Navig8 is led by two directors who are both experienced at establishing, leading and improving capital projects across New Zealand and overseas. We bring complementary strengths, a shared belief that great projects are delivered by great teams, and a commitment to leaving the industry stronger than we found it.
Gavin Shaw is a trusted advisor, project leader, and champion for a stronger construction sector.
With a career spanning three decades, Gavin has led and delivered complex capital projects and major programmes across New Zealand’s construction sector – including both vertical and horizontal infrastructure assets. His project experience includes commercial buildings, healthcare facilities, transport, and civic infrastructure, collaborating with organisations such as Health New Zealand, Auckland International Airport, and the University of Auckland. His approach is shaped by hands-on experience in project execution, governance, procurement, and multidisciplinary team leadership.
Gavin’s expertise extends to leadership, governance, advisory, and evaluation roles on high-profile redevelopment projects. He is recognised for mentoring future leaders, supporting strategic and operational success, and providing industry insights that strengthen project outcomes and sector capability.
Beyond project delivery, Gavin is passionate about lifting capability across the sector. He is the founding Chair of the Society of Construction Contract Practitioners (SCCP), a national initiative to foster excellence in contract administration.
He is also Engineering New Zealand’s subject matter expert for NZS 3910 training, upskilling hundreds of engineers, clients, and contractors each year. His influence extends to standards development as a member of the review committees for NZS 3910, 3916, and 3917 – helping shape contracts that support a more efficient, sustainable, and thriving construction sector.
As a business leader, before Navig8, Gavin was General Manager of Beca’s Project Strategy and Delivery business, NZ’s largest collection of project and cost management professionals. He led the team through transformation and growth and played key roles in major alliances, including the NZDF Defence Estate & Infrastructure Alliance and the Wynyard Edge Alliance for America’s Cup 36.
Mark Thomson is a consultant, people-centred leader, and builder of capability across the construction sector.
With more than 20 years’ experience spanning project management, programme advisory and business leadership, Mark helps capital-intensive organisations establish, lead and improve their major projects and programmes. His career has taken him from building and infrastructure projects in New Zealand to infrastructure mega-projects across Australia and Africa, and back to advising organisations such as Auckland Council, KiwiRail, Fonterra, Auckland Airport and Auckland Transport. Having worked on the owner, design and EPCM sides of major commercial, industrial and infrastructure projects, he brings a practical, commercially grounded view of contracts, controls and risk.
Mark’s particular interest is the front end: the establishment phase, where governance, delivery model, commercial arrangements, controls and team structure are set. Getting these foundations right, together with the collaborative working arrangements that hold a programme together, is often what decides whether complex programmes succeed.
Mark believes great projects are delivered by great teams. Before joining Navig8, he created and led one of New Zealand’s largest and most successful Programme Management teams. He is an advocate of empowerment and creating the conditions for people to do their best work – as individuals and together.
Mark has always held a passion for finding better ways to do things, usually starting with getting the basics right first.
As Technical Leader for Project and Cost Management at a leading consultancy, Mark supported learning and capability development for 380 consultants across New Zealand, Australia and Asia. A commitment to lifting capability is central to his work at Navig8.
Mark has worked extensively with private and public sector organisations to build capability through training and coaching, along with pragmatic improvements to systems and processes.
Gavin and Mark bring complementary strengths: Gavin’s deep expertise in contracts, procurement and project delivery, and Mark’s in programme establishment, project controls and building high-performing teams. Together they’re known for bringing perspective, making things simple, motivating others, and always looking for ways to lift the sector.
At Navig8, we’re committed to starting conversations, sharing lessons learned, and making a real difference – one project at a time. We believe that by focusing on people, projects, and the wider industry, we can help New Zealand’s construction sector thrive.
If you’ve got a challenge, a question, or just want to see how Navig8 can help, get in touch. We’re here to help you find your way – and make your journey a success.