Muru Mohan, who joins Resolve Group as a Senior Consultant, brings with him an unusually wide range of experience in strategic planning and asset and facilities management. A graduate of the University of Science, Malaysia and the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand, Muru worked in Malaysia and India from 1995 to 2009 before moving to New Zealand. Though many of his roles over this time were in the private sector, all his work has been conducted through or for government initiatives.

Muru began his career in Malaysia, working for a private entity responsible for the planning and managing of Malaysia’s wastewater infrastructure, following the privatisation agenda of the Malaysia Government. He then switched to facilities management and was involved in a Ministry of Health initiative to outsource non-core services (i.e. non-patient care services) as a member of the organisation that had 15-year concessions to deliver Integrated Healthcare Facilities Management services for 72 hospitals.

His passion for strategic planning then took him to India where he spent three years as General Manager of a joint venture business. Here he was responsible for day-to-day management, business expansion and development, and the implementation of robust operational processes including asset management. “The biggest learning curve for me, was understanding the local work culture as it was totally different to the Malaysian one. I had to develop strategies that would ease the transition of their mind-set to accept a more progressive working culture. It was a culture shock for me, too.”

In mid-2009, he moved to New Zealand, just as the world market was beginning to slow down. As the job market filled up with returning Kiwis, and prospective employers all wanted New Zealand experience, Muru had a tough time landing a job. Eventually, he was offered employment as a Water Network Engineer Officer for Dunedin City Council. Subsequently, he became Wastewater Network Planner for Watercare Services Ltd, Auckland and then Asset Assurance Manager for the Department of Corrections in Wellington.

At Resolve Group, his hope is to synergise with the existing strategic planning and asset management skills within the company and enhance Resolve Group’s Asset Management ability in the water and property portfolio management space.

Outside his professional realm, Muru likes to chill out with family and friends. He is active in futsal and currently plays in the Auckland futsal league. He is also a movie enthusiast and listens to South Indian songs.

If you would like to contact to Muru directly, email him at muru.mohan@resolvegoup.co.nz