Recognition for Ortus Executive
May 6, 2014
A commitment to achieving outstanding works has seen a Wellington man elevated to the position of Associate with Ortus
International Limited, one of New Zealand’s leading quantity surveying, cost economic and insurance valuation companies.
Chris Russell (44) has been appointed Associate because of talent, loyalty and his ability to mastermind a project from
start to finish.
Chris, who has a Bachelor of Building Science and Graduate Diploma in Building Management from Victoria University,
joined Ortus NZ 14 years ago and has become an “important part of Ortus’s culture.”
His rise from Senior Quantity Surveyor to Associate where he will administer Ortus’s Wellington staff still allows time
for hands-on which he excels in.
He enjoys being involved at the start of a project and signing off at its completion. “To go from the lines on a paper
to a completed building is immensely satisfying to me,” Chris says.
Ortus has forged its reputation as a company with proven experience and expertise in all areas of property and
construction and provides cost control services to many of New Zealand’s largest corporate and financial institutions.
Chris has provided the quantity surveying work and is now monitoring the finances for the construction of a 47 unit
apartment block which is part of the Masonic Retirement Village at Woburn, Wellington.
This work involves fortnightly reporting to the Project Control Group (PCG) which evaluates the work in progress and
making the monthly payments to construction site staff.
“Ortus was chosen because of our past experience with retirement villages and our cost economics which enable projects
to be delivered on time and within budget,” Chris says.
“It’s up to me to make things run smoothly.”
By that he means estimating the cost, evaluating the reputation of the submitters, liaising with the bank that’s
financing the project and handling the ongoing payments.
Other projects with which Chris has had close involvement include the Regent Centre upgrade into Le Cordon Bleu New
Zealand Institute, the Cuba Street Apartments and retail development and the Harbourside Residential Development.
In the future Chris wants to see Ortus maintain its position as one of the top firms in the Asia Pacific region and, to
achieve that, he will further develop his own talents.
He regards nurturing staff under his watch as important and enhancing his speaking and presentation skills through
Toastmasters.
Loyalty is a quality that Chris regards as vital and he intends to remain an important part of the Ortus team.
“The directors have been good to work for and learn from. They’ve given me space and backed me up. We work in well
together,” he acknowledges, “and that’s important.”
Ends