about us
At Roading & Building Recruitment, we offer a level of service and understanding unmatched in the industry, only possible from people who have been in those shoes (or steel caps!) themselves.
OUR TEAM
Roading and Building (RB) Recruitment was born after finding a distinct gap of knowledge in what is required of specific roles in civil and construction. We are on the ground working in Civil every day – we understand your needs. We know the intricacies and requirements of each role and the right people for the job.
We are a team of experienced and committed recruitment experts with our roots firmly in the South Island. Our consultants have decades of on the ground experience in civil, construction, truck driving and more with the licences and knowledge to really understand the industries we recruit for.
With offices in Christchurch, Auckland, Dunedin, Nelson and Queenstown, RB Recruitment can provide you with recruitment solutions throughout New Zealand.
BEN sexton
Managing Director
A South Island boy through and through, Ben moved to Christchurch to launch RB Recruitment in 2021. With over 12 years in Sales and Recruitment, and a number of years specifically on the ground in Civil, Ben has a wealth of knowledge and experience behind him to match the right people to the right job for you.
Having to hang the footy boots up due to a motorbike crash, he now enjoys spending his spare time snowboarding, mountain biking and hacking his way around a golf course (no really, he hacks badly!).
Tom Rodden
Regional Manager – North Island
Tom brings over a decade of Sales and Recruitment experience and a wealth of industry knowledge, having worked in several regions across Aotearoa. Tom’s passion for the industry stems from his belief of “bringing everyone on the journey” – from candidates, colleagues and client, Tom is a firm believer in ensuring everyone is given an opportunity to meet both personal and professional goals.
Currently living in a small beach town in the Manawatu, Tom makes the most of his coastal home and is an avid beach goer with his pooch Lola and 2 year old son. Otherwise you’ll find him spending time on the football field or zig zagging his way down the local golf course!
Kristan Gemmell
Branch Manager – Southern Branch
Kristan relocated his family back home to NZ in 2021 after 14 years in Australia. He worked in the dynamic and challenging Sydney recruitment industry, with his focus on civil, construction, rail, transport and logistics. He was part of some major government projects in Sydney such as the new Western Sydney airport build, various motorway and tunnel projects and some major Sydney train network upgrades.
When he’s not splitting his time between our Dunedin and Queenstown offices, you’ll find Kristan spending time with his family and coaching rugby. You may bump into him around the local Dunedin club rugby competition in 2022!
Amelia Fitzhardinge
Branch Manager - Auckland
Heading up our Tamaki Makaurau branch, Amelia brings a “make it happen” approach to everything while always delivering to a high standard. Her recruitment experience encompasses civil, construction (both residential and commercial) and manufacturing right across NZ. With a serious passion for people and a sparkling personality, she can connect with anyone, client or candidate, to find them a solution.
Having relocated to Tāmaki Makaurau in early 2022, Amelia makes the most of everything the big city has to offer – you’ll find her at the beach or exploring the region, or sampling one of the many bars, cafes or restaurants.
Ailish Thompson
Branch Manager - Wellington
Heading up our activity in NZ’s capital, Ailish brings over five year’s recruitment experience across civil, construction, manufacturing, and warehousing. Armed with a Bachelor of Business with a major in HR and a minor in business law, Ailish can navigate all manner of employment and HR situations with her positive outlook and passion for helping people.
For weekends and free time, Ailish loves nothing more than being a social butterfly. If she’s not zooming around the netball court or braving ocean swims in summer, you can find her hanging with her friends and loving the role of being the ‘fun aunty’ to their kids!
Jamie Tomars
Senior Recruitment Consultant - Christchurch
Hailing from the sunny Far North of New Zealand, Jamie brings over a decade of recruitment experience to the RB team. With nationwide networks across Construction, Manufacturing and Logistics, he has strong knowledge of multiple industries as well as experience of bulk recruitment and assessment centres. Jamie takes pride in working closely with his clients to achieve a successful outcome while prioritising role satisfaction for his team.
Between playing Rugby League and Basketball, the majority of Jamie’s “spare” time is spent with his daughter at the playground, beach or in the water creating memories along with his partner.
Luke Downey
Recruitment Consultant - Christchurch, Blenheim and Nelson
A Christchurch man born and bred, Luke brings with him over 20 years’ experience in civil construction. It’s safe to say he knows his way around a work site having previously been site foreman and civil operations manager, as well as having over a decade of truck driving under his belt - Luke loves trucks! After a 13 year stint in Australia, Luke has come home to bring up his children close to his Canterbury roots and put his diverse skillset to good use.
Family is everything to Luke, so when he’s not on site or at the office he can be found spending time with his friends and loved ones or tending to his veggie garden at home by the beach.
Samya harris
Marketing & Communications Manager
Samya joins us from the UK with a background in marketing and communications. Her previous roles have ranged from tech to FMCG and have been based from London to Sydney to Auckland while she travelled the world after University. Samya keeps things running smoothly behind the scenes while trying to keep the boys under control in the office!
Aotearoa has been her home for four years now, and she loves getting out to the mountains to explore all the beauty NZ has to offer. This year she’s taken up surfing and skiing, although insists it’s very much an ‘all the gear and no idea’ situation!
Sandra Dang
Payroll & Accounts Administrator
Born and raised in Tāmaki Makaurau, Sandra handles payroll and accounts across the entire business while supporting our Auckland office. After studying business accounting, Sandra worked in the accounts and payroll department for a youth disability charity. She is now ready to put her skills and experience to work, and excited for the challenge a diverse role in a growing recruitment agency will bring!
Always one to keep active and try new outdoor pursuits, Sandra loves to snowboard in the winter and enjoys hiking and snorkelling around Aotearoa’s gorgeous beaches in the warmer months.
Ollie dog - in loving memory
Head of Morale
In 2023 we sadly said goodbye to Ollie the English Springer/Fox Terrier Cross. Ollie loved coming in to our Christchurch office everyday, and was always on hand to offer a morale boost. He spent his days greeting guests with a friendly woof, playing with his ball and just being a good boy.
His biggest achievement would be running the length of New Zealand in aid of the Otago Hospice with his human in 2016. Not many pups can say they’ve done that!
