried out many significant commercial building projects and to a lesser extent civil projects for Government and local government agencies, and for many clients in industry and property development.  The completion of the new Christchurch Art Gallery in 2003 for Christchurch City Council being the highlight.  

Jo initially worked on site in charge of large commercial projects. For the most part her role at C Lund & Son has involved responsibility for overall business and commercial management company wide.

Her Civil Engineering qualification has enabled her to have a lifetime of involvement in the building and construction industry.  What can be achieved in New Zealand by the industry and professions working together continues to excite her. 

Find Joanne on LinkedIn 

About the event

• Doors open at 5.30pm
• Speaker introduction at 6.00pm
• Question time following
• Refreshments 7.30-8.00pm

This event will be Live Streamed via the UC Facebook page: www.facebook.com/UCEngineering

Background of the Hopkins Lecture

The Hopkins Lecture encourages discussion of engineering within the profession and public understanding of engineering issues. The inaugural lecture was held in 1978 with Professor HJ Hopkins himself as speaker. It covers broad and social engineering issues rather than being purely technical. The Hopkins Lecture is hosted by the Department of Civil and Natural Resources Engineering and supported by the Canterbury Branch of Engineering New Zealand.