Hello!
Today, in our ever-changing environment, we need a creative, strategic + design-led approach. I’m here to help.
As an experienced Director + CEO, I bring key strengths in ‘spotting the gaps’, responding to challenges with a creative strategic approach, building + coaching integrated teamwork, + a natural curiosity + inquiring perspective.
These approaches draw from a broad range of experiences at the interface of high-performance sport, added-value manufacturing, design-thinking + innovation, research + design, sales + marketing, construction + entrepreneurial business.
Innovation drives my mahi
Strategic refresh - celebrating the ‘old’ past 40-years + preparing for the ‘new’ next-gen - an exercise in transformation, influence + building enthusiasm for change (for the Institute of Building, NZ, 2022+).
Strategy coordination, or ‘holding the pen’, for a new construction strategy and specific prefabrication (or OSM) input for a state-owned housing delivery agency (for Kainga Ora, NZ, 2021).
Stakeholder facilitation for the formation of a timber design centre of excellence by four research organisations with a government agency (for Ministry of Primary Industries, NZ, 2021).
Industry-led people strategy development for construction and infrastructure skills across New Zealand (for The Distillery + Construction Sector Accord, 2022).
Assessing research outputs of the Smart Housing Smaaland (Sweden) initiative - connecting universities, local government entities + industry funders with central government innovation funding (for Vinnova, Sweden’s innovation agency, 2020).
Coordinating customer-led industry input for developing an independent Construction Industry Rating Tool (iCIRT) with folks from building, development, certification, consultants (architects + engineers), insurers, + financiers (for Equifax, NSW, Australia, 2019).
Reviewing research outputs for SCION’s innovation in timber products for New Zealand government funding renewal, alongside experts from Australia / USA and Belgium / Central Europe (for SCION, NZ, 2019).
Presenting at conferences in Singapore, Canada + Australia on prefabrication (or OSM, offsite, modular) to international audiences of construction + property experts (for various international clients, 2012-2021).
Facilitating strategic stakeholder workshops on innovative construction methods to development + local government attendees in New Zealand (for various national construction industry clients, event managers, + government agencies, 2020-2022).
Coaching an architectural start-up for a design-led residential product to grow to market through business coaching, planning, connecting + website marketing (for Modulo + Archistudio, NZ, 2019-2023).
Creating an R&D ‘backlog’ Stocktake for a new agile delivery process for a New Zealand state-owned enterprise alongside a core innovation agency in the coolest little capital in the world (for CreativeHQ, NZ, 2021).
Design thinking + governance (DT+G) collaborative inquiry through LinkedIn thought-pieces, articles for web, + interactive workshops in urban centres (for Institute of Directors, NZ, 2021-2023).
I can help you with…
Creating new strategic opportunities by ‘spotting the gaps’:
using specific expertise in setting strategy, creating opportunities + growing innovation in the built environment, then applying it across other industries
Hustling, leading + influencing for stakeholder engagement + consensus building:
using experience gained as a construction industry association + social enterprise Chief Executive dealing with media, diverse groups + public speaking
Design-led thinking for Boards that want a creative, strategic + experienced approach:
using over a decade of governance expertise as a board member of commercial + non-profit entities in sporting, construction + research entities
I can assist with stakeholder consultation, strategic management, making change, design thinking, keynote presentations + interactive workshops built to respond to your specific + unique needs.
Here are some ‘conversation starters’ that can be sized, fine-tuned + skinned to fit your organisation’s needs…
XS (1-2 hours): a conversation that mines my intel: a decade as a CEO, 5,000+ construction industry contacts + a future-forward strategic approach - producing a list of great web-links, inspiration, ideas + personal contacts to explore on your own in response to a specific problem statement you need help with…
S (2-4 hours): a lunchtime Innovation101 seminar - an overview of terminology, theories, products + systems from across New Zealand + abroad - a way to open up a conversation at your organisation about working differently or approaching a problem from another angle…
M (up to 1 day): a light-touch half-day interactive discussing and exploring all of the above XS + S - offering you + your wider team the opportunity to dip into a problem area through interactive hands-on activities + innovative design aids from Doblin’s ‘Ten Types of Innovation’ to create more possibilities than you would have come up with on your own…
L (1-2 days): a deeper-dive day-long workshop providing an overview of the above XS, S + M, plus an introduction to the ‘Design Sprint’ methodology + prototyping which you may want to try on your own or with guidance from me in a following stage - a way to explore opportunities when you haven’t been on the ‘Design Sprint’ journey before + need to come up with a validated tested result targeted at your Customer Persona…
XL (1 week + prep): all previous XS, S, M + L steps leading into a full week dedicated ‘Design Sprint’ - needing a commitment of about five people from your team to dig deep into your Problem Statement, Customer Persona, Prototype Solutions, Testing + Evaluation - to validate those ideas you didn’t know you + your team had until we ‘black-box’ them to make your decision-making easier…
If you’d like to learn more about me, browse through the site.
