After 27 years in the architectural field specialising in designing residential buildings, Winstone Wallboards' new Technical Training Advisor Richard Fuller says the opportunity to join the organisation came at precisely the right time.  

Richard with daughter Evie who together have won bowls pairs titles in 2022 and 2023.

“After working as a one-man band for many years, it was getting harder and harder to do it all by myself and I had reached the point where I was ready for a change.     

“I wondered whether I should completely change career and do something totally different or take those years of experience and put them to good use. That’s when this role at Winstone Wallboards came up and I just jumped at it,” he says.  

Richard joined the Technical Training team in July and works within a team of six who offer product and technical advice to customers via the 0800 Technical Helpline, covering everything from homeowners needing help to repair a hole in the wall, to large scale building projects seeking specialist advice.  

“It’s a hugely varied role and no two days are ever the same. In between answering calls and emails, the team might be visiting building sites that need support or providing training to university students, trade groups or councils,” he says.  

Richard says while he is still learning the ropes, he has been really impressed by the team who draw from knowledge that covers all parts of the building sector.  

“Between all of us, we have decades of experience across so many areas. Having a background in architecture is helpful for being able to read plans, as well as understanding what designers need for council consenting requirements. I have a lot of first-hand experience about just how hard that part of the process can be.  

“We hear a lot about the need to make consenting more straightforward, but in reality, year after year more requirements are added which adds more complexity, not less, and that’s why specialist advice and product support is so important.   

“I don’t think there is any building product company out there that provides this level of advice and support. I’ve also been blown away by the standards of testing around the plasterboard products and Winstone Wallboards’ desire to continually innovate,” he says.  

After many years of working from home, Richard, a father of three who lives with his wife Lisa in the Auckland suburb of Kingsland, says that having to commute to work was a big change, but the benefits of working in a team and having that camaraderie is something he’s really enjoying, much like he gets from his other passion, bowls.  

“I’m a keen bowler and joined my local club, Rocky Nook Bowls, four years ago. It’s become a sport which is seeing more and more young people take it up and it’s great to be part of.”    

“It’s an easy sport to pick up and doesn’t cost a lot to join, I think that’s why it’s seeing a bit of a renaissance.”  

“I’ve been lucky enough to win a few cups, even taking home some pairs titles with one of my daughters over the past two years, so you can see that the next generation are leading the way,” he says.