About us

Phill is a Professional Director and Investor who spent most of his Executive Career building high growth export business in the technology and wine sectors. Phill was responsible for establishing the commercial footprint in a number of export markets for New Zealand’s largest wine producer and exporter, Indevin Group. He was also a shareholder and Group Board Member / Director during this time. Since retiring from his Executive career, Phill has taken on a number of Directorships and Advisory Board roles across the construction, property, technology and wine sectors where, in many cases, he has also invested in the businesses he works with via his private family investment vehicle. Phill is an energised professional who retains a huge enthusiasm for business and the key relationships that develop when growing great organisations. He holds a Bachelor of Management Studies (Hons) Degree and is a member of the NZ Institute of Directors.

Carl Saywell, founder of MSC, has spent the better part of the last decade building a multi-discipline civil construction company from the ground up. Prior to MSC, Carl worked on and managed multiple civil construction projects, maintenance contracts, and Alliance contracts across the greater Waikato. His experience includes pavement design and construction, asset management and maintenance, and surfacing and treatment selection, working in both contracting and council capacities. He took the best parts of these prior roles to create the team that is now MSC. "Great people building amazing infrastructure."

Gavin is a seasoned leader in the construction industry with over 35 years of applicable experience, both locally and abroad. He has held senior governance roles in various businesses include Regional Manager of Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Auckland regions, CEO and Director on numerous Boards. His personal values of integrity, collaboration and excellence typify his approach to relationships and business. He holds a NH Diploma Civil Engineering, PrCM, and PGDip in Management Studies (Distinction) and is a member of the NZ Institute of Directors.

Adena is a Chartered Accountant with over 15 years of experience in the construction industry, covering everything from civil projects to residential/commercial builds, land development, transport and trades. Over the past four years, she’s shifted gears to focus on advising and serving as an outsourced CFO, using her financial expertise to help small and medium-sized businesses grow. By setting up best practices and addressing common financial challenges, she helps these companies succeed. Adena firmly believes that every business, no matter its size, should start acting like the big business it aims to be—by investing in its people, processes, and systems.

Tom has worked in the civil engineering industry for over 22 years. He has managed a wide range of projects, including earthworks, drainage, retaining walls and pavement renewal programmes in the Waikato region. Tom understands the management styles required for specific applications. His commitment to project success and public satisfaction is evident in all the projects he undertakes, with delivering time-sensitive results to the highest standards as possible.

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Meet Carolyn Gardner, MSC's Surfacing Manager, who brings over 15 years of expertise in chipsealing, asphalt paving, and asphalt production to our team. A seasoned leader in the road surfacing industry, Carolyn has a proven track record of delivering top-quality results on local authority contracts, state highway networks, and private projects, all with a strong focus on quality and customer satisfaction.

With 18 years of experience in the construction industry, Ryan is a seasoned project manager specializing in a diverse range of projects, including structural civil work, roading, drainage, and earthworks. Known for a solution-driven approach, Ryan is dedicated to delivering quality results that meet client expectations and industry standards.

Throughout his career, Ryan has successfully overseen numerous complex projects, demonstrating a keen ability to manage resources, timelines, and budgets effectively. His commitment to fostering strong communication and collaboration among stakeholders ensures that every project runs smoothly from inception to completion.

Passionate about innovative problem-solving, Ryan leverages his extensive knowledge and experience to navigate challenges and implement practical solutions. He thrives in dynamic environments, adapting to evolving project needs while maintaining a focus on safety and sustainability.

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Alex brings a strategic and proactive approach to managing MS Civil Construction’s financial processes. With a strong background in bookkeeping and experience working with a range of clients across various industries, she brings valuable knowledge and insight to her role as Accountant and Senior Leadership Team Member. Alex leads the admin team and collaborates closely with our Project Managers to ensure financial clarity, streamline processes, and support informed decision-making. Known for her excellent attention to detail and ability to take initiative, she excels in problem-solving while working to deadlines. With a solid understanding of our operations, Alex is dedicated to creating a positive and productive team environment.

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Mary as estimator for MS Civil works closely with clients, project managers and any subcontractors required to provide accurate and comprehensive cost estimates for your civil construction projects. With a background in estimating and financial management she has been involved in a wide range of civil projects, from large-scale civil infrastructure tenders to small private ventures.

Sheree is an experienced HR and Contracts Manager with over 15 years of expertise in administration. She is all things people, skilfully managing HR, Payroll, and Contracts Administration while also being known as the “camp mother” for her ability to foster a supportive environment for employees. Whether liaising with clients, the Council, subcontractors, staff, or community members, Sheree ensures that operations run smoothly and efficiently. Her strong background in public relations, combined with excellent time management and clear, effective communication skills, makes her an invaluable team member who thrives under pressure.

Donald has over eleven years’ experience in the roading industry, with three years as lab tech, and seven years as a stabilizing operator in the South Island from doing everything from running crews to pricing, operating on the job, and invoicing. Donald has been a foreman for 8 years and is a great addition to the team with his hard work and can-do attitude.

Introducing Dave Gardner, MSC's Surfacing Operations Manager, who brings 20 years of hands-on experience in the industry. Having learned the ropes from the ground up, Dave excels in chipsealing, treatment selection, seal design, and plant selection. Known for delivering efficient, high-quality surfacing in any environment, his exceptional expertise ensures superior results for every project.

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Steve has over 18 years in the construction and earthworks industry, working in commercial/civil/and concrete structures, installing farm and forestry underpasses, box culverts and bridges during this time. He spent 8 years as a fulltime operator including 4 years overseas working in mineral exploration and construction. He has a further 8 years as an operator/site foreman and the last 2 years as a land development supervisor at MS Civil. Steve has a strong focus on doing the job right the first time and a dedication to training the younger team members the right way.

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