One of RLB Auckland’s most respected and long-serving leaders, Richard Anderson is transitioning from his role as Director after an outstanding 40 years of service to the business and industry.
Richard has moved into a consultant position where he will continue to contribute to key RLB projects and remain closely involved in the business. The relationships he has built with clients over four decades, founded on trust, technical expertise, and genuine care for their outcomes, remain one of RLB’s most valued assets, and we are pleased that connection will continue.
Richard’s career with RLB is a story of ambition, adaptability, and enduring commitment. He arrived in Auckland from London in 1986, and when the aftershocks of the 1987 market crash created new challenges, he stepped forward to lead RLB’s expansion into Southern California, establishing the Los Angeles office and strengthening the firm’s West Coast presence. Returning to Auckland in 1994, he helped shape one of New Zealand’s most iconic developments, the SkyCity Casino, Hotels and Sky Tower, and in doing so helped establish RLB Auckland as a firm capable of delivering the most ambitious and complex projects in the country.
Throughout his career, Richard has delivered major projects for leading clients including SkyCity, Fonterra, Tainui Group Holdings, Southern Cross, Air New Zealand, and Health NZ. What distinguishes these relationships is not just the scale of the work, but the longevity of the trust Richard has earned, with many spanning decades and returning to RLB time and again because of him.
Richard’s contribution to RLB has always extended well beyond the projects he has led. His role in shaping the organisation’s leadership, governance, and strategic direction, both locally and globally, has been equally significant:
- Director and long-standing member of the RLB Oceania Executive for 10 years
- Appointed to the RLB Global Board in 2020, bringing New Zealand and Oceania’s perspective to international strategy at the highest level
- Chair of Global Risk, providing the calm, rigorous oversight that underpins sound decision-making and long-term business resilience across the RLB network
- Judge for the Property Council Awards since 2013, contributing more than a decade of expertise to recognising and raising standards across the New Zealand property and construction industry
“Richard is one of those rare people whose influence extends far beyond the projects he has delivered. Over 40 years he has helped shape this business, its culture, and its people, and his deep relationships with clients remain a genuine asset to RLB. We are fortunate that he will continue to contribute in his new role,” said Steve Gracey, Managing Director, Auckland.
Richard’s legacy is one of leadership, integrity, and deep commitment to the people and organisations he has served. His willingness to take on difficult challenges, whether opening new markets, leading through uncertainty, or mentoring the next generation of RLB professionals, reflects a career defined not just by what was built, but by how it was done. On behalf of everyone at RLB, we thank Richard for the extraordinary contribution he has made over 40 years, and look forward to the continued value he will bring in his new role.
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