Vincent Lobendahn appointed as Beca’s new Country Manager for Fiji

Beca is pleased to announce Vincent Lobendahn as the new Country Manager for Fiji, a key leadership role that will see him work towards building and strengthening partnerships with private, local, and state government sectors.

With an increased focus on the effects of climate change on the Pacific, and the need for resilient infrastructure and services, Vincent says there is no better time for him to relocate back home with skills and expertise that will contribute to the growth of the country.

"For me, it is a great honor and a privilege to be able to go back home and help with the development of my nation, something that not many Pacific Islanders get to do. I am looking forward to contributing to my community, using the years of international experience and knowledge I have gained, along with Beca's broader expertise," says Vincent.

As a chartered Professional Engineer in structural engineering in New Zealand and Ireland, Vincent has over 20 years of engineering experience in structural design, civil design, contract administration and construction monitoring. He has worked on several major and iconic infrastructure projects across New Zealand, including the New Lynn Rail trench (D&C), Victoria Park Tunnel Alliance, Waterview Connection, Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild, Mackays to Peka Peka Alliance and SH20A Kirkbride Road.

Originally from Fiji, with links to Rotuma and Samoa respectively, he spent four years working in Fiji and around the Pacific with Erasito Consultants Ltd on the Natadola Water Supply, Kings Wharf Rehabilitation and the Bua Bay Port, prior to joining Beca.

Vincent joined Beca in Auckland in 2007 for ten years before spending two years in Ireland and the UK. He then returned to Beca in 2019, where he lead Beca’s Auckland Civil Structures team for five years with over 50 engineers and designers. As Country Manager for Beca in Fiji, Vincent will return to the same Erasito Consultant’s Ltd office, a long-term partner of Beca, after 17 years overseas.

Vincent is passionate about the development of Maori and Pacifica engineers, and was part of the South Pacific Indigenous Engineering Students (SPIES) group and past president of the South Pacific Professional Engineering Excellence (SPPEEx) group.

“I’m a key supporter of developing and growing Māori and Pasifika engineers to give back to their communities. I hope that my return back to my homeland will lay the foundation and help inspire more Pacifica engineers and professionals to do the same,” Vincent adds.

Fiji is a key country in the Pacific for Beca, being a well-established location for trade, commerce and investment. Beca works with its partners in Fiji across the transport and infrastructure, buildings, land development, ports & marine, and advisory and defence sectors.