"Hamish's leadership journey began in the Royal New Zealand Navy where he learned to lead by example. Currently general manager Pacific Coilcoaters – a $110 million business within Fletcher Building's Steel Group, he describes himself as a coach for his people and stresses the importance of diversity as a means of avoiding like-minded thinking.

McBeath's boss, Paul Zuckerman, chief executive of Fletcher Building, describes him as a "young, innovative high achiever who holds a senior leadership position within New Zealand's largest listed company". McBeath's vision is to keep manufacturing alive and well in New Zealand: "Too many of our manufacturers fall over unnecessarily," he says."