If you see something you like, or you want to discuss what I can do for you, please get in touch.
Contact Pamela Bell by email: hello@pamelabell.nz
Past Projects
TedX Wellington, New Zealand (2016)
Building Momentum construction plan, Kainga Ora, New Zealand (2020)
SNUG ‘a home in my backyard’ design competition, New Zealand (2018-19)
iCIRT independent Construction Industry Rating Tool, Australia (2021)
HIVE home innovation village, Christchurch NZ (2012-14) + book (2016)
Kiwi Prefab book + exhibition, Puke Ariki, New Plymouth NZ (2012-13)
Others say …
Helen Anderson
- Governance professional
“Pamela Bell brings a strong customer focus, particularly in understanding where innovation can help reset the strategy for an organisation.
She has a strong technology focus and she’s always on top of emerging digital and business model trends.”
Gary Caulfield
- Former PrefabNZ Board Chair
“Throughout my association with PrefabNZ since 2010, I remain consistently impressed with Pamela Bell’s constant enthusiasm throughout the ever-changing construction and political landscape over this period.
The single constant remains Pamela’s communication skills and attention to detail!”
Dave Strachan
- Architect, Builder, Teacher
+ Former PrefabNZ Board Member
“I continue to be amazed at Pamela Bell’s drive and dedication…
I have no hesitation in recommending her for any position requiring drive, determination, research and a can-do attitude to take any project to ‘next level’.”
My skills include…
Key governance skills:
Macro perspective – an ability to take a broad + international view to problem-solving while keeping a focus on the end + local strategic goal
Intelligent inquiry – a personal confidence to probe and ask questions to reach my own conclusions and avoid ‘group-think’
Communications – a commitment to remind board + operations of the importance of clear, timely + transparent information to clients, members + wider stakeholders
Strategic thinking – experienced in Business Planning, Budgets + Financial Reporting
A listener, a thinker, a team contributor – able to absorb, process + re-evaluate new evidence into focused outcomes
Key operations skills:
Experienced people manager, team-building, on-boarding, and professional development
Development + management of direct communication material for all sales, marketing + stakeholder engagement purposes
Grow financial turnover through focused management of people, finances and assets
Stakeholder relationships:
Experienced development of subject matter expertise as the go-to voice + face of offsite manufacturing construction expertise with social, digital, TV, + radio media
Keynote presentations delivered to built environment conferences in NZ, Australia, South-East Asia, + North America
Developed detailed stakeholder engagement + communication plans for start-up initiatives in the built environment in NZ + Australia
Personal skills:
Exceptional organisational + time management skills
Enthusiastic + highly motivated by challenges + change
Ability to lead, listen + be an active team decision-maker
Experience
Chief Everything Officer, NZ Institute of Building Inc.
July 2022 - present
The Institute of Building in NZ (or NZIOB as it is known by those who are in the fold) is the member-driven organisation for individuals who manage stuff in the built environment - think design managers, site managers, construction managers, cost managers, project managers and hopefully more digital managers, environmental managers + innovation managers in time. This is a strategic refresh role to learn from the past 40 years + position the organisation for the next 40… See www.nziob.org.nz
Innovation Consultant, www.pamelabell.nz
July 2019 - present
Responding to problems with curiosity, a design-led approach, + proven delivery.
Founder + Chief Executive Officer, PrefabNZ Inc.
February 2010 - June 2019
For nearly a decade since inception in 2010, I was founding Chief Executive Officer of the innovative design and construction industry social enterprise + member-based organisation PrefabNZ Incorporated. PrefabNZ emerged from my Master of Architecture research recommendations into offsite construction for New Zealand.
