RIC
Rail Infrastructure Consultants (NZ) Ltd

Our people

Meet our team

 
 
 
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Director

Rob French

  • Project governance and leadership

  • Project, contract and financial management

  • Constructability and planning

  • Procurement

  • Business case development

Since 1994, Rob has gained experience in the construction sector in New Zealand and the UK delivering large multidisciplinary rail projects. Recent projects include CRLL, LRT, Auckland Rail Development Programme (ARDP) 30-Year Strategy and developing and delivering KiwiRail’s Infrastructure Business Improvement Programme. Rob is experienced in managing consultants and contractors to deliver large complex projects from design to construction.

 
 

 
 
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DIRECTOR

James Clendon

  • Technical leadership

  • Systems engineering

  • Railway signalling

  • Train control and communications

  • Rolling stock

Since 1998, James has gained experience specialising in signalling, train control, ETCS, comms, rolling stock, systems, and project management. Following an honours degree in Electrical & Electronic Engineering, and five years with Tranz Rail in NZ, James then spent five years working on projects in Australia and the US. In the last ten years James has been instrumental to the upgrade of the entire Auckland network signalling system, implementation and optimisation of the new EMU fleet, and advisor to Auckland Transport on CRL.

 
 

 
 
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Director

Stephen Knight

  • Strategic Design and Value Engineering

  • Rail and road geometric design

  • Rapid optioneering

Since 1993, Stephen has gained design engineering experience gained across multiple rail, road, and civil projects. He has a proven track record delivering clever design solutions that have saved clients significant cost and/or improved benefits. Since 2006, Stephen has focused on delivering feasibility to construction design solutions across the Auckland Rail Network for KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, City Rail Link Ltd, NZTA, and MOT.

 
 

 
 
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Alan Muller

  • Construction scheduling and planning

  • Project management

Since 1989, Alan has gained experience working with construction companies and professional consultants both in New Zealand and abroad. Alan skills include project construction scheduling and planning, and experience on large scale complex rail projects. His wider experience includes rail (DART), as well as road, bridges, civil engineering, commercial and industrial building projects, water and waste treatment plant projects, and residential developments.

alan.muller@ricnz.co.nz

 
 

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Allan Neilson

  • Traction, Electrical and Comms

  • Rail Safety and Asset Management Systems

  • Heritage Tramway

Since 1974, Allan has gained experience through a 45yr career with KiwiRail and its predecessors. During this time, he held national signals design and engineering technical responsibility in various management positions which included involvement with traction, electrical and communications, rail safety systems and asset management and management systems. Allan has significant knowledge and experience in 1500v DC and 25kV AC main line rail systems, as well as 500v DC heritage tramway systems.

allan.neilson@ricnz.co.nz


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Desiree French

  • Project & Contract Management 

  • Construction Management 

  • Project Planning 

  • Business Administration 

  • Business Change

Since 2003, Desiree has gained experience in Project Management and Management Consulting roles in New Zealand and the UK, predominantly in the rail and construction industries.

Desiree is experienced in managing consultants and contractors alike and has successfully delivered projects in rail construction, business improvement and business change. As a management consultant Desiree has led system design, business case development, cost-out programmes, problem-solving workshops and staff training for corporates including Telecom and Carter Holt Harvey.

Desiree recently joined RIC part-time and offers management support to several small businesses in the construction industry.

desiree.french@ricnz.co.nz


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Jasen Taiaroa

  • Rail Geometric Design

  • Civil & Drainage Design

  • 12D / AutoCAD

  • Surveyor & Construction Support / Liaison

Since 1999, Jasen has gained civil design engineering experience on rail, road, and drainage projects both in New Zealand and Australia.

He has a proven track record delivering as part of ‘in house’ client teams collaborating with client staff and external consultants to deliver design solutions from concept to construction.

Jasen is experienced with designing under the KiwiRail design standards and has extensive knowledge of the Auckland rail network. Jasen has recently played key roles in geometric design for the City Rail Link project and Auckland Rail Development Programme (ARDP).

jasen.taiaroa@ricnz.co.nz


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Andrew Trust 

  • Rail Geometric Design

  • Permanent Way Engineering

  • Stabling Yards & Complex Junctions

  • Bentley Rail Track

  • AutoCAD

  • Surveying (Rail Specific)

Since 2008, Andrew has gained experience in the railway industry as a Rail Design Engineer and Railway Land Surveyor.

His comprehensive knowledge of track engineering and surveying inform excellent technical design solutions, as does his experienced with KiwiRail and the Auckland rail network.

Andrew has delivered for clients from feasibility/preliminary stage through to detailed design and setting out / construction.

andrew.trust@ricnz.co.nz


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Annie Porteous

  • Rail Signalling Schematics

  • AutoCAD Drafting

  • Rail & Road Civil Drawings

  • Roadmarking and Signalised intersection Layouts

Since 1991, Annie has gained experience in the civil engineering industry supporting major road, rail and urban development projects.

Her extensive AutoCAD experience combined with her civil engineering knowledge result in very efficient and effective drawing outputs for concept through to construction detailing.

Annie is highly trusted by clients for both her quality outputs, as well as her ability to question designer’s markups and presentation.

annie.porteous@ricnz.co.nz


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Carolyn Lawson

  • Office Management 

  • Invoice Administration

  • Administration Support

  • Project Support

Since 2005, Carolyn has gained experience in administration, sales and support, office management, customer service and event management.

Carolyn is a successful administrator highly experienced in working to identify Client needs, and then solving them using a wide range of approaches. She has the ability to quickly and confidently contribute to any team environment.

Her skills include preparation of technical documentation, assembling/editing reports, using the full Microsoft office suite, and has been trained in Fulcrum by Auckland Transport. Carolyn has worked for several global companies including Vodafone, Booz & Company and Visa Worldwide (NZ).

carolyn.lawson@ricnz.co.nz