For nearly 100 years, Stevenson has played a major role in developing New Zealand’s roading and infrastructure. We are a major player in the country’s construction industry, supplying aggregates and a very wide range of concrete-based building products. We have strong roots in land-based businesses including mining and quarry management, agriculture and property. We are a trusted provider of engineering and related services among the industries we work in.

Natalie Colson
Financial Controller, Stevenson Agriculture and Stevenson Properties

From her beginnings as an accountant at Hynds Precast to her current position as Financial Controller of both Stevenson Agriculture and Stevenson Properties, Natalie Colson’s flair for finance has given her many opportunities within the Stevenson Group to hone her expertise.

Natalie completed her accounting studies at Auckland University and recently finished her degree through Manukau Business School at MIT. Her first job was with Turners and Growers, followed by 12 months travelling abroad. On her return to New Zealand in 1991 she joined Hynds Precast and worked there for five years. The company was purchased by the Stevenson Group in September 1996 and renamed Stevenson Precast. Natalie remained with the company under its new ownership and since then has worked not only at Precast but in a variety of roles and special projects throughout her time at Stevenson.

She works closely with both Lochinver General Manager Brian Gibson and also with Property Chief Executive Alison Hunter, to manage the financial side of their businesses. Although based mainly at Auckland’s East Tamaki head office, Natalie’s work with Lochinver, located 30 kilometres south-east of Taupo, has involved her in spending part of every week down at the farm.

When asked what constitutes a typical day for her when visiting Lochinver, she laughs and says: ‘It depends on what mood Brian is in. He might ask me to put my gumboots on and get out onto the farm. But seriously, we’ll talk through what we’re targeting to achieve for the month. I monitor the expenditure very closely for our farms and bring Brian up to speed with the status of our current building projects. I also meet regularly with Lochinver’s Operations Manager Ineke Stearn and catch up with the farm team to stay in touch with the farm’s activities.

‘Stevenson Agriculture is going through exciting times. It’s a fascinating journey to get the farms on track. Each year we’ve improved the performance of the farms,’ she says with pride.

‘I enjoy my work. I’ve been very lucky, there’s always something going on with one of the farms – particularly at Lochinver. I’m passionate about Lochinver and have really thrown myself into the work. I’m not constantly number crunching. I have a lot of variety within my role. Stevenson has given me the opportunity to move around its various companies. This has helped me to gain experience in a range of areas.’

Over the course of this year Brian will gradually hand over more of his management responsibilities to Natalie, to ease his workload.

‘I’m also keen to help Brian oversee our Drury and Huntly farms. He has highlighted the need for me to complete a couple of key agriculture farming papers to further my knowledge, if I’m to take on this role. So it looks as if I’ll be returning to studying again,’ she says. ‘I’m also doing a project management course this year.

‘Brian and I work together well as a team. We both acknowledge each others’ strengths and the extra effort that’s required to get the farms back on track. He’s taken the time to ensure that I have a good understanding of farming. Thanks to his input I’ve learnt a lot about the factors that contribute to the success of a large-scale farming operation.’

Natalie works alongside Lochinver Station’s carpenter to complete the upgrading of all farm houses and other development projects, reporting back to Brian not just on Lochinver but on all of the Stevenson farms.

‘Current building projects include the completion of our new covered yards facility at Lochinver. We’re also in the process of designing the new Ross Stevenson Senior Operations Centre, named after the recently deceased Ross Stevenson Senior. The facility will become the hub of Stevenson Agriculture administration.’

Outside work Natalie loves spending time with her five-year-old daughter, catching up with friends, working out at the gym or going for a run around the waterfront.