Adjunct Professor, Victoria University of Wellington School of Architecture + Design Innovation
July 2020 - present
Honorary Adjunct Professor appointment from Victoria University of Wellington’s (VUW) School of Architecture + Design Innovation (SoADI). Establishment of prototype online course Design Thinking Business (SARC 384 + 484) launched summer 2020-21. Creation of new delivery mechanism alongside Teulo Continuing Professional Development (CPD) platform. See www.teulo.co/delve/now-time-crazy-ideas/
Governance Roles:
Urban Plus Group October 2020 - present (Chair)
Urban Plus Group is the Council Controlled Trading Organisation (CCTO) operating as the social housing provider, developer and landlord for the Hutt City Council (HCC) in the Greater Wellington Region. A broadening focus on increasing access to affordable housing units plus direct provision for emergency, social and affordable housing to market. See www.urbanplus.co.nz
National Assoc. Women in Construction, NAWIC May 2022 - present (Chair)
NAWIC is 100 years young in NZ and connected to the global network of women in construction entities. See www.nawic.org.nz
ConCOVE October 2020 - present
The Infrastructure and Construction Centre of Vocational Excellence (ConCOVE) was established as part part of the reforms of the vocational education sector ie. polytechnics + technical institutions. Key themes moving forward are about integrating innovative construction methods, productivity, sustainability, disruption + diversity into higher education to improve our construction sector. See www.concove.ac.nz
Abodo Wood January 2021 - present
Added-value timber is an emerging ‘NZ Inc.’ success story. It is also the future of sustainable construction in New Zealand and around the world. See www.abodo.co.nz
Seaview Marina January 2021 - present
Seaview Marina Ltd is the CCTO for HCC and located at the nexus between the Hutt Valley’s innovation district and the seaside township of Eastbourne. Future-focused development potential is on the agenda. See www.seaviewmarina.co.nz
BRANZ Group September 2017 - October 2020
Experienced director and CEO with key strengths in responding to challenges with a creative strategic focus, integrated teamwork, + an inquiring perspective from the interface of high-performance sport, innovation, design + construction, + business.
BRANZ is the Building Research Association of New Zealand. It is an independent and impartial research, testing, consulting and information company providing services and resources for the building industry. It is also the non-profit custodian or kaitiaki of the Building Research Levy which is guided by the Building Act (2004).
MBIE Building Advisory Panel May 2017 - April 2020
The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment’s Building Advisory Panel provides MBIE's Deputy Chief Executive of Building, Resources & Markets with independent strategic advice on issues facing the construction sector.
Education
July 2019 - August 2019
altMBA (Alternative MBA)
The altMBA is a digital sprint course founded in 2015 by bestselling author and entrepreneur Seth Godin. It is an intensive online workshop designed to help leaders level up.
The altMBA is an online leadership and management workshop. It uses digital tools like Slack, Discourse and Zoom to engage more than 100 students in an intense four-week process.
1991-1992 + 2000-2002
Bachelor of Architecture (First Class Honours), Victoria University of Wellington
The BArch final year design project was the publication of the Marketecture* magazine + corresponding launch of jewellery + clothing - exploring the link between branding + architecture.
The seven-year gap in the BArch was spent as a snowboard athlete, coach, founder of the NZ Snowboard Academy, and co-owner / designer / marketer of Fruition snow clothing.
July 2007 - June 2009
Master of Architecture at Victoria University of Wellington
The ‘Kiwi Prefab: Prefabricated Housing in NZ’ MArch thesis led to the 2010 'Kiwi Prefab' workshop where PrefabNZ was founded.
The MArch 'Kiwi Prefab' thesis was also the basis for the ‘Kiwi Prefab: Cottage to Cutting Edge’ book (co-authored with Mark Southcombe of Victoria University) and the ‘Kiwi Prefab: Cottage to Cutting Edge’ exhibition at Puke Ariki Museum, New Plymouth – Dec 1 2012 to Apr 1 2013.
1997-1999
Diploma of Business (Part), Massey University (Extramural)
Business papers were completed extramurally while competing on the World Cup snowboard circuit.
An interest in entrepreneurship has been explored through establishing enterprises, including Vertical Addictions, NZ Snowboard Academy, Fruition Snow Clothing + PrefabNZ Inc.
Awards
Distinguished Alumni, Victoria University of Wellington, 2019
Professional Finalist, National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) / Hays, 2017
Leadership Scholarship, Leadership NZ, 2015
Entrepreneurship Finalist, Fairfax Westpac Women of Influence, 2014
Excellence Award, Todd Foundation, 2008
Masters Scholarship, Victoria University of Wellington, 2007 + 2008
Young Achiever Scholarship, AMP, 1999-2001
Women to Watch, She / More Magazines, 1998
CV + References
Contact Pamela Bell at hello@pamelabell.nz for Curriculum Vitae + References
Say Hello !
My Office
326 Evans Bay Parade,
Hataitai, Wellington 6021,
New Zealand