Restoring heritage for city's future

Andre Lovatt.

We celebrate the winners of this year’s Sir Peter Blake Leadership Awards, by profiling a Blake leader each Monday. Today we look at the Christchurch man behind the restoration of the Arts Centre.

Restoring all but one of the 23 Arts Centre of Christchurch heritage buildings damaged in the 2011 earthquakes is a multimillion-dollar project requiring years of time and investment.

What drives chief executive Andre Lovatt is the knowledge he's "restoring memories and creating futures".

"I love that we are restoring this place for the future - that it will exist in 150 years and beyond."

Mr Lovatt, who has held the job since 2012, loved the challenge of restoring the country's largest collection of heritage buildings.

"It's not just about rebuilding the bricks and mortar, but about restoring a foundation for arts, culture, heritage and education for the people of Christchurch," he said. "We are carrying the expectations of the whole community."

The restoration project, estimated to cost $290 million, was due to be completed in 2019.

Mr Lovatt, who has been awarded one of this year's Sir Peter Blake Leadership Awards, was quick to give credit to all involved in the project.

"I am humbled by the award, but what I do, I can't do without the team. I don't do anything by myself," he said.

"This award is more a reflection of them."

Despite his modesty, Mr Lovatt's CV exposed an extensive list of achievements.

Before returning to his hometown, Mr Lovatt had been living with his wife, Kate, and two daughters Noor, 10, and Kiri, 7, in Singapore.

His 10 years there saw him lead operations for international design giants, holding pivotal roles in the building of a number of large projects including the Marina Bay Sands waterfront resort and the Singapore Sports Hub.

Since moving back to Christchurch with his family, Mr Lovatt has led the fundraising campaigns for the Arts Centre and Rutherford's Den.

He was also appointed director of the Christchurch International Airport and was a member of the board of trustees at his children's school.

Outside of work, Mr Lovatt also helped out with a number of other rebuild projects and community groups around the city.

Mr Lovatt said it was great to be back in his hometown and involved in its rebuild.

"It's a huge thing to rebuild, but it's happening."

Andre Lovatt

• Member of Heritage New Zealand
• Chief executive of the Arts Centre of Christchurch
• Director of Christchurch International Airport
• Has a Master of Engineering from the University of Canterbury
• Has an MBA degree from the National University of Singapore
• Has a wife and two children.