Team

Mark is a director of Manteena – a position he’s held since 2000 following his commencement with the company as a cadet in 1994. In 2004, he was given responsibility for the general management of all Canberra activities as Canberra Branch Manager, in response to the strategic expansion of the company to include business operations in other regions. Mark officially became General Manager in 2008 and suceeded Simon Butt in the role of Chief Executive Officer in 2021.

Today, Mark’s role encompasses the executive management of all business streams within the Manteena Group, with an overall view to providing the strategic direction in close consultation with the Board of Directors for each entity: Manteena Commercial, Manteena Residential, Manteena Security and Zeroed by Manteena.

Mark is a graduate of the University of Canberra Construction Management degree and is passionate about seeing the next generation of graduates enter and excel in the industry. He is actively involved in a number of industry initiatives including as chair of the Property Council Economic Development & Infrastructure Committee and is a member of the Master Builders Commercial Council.

Mark holds a Bachelor of Construction Management & Economics (Hons) and Diploma of Interior Design. He was awarded the Australian Institute of Building – Chapter Medal in 1996.

Simon joined Manteena in 1997. Starting his career as a labourer, he has worked his way through the building site ranks – from administration roles through to project management then into senior management appointments.

In 2007, he was promoted to Manager of the Minor Works Division to lead the activities of this core business unit – a role which later evolved to include larger commercial building projects. He is an astute technical builder, who leads by example by imparting buildability and construction ingenuity knowledge for the betterment of his clients’ projects. As a leader, he openly shares his experience through the mentoring of junior staff and as a collaborative partner with his clients.

Simon has extensive experience in both the public and private sectors and a passion for identifying new technologies to improve efficiency and productivity within the business.

With over 40 years’ experience in the construction industry, across both operational and management roles, Rod has delivered many significant landmark projects throughout the region. His background in carpentry trade works provides him with a crucial understanding of applied construction techniques.

Rod’s a great communicator, so he was a natural choice for client liaison roles with several of Manteena’s key clients, including: the ACT Government; Land Development Agency; National Library of Australia, National Gallery of Australia; and the National Capital Authority. His ability to work with these clients on high-profile projects within the parliamentary triangle – while also leading the company’s team of administrative and supervisory staff, including trade contractors – has proven very successful.

Rod is a strong advocate for training & development within the construction industry and was chair of the Master Builders ACT Group Training – a role he held for 10 years.

Andrew joined Manteena in 1999, during which time he has successfully held administration and project management positions leading to his appointment as Manteena Security division manager in 2007. Now as General Manager, Director and Shareholder of Manteena Security, Andrew leads a team of highly qualified construction security practitioners, who are focussed on meeting the increasing demands of clients wanting secure built facilities or works completed within secure areas.

He has an impressive portfolio of experience working with clients such as: Australian Federal Police, Attorney General’s Department, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Defence, Department of Home Affairs, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Department of Infrastructure. There is also a growing portfolio of private clients requiring secure solutions.

Andrew is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Building, member of the American Society of Industrial Security (ASIS) and graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors course. He also holds a Bachelor of Construction Management & Economics (Hons), Advanced Diploma in Building & Construction Management, Advanced Diploma of Project Management and Diploma in Security & Risk Management.

Andrew is a licenced ACT Security consultant and holds individual building licences in ACT, Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland.

As a director and shareholder of Manteena Security, Peita holds the Business Development Director position within the company. Her primary expertise lies in delivery of complex security related projects and project management consultancy both within Australia and overseas.

Peita offers clients a wealth of experience in the overseas security sphere, drawing from her time as an engineering officer in the New Zealand Army, where she reached the rank of Major in 2010. During her service, Peita has held command, training and technical appointments. She has commanded a company sized organisation on operations, and has managed numerous security and humanitarian construction projects in complex environments such as Afghanistan and East Timor. This experience enables Peita to employ her pragmatic approach to problem solving, excellent stakeholder communications skills and developed leadership experience to manage complex security projects for clients, both domestically and internationally.

