Hugh Goddard

Hugh Goddard, Managing Director of Pipeline and Civil, brings an Irish perspective (County Clare/Dublin, UCD engineering) shaped by 20+ years of international experience across Ireland, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Libya, Poland, and the UK before settling in New Zealand. His company is employee-owned (16 shareholders, ~120 team members) and works on critical infrastructure, water, wastewater pipelines, drainage, energy substations, and the Eastern Busway. His most striking position: "The industry is NOT broken, we need to stop feeling sorry for ourselves." He advocates taking ownership of challenges rather than defaulting to defeatism. On contracts, he champions NEC's time bars (which force issues to be resolved as they arise) over NZS 3910 (which he calls "one-way traffic"). He highlights that NZS 3910's program submission clause has no provision for the client to actually approve the program. The float ownership debate with Andy produces one of the episode's best moments, Andy calls it "the stupidest argument to have," while Hugh maintains "float is owned by the project." He also addresses mental health, calling the industry's outcomes "horrendously poor" (suicide, divorce rates).

Key Topics Discussed

• "Industry is NOT broken". Take ownership of challenges, stop defeatism, stop feeling sorry for ourselves.
• Employee ownership. 16 shareholders, ~120 team members, creates culture and grows leaders.
• Critical infrastructure work. Water, wastewater pipelines, drainage, energy substations, Eastern Busway.
• NEC vs NZS 3910. NEC time bars force resolution as issues arise; NZS 3910 is "one-way traffic."
• NZS 3910 program clause. No provision for the client to actually approve the program.
• Float ownership. Hugh: "Float is owned by the project." Andy: "The stupidest argument to have."
• International career. Ireland, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Libya, Poland, UK, then New Zealand.
• Mental Health in Construction. Industry has "horrendously poor" outcomes, suicide, divorce rates.
• Small business dominance. Average construction business is very small.

Notable Quotes

"The industry is NOT broken, we need to stop feeling sorry for ourselves."

"Float is owned by the project.", Hugh on float ownership, which Andy calls "the stupidest argument to have."

NZS 3910 is "one-way traffic.", Hugh comparing NZS 3910 unfavorably to NEC contracts.

Guest Background

Hugh Goddard is Managing Director of Pipeline and Civil, an employee-owned business. He is Irish (County Clare/Dublin), educated at UCD in engineering, with international experience across 7+ countries. He's been with Pipeline and Civil for 11.5 years.