Lead Team

Rhys Jones

Rhys Jones

Chief Executive Officer, Managing Director

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Rhys Jones

Rhys Jones

Chief Executive Officer, Managing Director

  • Rhys joined Vulcan in 2006 as an Executive Director and became Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director in 2011.
  • Rhys has previously held several management positions within the steel industry including as an executive of Fletcher EasySteel NZ and General Manager/Chief Executive Officer of Pacific Steel and Wiremakers.
  • Rhys was formerly the Chief Operating Officer of Carter Holt Harvey’s Pulp, Paper, Packaging and New Ventures division at the time of the Rank Group takeover.
  • Rhys also serves as a director of Ridley Corporation and Metro Performance Glass.
  • Rhys holds a Bachelor of Science from Victoria University of Wellington. In addition, Rhys holds a Bachelor of Business Studies with first class honours and a Masters in Business Studies by thesis from Massey University.

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Kar Yue Yeo

Kar Yue Yeo

Chief Financial Officer

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Kar Yue Yeo

Kar Yue Yeo

Chief Financial Officer

  • Kar Yue is the Chief Financial Officer, leading Vulcan’s finance and accounting teams. Kar Yue is responsible for Vulcan’s financial strategy, reporting, budgeting and forecasting.
  • Kar Yue consulted to Vulcan for over two years before joining the Company in December 2020. Prior to joining Vulcan, Kar Yue worked as an adviser to several publicly listed and private businesses in New Zealand and overseas in the consumer foods and industrial sectors on process improvement, product range optimisation, channels-to-markets and business portfolio rationalisation and strategies.
  • Kar Yue has worked in financial markets for over 25 years, with previous roles at Jarden, Citigroup and Deutsche Morgan Grenfell across New Zealand, Australia and Asia as an equity research analyst covering a range of industrial sectors including steel, and held leadership roles during this period.
  • Kar Yue was also an auditor for three years.
  • Kar Yue holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration from Victoria University of Wellington.

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Adrian Casey

Adrian Casey

Chief Operating Officer

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Adrian Casey

Adrian Casey

Chief Operating Officer

  • Adrian has responsibilities for overall Group procurement and works closely with each of the business division leaders on strategic and key commercial matters.
  • Adrian has worked in the steel sector in Australia and New Zealand for over 40 years. He held management positions in a major New Zealand steel distribution operation before establishing his own downstream steel business which was successfully merged with Vulcan in 1998. During his tenure with Vulcan, Adrian has had, at various times, fiscal responsibility in relation to each business division in both New Zealand and Australia.
  • Adrian holds a New Zealand Certificate in Quantity Surveying from the Christchurch Polytechnic, and completed the Advanced Management Program from the Wharton Business School of the University of Pennsylvania.

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Tennealle O'Shannessy

James Wells

Chief Information Officer

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Tennealle O'Shannessy

James Wells

Chief Information Officer

  • James is responsible for innovation, health and safety, brand and marketing and capital expenditure at Vulcan.
  • Prior to joining Vulcan in 2004, James consulted to Vulcan, whilst competing in professional sport. James took on responsibilities for reviewing and implementing Vulcan’s IT systems.
  • James documented, designed and managed the development of Vulcan’s fit-for-purpose IT software, and has led Vulcan’s NZ Health & Safety and Group Capital program since 2012.
  • James has completed courses in innovative technologies, business process modelling and object-oriented analysis.

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Helene

Helene Deschamps

Leadership Development

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Helene

Helene Deschamps

Leadership Development

  • An ICF-accredited leadership coach, Helene is Vulcan’s executive team partner resource for leadership development.
  • Helene is also a Managing Director (Executive & Leadership Coach) at ChangingNow.
  • Helene has held senior positions as a Strategy, Sales & Marketing and People Development & Culture specialist with global and NZ organisations including Capgemini and Carter Holt Harvey, with a focus on shaping behaviour and culture to achieve the desired performance outcome.
  • Helene holds a BA in Political Sciences (France), a Masters of Business Administration (South Africa), and an Evidence Based Coaching Master Certificate (USA).

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Lou Cadman

Lou Cadman

New Zealand Leader

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Lou Cadman

Lou Cadman

New Zealand Leader

  • Lou joined Vulcan in March 2024 and leads Vulcan’s businesses in New Zealand.
  • Lou has extensive experience in the manufacturing and distribution industries focused primarily on the New Zealand building and construction sector.  His experience includes over eight years as Chief Executive of New Zealand Panels Group and General Management roles at Fletcher Building leading the Fletcher Aluminium and Forman Group businesses.
  • Lou holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Auckland, a Bachelor of Forestry Science (Hons) from the University of Canterbury and is a Chartered Accountant with Charted Accountants Australia and New Zealand. 
     

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Matthew Lee

Matthew Lee

Australia Leader

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Matthew Lee

Matthew Lee

Australia Leader

  • Matthew leads Vulcan’s procurement and property activity in Australia
  • Matthew has over 20 years’ experience within highly competitive distribution markets.
  • Prior to Vulcan, Matthew held procurement and manufacturing managerial roles in the packaging industry.
  • Such positions include Group Procurement and Logistics Manager at Pro-Pac Packaging Group, General Manager – Procurement and Manufacturing (Australia, New Zealand, and China) at San Miguel Yamamura Australasia and International Purchasing Manager at Cospak.
  • Matthew holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of New South Wales, a Graduate Diploma in Applied Science from The University of Tasmania, a Master of Management from the University of Wollongong and a Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety

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Matthew Lee

Bradley Childs

Australia Leader

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Matthew Lee

Bradley Childs

Australia Leader

  • Bradley leads Vulcan’s Australian distribution business.
  • Prior to Vulcan, Bradley has held a number of senior management roles in both Australia and Europe, with PACT Group, VISY and Newell Rubbermaid. These roles have encompassed R&D, technical, sales, P&L and general management.
  • Bradley holds a PhD (Chemistry) and BSc (Hons, Chemistry) from the University of New South Wales, together with a Masters of Organisational Leadership from Monash University.

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Richard Love

Richard Love

Australian Leader

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Richard Love

Richard Love

Australian Leader

  • Richard leads Vulcan Steel’s Engineering Steel business in Australia. 
  • With over 20 years of experience in the metals industry across the country from manufacturing to warehousing and distribution, Richard’s industrial distribution background has specialised in supply to the mining and manufacturing industries. Richard has held operational, procurement and sales-based positions as well as site and unit leadership. 
  • Richard has completed courses in People & Performance Leadership, as well as Strategic Sales Performance

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