Our governance boards

Our operations are governed by two boards of highly experienced individuals from the building and construction and wider industries.

On this page:

Registered Master Builders Association Board

The Master Builders Board is responsible for governing our association.

Phil Brosnan (Chairperson) 

Phil Brosnan joined the Master Builders Board in 2023. Phil extensive career in construction has spanned over 30 years and he has also dedicated himself to empowering a diverse range of organisations in the business and not-for-profit sectors.

His construction career began in 1985, as an apprentice carpenter at Naylor Love where he advanced his career over 23 years before founding Brosnan in 2010 and Bettabuilt in 2014. He is a current director of the Brosnan and Bettabuilt group of companies, which have grown immensely, with national coverage and professional teams renowned for their expertise, efficiency, and integrity in construction.

Professionalism, commitment, and enthusiasm are three attributes credited to Phil's success, and these qualities shine in every aspect of his multifaceted role. Phil's passion lies in fostering excellence within the construction industry, with an overriding commitment to client success and the cultivation of long-term relationships that ensure the best possible outcomes.

Phil is also the deputy chair of the Building and Construction Trade Fund board. 
 

Kieren Mallon (President)

Kieren Mallon was appointed to the Master Builders Board in 2017 and as President in 2024. Kieren is currently Managing Director of Meridian Construction and Meridian Joinery which have been operating since 1989 and 1998 respectively. He is a current Director of Fodera Panelling Systems, LoftHQ and Vitruvion. Kieren is also a Board Director of The Building & Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) and Marist Alternative Education Ltd.

Kieren brings over 30 years' experience in the building construction industry and a proven track record in terms of Governance of organisations. He has also been a long-standing Auckland RMBA Executive member then President from 2004-2017. Kieren brings skills in entrepreneurial strategy, business transition, policy development and reviews, compliance with policy and regulations, risk management and governance, financial acumen, and advocacy. He has sat on a wide range of construction industry advisory groups: Auckland Council, BRANZ, Site Safe, and the ACC Corporation (compliance and health and safety the focus) and Business Mentors New Zealand.

Kieren is a chartered member of the NZIOD.
 

Tony Pexton (Vice President)

Tony joined the Master Builders Board in 2022 and is the director of TP Builders, a company of qualified builders who have been dedicated to producing high quality homes for their clients for well over 30 years. He is a past House of the Year entrant and category and supreme winner, entering homes in the competition from 1995 through to 2018. He is also a National House of the Year judge. 
 
Tony has been part of the Auckland executive since 2015 and was the Branch President for 3 years. He has been involved in the WOF process which he believes is a very important aspect of our membership system to ensure that we have a high standard of membership, and to ensure that our existing members are continuing to uphold the values and high standards of Master Builders.

Johnny Calley

Johnny Calley joined the Master Builders Board of Directors in 2017, Johnny served as National President between 2022 – 2024 and has recently been appointed to the Guarantees Company Board (Master Build Services). Prior to becoming a Board Director, Johnny served as an executive member and President of the Tauranga Branch so understands the complexities between regional and national governance. 

Johnny’s natural leadership style compliments his entrepreneurial skills which were used when growing his award-winning building company Calley Homes that he and his wife Michelle founded in 2008. 

Johnny has honed his skills by delivering a diverse range of residential building and development projects around New Zealand and the UK over the past 22 years. Strategic focus, attention to detail and commitment to delivery are attributes Johnny holds himself accountable for alongside personal development.   

As a trade qualified Carpenter, and Licensed Building Practitioner with Carpentry and Site 2 licences Johnny’s technical, regulatory and compliance skills are an asset as we navigate some of the complex challenges the building industry is trying to solve.

Outside of business Johnny is a proud husband, father of 3, and a keen age group triathlete.
 

Nick Clayton

Nick Clayton has been a Master Builders Director since 2023. 

Originally from a trade background, Nick has significant experience in managing a variety of different construction projects and delivery models. He is also a director at Naylor Love. 

Liz de Kort

Liz de Kort was appointed to the Master Builders Board in 2022. Liz has over 20 years’ experience in the construction industry as a client-side project manager. Liz originally worked in Horticulture attending Lincoln University and gaining a Diploma in Horticulture Management. After starting her family Liz took her career in a different direction beginning work as a project manager for a property developer. She’s worked for a broad range of organisations including the Foodstuffs supermarket cooperative, the Ministry of Education, the NZ Defence Force and most recently as a Project Director for Rubix Ltd.

