Phil joined Corporate Risks in March 2025 following a career with Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ). Phil begun his journey at Henderson Volunteer Fire Brigade in 2011 and eventually completed the required training to move into an Advisor Risk Reduction role in Auckland City – New Zealand’s busiest district for fire calls.

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In his Advisor Risk Reduction role, Phil became the go-to expert for all fire safety matters, he developed a deep understanding of the complexities involved in balancing firefighting operational needs with New Zealand’s Building Code and related Standards, particularly in the context of new building projects and in buildings that were struggling to meet their obligations in regard to the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Regulations 2018 and the Fire and Emergency Act 2017 (Fire Safety, Evacuation Procedures, and Evacuation Schemes).

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Phil’s passion for fire safety and his exceptional talent for fire investigation set him apart. He has attended both wildfire and structure fires during his career, honing his ability to thoroughly assess fire scenes and determine the origin and cause with accuracy. His thirst for new knowledge has seen him attain certificates from over 40 specialized courses through the Certified Fire Investigator programme, including a Marine Fire course completed in Colorado, USA through the International Associations of Arson Investigators. Additionally, Phil completed the Fire Investigation 1 & 2 courses required to achieve the Specialist Fire Investigator title with FENZ.

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As an expert witness, Phil has provided critical testimony in District Court. Phil was recently summoned to the District Court with his fire investigation playing a key role in securing an early guilty plea.

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Prior to his time in the Risk Reduction team with FENZ, Phil gained valuable experience in the building and maintenance industry, as the Facility and Project Manager for New Zealand’s largest industrial site, NZ Steel in Glenbrook. In this role, he managed the compliance of building systems, life safety systems, and large-scale projects, while overseeing a team of nine full-time staff and contractors. His meticulous management led to a reputation for running the best-performing facility management team, as stated by the then NZ Steel contractor manager, further demonstrating his professionalism and attention to detail.

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Phil’s wealth of experience and technical expertise makes him an invaluable asset to Corporate Risks, and we are excited to welcome him to the team.