Peita was awarded the Distinguished Service Decoration from Her Majesty the Queen, holds a Masters in Engineering Science (Project Management), Bachelor of Civil Engineering (1st Class Honours) and is a Registered PRINCE2® Practitioner. Peita is currently President of the ACT chapter of the National Association for Women in Construction and has also served as vice president of the Australian Institute of Building (ACT).

Bringing together more than 30 years of international and local construction experience, Maurice has exceptional stakeholder management, communications and negotiations skills. Throughout Maurice’s career he has managed a range of successful projects across Ireland, England and Germany—including 15 years based in Australia.
Maurice has substantial experience working with a wide variety of different cultures, clients and co-workers and is an accredited construction focused mediator.
Maurice excels in stakeholder management and has a proven record of accomplishment in a maximising team performance, optimising efficiencies and building a highly productive work environment.
Prior to joining Manteena, Maurice held senior construction positions at Lendlease UX and St Hillers.

Lou’s career in the construction industry spans more than 45 years. With his wealth of experience and knowledge of trade, operational and management matters, it’s not surprising that he’s widely respected by his peers.

As a director of Manteena, Lou carries out executive management duties for the company, but also provides construction management support to both project managers and site supervisors. He’s also a certified skills assessor and trainer. His involvement with the Construction Industry Training Council and the Master Builders Association allows him to pass on his knowledge to the next generation of young builders entering the industry – it’s a contribution Lou takes pride in and enjoys greatly.

In recognition of his dedication and contribution to the industry, Lou was awarded the IFAWPCA-CHOI Construction Fieldman Award by the International Federation of Asian & Western Pacific Contractors’ Associations in 2007.

Pierse is a highly respected Senior Construction Manager with over 30 years’ experience within the construction industry. He has a comprehensive understanding of building techniques covering many different building styles, from single storey cottage residences to multi-storey unit developments and office buildings.

Now at Manteena, Pierse directs and manages all site-based construction teams, actively providing collaborative support and corroboration to every construction project. As a strong communicator, he excels at building relationships with key stakeholders.

Pierse displays a detailed knowledge of construction methodology, and issues surrounding the design and construction of commercial and residential developments. He is also very adept at the construction management of such projects – across all disciplines and trades, delivering works within building codes and in accordance with Australian standards. He also has a virtuous knowledge of site safety requirements and workplace occupational health and safety standards.

Throughout his career, Pierse has demonstrated exceptionally high levels of competence in various roles as a project foreman / construction manager. As a site manager, Pierse assumed leadership and responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of over 150 construction workers on-site at any one time, as well as the delivery of prominent buildings to the highest standards of quality, aesthetics and functionality. His sociable and approachable manor ensures a great rapport with all sub-contractors onsite; combined with his knowledge of construction, he has gained a respect which ultimately provides developers with high quality stock and many happy purchasers.

Anthony has progressed through the ranks of Manteena, starting his career as a Cadet, before moving into a Site Safety Advisor role and more recently promoted to HSEQ Manger. He exhibits a tenacious commitment toward workplace safety systems and to achieve continual improvement through Manteena’s integrated management system.

Anthony's wide knowledge of the construction industry is supplemented by formal industry training as a Safety Advisor.

The main focus of his HSEQ role is for continuous improvement in all aspects of Manteena's on-site culture; championing safe work site practices and leading the implementation of quality and environmental best practice.

Anthony works collaboratively with all stakeholders striving to achieve positive project outcomes that are incident and injury free.

Ricard immigrated to Australia from South Africa in 2007; and is now an Australian citizen.

He has over 25 years’ experience in the Construction Industry having completed his studies in Quantity Surveying. Over the past 10 years, Ricard has specialised in Estimating, and previously in Project Management & Quantity Surveying. His experience includes: Residential, Industrial, Health, Commercial, Education & Hospitality projects.

Ricard has prepared bids for all types of project procurement including hard dollar tenders; construction management; negotiated; and design & construct tenders.
Ricard’s obvious strength lies in his extensive cost planning experience which is often utilised to provide value engineering solutions during the tender and design phases.