Her construction experience includes big box retail, residential new builds, renovations and maintenance, leaky building remediation, and redevelopments in live environments. Construction projects in the education sector have been her main area of focus over the last 7 years.

Liz has been a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors since 2014. She holds a number of board positions on school, and sport and recreation boards.
 

Master Build Services Limited Board

Master Build Services Limited (MBS) provides the Master Build Guarantee and is governed by a separate Board.

Darrell Trigg (Chairperson)

A member of Master Builders for over 20 years, Darrell was the Chairman of the Auckland Master Builders from 2000 to 2013 and in 2022 became the Chairman of the MBS Board. Previously he was a Director of Construction Information Ltd, and is a current member of the Master Builders Commercial Working Group. 

Darrell is a very active Chief Fire Officer at the Ruakaka Volunteer Fire Brigade where he has served for over 29 years and is an Associate Member (by Examination) of the NZ Fire Brigade Institute, member of the NZ Institute of Building and the NZ Institute of Directors. 

Darrell is a trade qualified Carpenter and Licensed Building Practitioner; he has extensive involvement in all aspects of construction business and brings skills in developing future strategic direction and planning, with a clear understanding of grass roots issues facing the industry. 

Darrell brings skills in entrepreneurial strategy, business transition, policy development and reviews, compliance with policy and regulations, risk management and governance, financial acumen, and advocacy 

Phil Brosnan 

Phil Brosnan joined the MBS Board in April 2024. Phil extensive career in construction has spanned over 30 years and he has also dedicated himself to empowering a diverse range of organisations in the business and not-for-profit sectors.

His construction career began in 1985, as an apprentice carpenter at Naylor Love where he advanced his career over 23 years before founding Brosnan in 2010 and Bettabuilt in 2014. He is a current director of the Brosnan and Bettabuilt group of companies, which have grown immensely, with national coverage and professional teams renowned for their expertise, efficiency, and integrity in construction.

Professionalism, commitment, and enthusiasm are three attributes credited to Phil's success, and these qualities shine in every aspect of his multifaceted role. Phil's passion lies in fostering excellence within the construction industry, with an overriding commitment to client success and the cultivation of long-term relationships that ensure the best possible outcomes.

Phil is also the deputy chair of the Building and Construction Trade Fund board. 
 

Johnny Calley

Johnny Calley joined the Master Builders Board of Directors in 2017, Johnny served as National President between 2022 – 2024 and has recently been appointed to the Guarantees Company Board (Master Build Services). Prior to becoming a Board Director, Johnny served as an executive member and President of the Tauranga Branch so understands the complexities between regional and national governance. 

Johnny’s natural leadership style compliments his entrepreneurial skills which were used when growing his award-winning building company Calley Homes that he and his wife Michelle founded in 2008. 

Johnny has honed his skills by delivering a diverse range of residential building and development projects around New Zealand and the UK over the past 22 years. Strategic focus, attention to detail and commitment to delivery are attributes Johnny holds himself accountable for alongside personal development.   

As a trade qualified Carpenter, and Licensed Building Practitioner with Carpentry and Site 2 licences Johnny’s technical, regulatory and compliance skills are an asset as we navigate some of the complex challenges the building industry is trying to solve.

Outside of business Johnny is a proud husband, father of 3, and a keen age group triathlete.
 

Tony Dench 

 
Tony was appointed to the MBS Board in 2024.

He is an experienced Independent Director with a passion for applying governance principles in a practical and pragmatic manner. His career has spanned law, accounting, property development, banking and wider financial services in both New Zealand and the UK.

He has extensive practical experience in implementing risk management within highly regulated business sectors together with an in-depth knowledge of deal structuring and managing acquisitions. Working with a wide range of businesses over many years, he is an advocate for purpose-driven strategy to deliver sustainable growth.

Tony is a Chartered Accountant, a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors and holds a Bachelor of Law (Hons).

Tania Smith

Tania was appointed to the MBS Board in 2022. She is currently the Chief Financial Officer for Weta Workshop Limited. Tania has experience as a Finance and Corporate Services Executive and was also the Chief Financial Officer for Master Builders from 2014 to 2018. She has a wide range of experience and skills including risk management and the development of organisation risk frameworks; the development and implementation of organisation policies; developing, driving, and achieving strategic goals and objectives supported by robust business planning and budgeting processes.
 
Tania has an audit background at KPMG before moving into senior finance and Chief Financial Officer roles in New Zealand and London in a range of entities across the private, not for profit and public sectors including Summerset and BCITO.  
 
She is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Canterbury, majoring in accounting.