Local leader Jeremy Harker to head up QRS

Local leader Jeremy Harker was announced yesterday [27 July 2021] as new chief executive of Wairoa company Quality Roading and Services (QRS).

QRS board chair Guy Gaddum says Mr Harker was selected because of the wide range of experience and skills he’s developed while working in the private and public arena.

“Jeremy brings a wealth of experience in leadership, planning and organisation, and human resource management.  He is the right person to lead the company as we consolidate our position as a preferred supplier, contractor and employer in the civil contracting industry.”

Mr Harker is QRS’s people and capabilities manager and has been part of the leadership team for seven years. While at QRS he’s introduced initiatives to improve how the company develops and trains local staff, and overseen improvements ensuring safety and wellbeing are embedded in company culture.

For the past two months Mr Harker has been interim chief operating officer while the QRS board went through its process of selecting a new chief executive.

Mr Harker is excited and humbled to be chosen to lead QRS. He says his family, military background, and love for Wairoa, are his main influences.

“This is a town and company I’m passionate about and I want to continue with QRS’s vision which is to be a strong and successful company growing the Wairoa community.”

“The job now is to continue building value in the company name and leverage off our proud history to date so we can ensure continued returns for our sole shareholder and ratepayers.”

Before joining QRS in 2015 Mr Harker was the Commanding Officer of 5/7 Battalion of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment. He is a board director at Health Hawke’s Bay and has for 14 years headed the youth leadership and life skills programme CACTUS. Mr Harker is chair of the Hawkes Bay local advisory committee for Fire and Emergency New Zealand and local JAB Junior Rugby Wairoa treasurer.

Wairoa Mayor Craig Little congratulated Mr Harker on his appointment saying he has proven his capabilities and is an excellent choice to lead QRS into the future.

Mr Harker has also been a Wairoa District councillor for the past three terms. Council has sought advice from the Office of the Auditor General to ensure it is operating within legislation and has been assured that Mr Harker is able to carry out both roles.

Mr Little says Mr Harker has always been very professional in his management of any perceived or potential conflicts of interest during his past three terms as a councillor and while he has been employed by QRS.

“His QRS role has now changed, but we are confident he and Council will continue to manage any potential conflicts of interest. As a Council, we have a robust system in place to ensure best practice is followed.”

“We will continue to monitor and review this situation and, in the meantime, wish Jeremy all the best in his new position and look forward to his continued valuable work as an elected member and chairman of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee.”

29 July 2021

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