Working for you SIMON COLLETT Simon was born and raised in Nelson. After leaving Waimea College he attended Nelson Polytechnic, completing a carpentry course before working as an apprentice builder locally. Upon completing his three-year apprenticeship, Simon founded his own business at the age of 21. Between the ages of 21-26, he built up Simon Collett Builders Ltd to achieve 20 new homes per annum. His next step was to get involved in the housing company structure, and become both builder and businessman. With support of wife Kylie, Simon joined the Jennian group in 2001, and purchased a site to complete a show home. This was a great success. “I hold the record for the most homes sold over a year with the Jennian group and my Nelson-based franchise holds the most franchise awards in Jennian’s 35+ year history.” Simon now operates Jennian Homes Nelson from a custom-built building, including a selection centre at 6 Champion Road, Richmond, and also owns and operates a separate building brand, Milestone Homes (founded 2008). ANDREW SPITTAL Andrew is a born and bred Nelson boy, completing his secondary education at Waimea College. Rugby was a big part of Andrew’s early years, representing Nelson at a national provincial level.
Andrew initially qualified as a butcher’s apprentice before working at the Nelson Freezing Works for seven years. During this period, Andrew worked for Neil Ching Drainlayers during the off-season, eventually opting to work fulltime as a drainlayer and completing his drainlaying qualification. In 1994, he bought into the business then subsequently, along with his wife Deborah, became the sole owners of the now Ching Contracting Ltd. Over the last 20 years the business has been transformed from what was essentially a residential drainage business into Nelson’s largest specialist drainage and water reticulation specialist. GRAHAM VERCOE A local Nelson lad, Graham spent his early years moving between Stoke and Richmond, where he attended Waimea College. Graham entered the industry through an apprenticeship in Carpentry & Joinery with local firm W.E Wilkes, completing his 4000 hours by mid-1979. Marrying in November that year, Graham shifted to Sydney for what turned out to be a two-year stay. During his time in Sydney, Graham worked on various building projects within the residential field and founded his own building company. He moved back to his hometown in October 1992 and spent eight years buying property, redeveloping the sites and converting one house into three or four
Home Living Solutions is a syndicate of four local Nelson lads who set out to create affordable new homes in the Nelson region. town houses. In late 2000 Graham purchased the Nelson/Tasman GJ Gardner Homes franchise. During the last 16 years the company has built hundreds of homes. GARY DONALDSON Gary moved to Nelson aged 9 and spent his early years in Stoke. On leaving high school, he trained with NZPO, becoming a skilled telecommunication linesman. During the early stages of his career Gary spent time in both Australia and New Zealand. It was during this time Gary met his wife, Lynley, with whom he spent eight months travelling the world. Returning to Australia, the pair married and had their first son, Luke. They returned home to New Zealand in 1988 where Gary joined forces with old school mate Gary Adcock to form Adcock & Donaldson Contracting. He spent the next 22 years growing the business then in August 2012 took full ownership of the contracting company, which was rebranded to Donaldson Civil in early 2013. The company has gone from strength to strength since the change in ownership.
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