Hamilton based Scott Bicknell has recently been appointed as a new shareholding partner at Veros, joining their leadership team.
Scott joined Veros in 2019 and has since become not only an integral member of the Waikato team but also, part of a new generation of property industry leaders in the Waikato. A residential and land development expert, Scott utilises his strong background in environmental planning to establish and set the strategic direction of the project from the beginning.
“We’re delighted to announce this appointment that recognises the leadership of Scott within our team,” managing director Morgan Jones says. “Scott has a real passion for bringing about positive change in communities not only in the Waikato but throughout New Zealand. Scott is a well-respected leader who has grown and evolved our development management and property advisory capability.”
Scott has also recently been appointed to the newly formed Central Region Committee formed by the Property Council of New Zealand and, is a finalist for the Rider Levett Bucknall Young Achiever of the Year at this year’s Central Property People Awards. Currently managing large-scale master planned developments in Matamata, Taranaki, Te Awamutu and Rototuna North, Scott loves working collaboratively and creatively with councils to push the boundaries of what’s possible within the confinements of the consenting process.
“There is clearly a trend towards a more intensive built-form as the market adjusts to a lack of available land, changing regulatory framework, changing buyer preferences, infrastructure costs and the associated soaring land values. If we have any hope of delivering quality but more affordable housing in the current environment, it will be through density and new housing types.”
Although Scott is unashamedly commercially focussed, he emphasises that, “delivering greater density is always coupled with a need to deliver higher levels of amenity, particularly within the streetscape and built form”.
“When delivering master planned communities, the success of my role is in creating places that people are proud to call home, and have both an immediate and enduring sense of community and place.”
He notes that this comes with its own challenges, with council’s district planning rules typically behind the eight ball when it comes to trying to meet the needs of a maturing and extremely dynamic market. But he loves the challenge and is excited about the opportunity to deliver developments that are innovative and future focussed.
“More often than not, we challenge the status quo in order to deliver a great outcome. It’s a journey to build faith and comfort with regulatory authorities, but collaboration and solution focussed discussions and outcomes is what gets me up in the morning.”
A well-rounded property and development professional, his planning experience and land development expertise is complemented by an extensive background in high-performance sport and surf lifesaving. A former canoe sprint champion, Scott competed for New Zealand internationally for close to a decade in the K1, K2 and K4 events. It also explains why Scott does not seem afraid of high-pressure environments. A born competitor, Scott brings the energy he has applied throughout his life to the projects he manages.
Despite Scott’s competitiveness, he has a strong passion for surf lifesaving and giving back to the community. He is a clubbie at heart and continues to volunteer with the organisation.
Leaving behind the Olympic dream after the Rio Olympics, Scott moved to Hamilton for love and to continue his career. The move made sense; his wife Haley, runs and owns the popular Punnet Eatery
in Tamahere.
After several years in planning Scott knew the job wasn’t the right fit for him and he took a year off. In early 2019 he crossed paths with Veros by accident and decided to join the team predominately because of the people and culture of the company. “They bought me into the fold, and I haven’t look back since. The Veros team share a drive and passion that I was looking for, and is a culture that embraces innovation, leadership and bold thinking”
No longer just an up-and-coming person to watch, Scott is now a leader at both Veros and the property industry in the Waikato. From November this year Scott can be found at the new and larger Veros office space on Ward Street, which is a sign of good things to come.
