
Our Team

Ash Clinch
General Manager

Brandon Koolen
National Sprinkler Manager

Kris Chetty
Taranaki Branch Manager

Jesse Whalan
Dunedin Branch Manager

Graham Wyatt
Design Manager
Ash Clinch
General Manager
As General Manager, Ash is responsible for overseeing all regional operations, ensuring the highest standards of health and safety, operational efficiency, and quality assurance. He leads and supports regional teams, driving excellence in project execution and service delivery. His role encompasses strategic oversight, operational leadership, and continuous improvement initiatives to provide innovative, reliable, and client-focused solutions.
Ash holds several industry-recognized qualifications, including a Bachelor of Applied Management, New Zealand Diploma in Business, and New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Level 4). He is also a registered Producer Statement Author, reinforcing his technical proficiency and regulatory compliance expertise.
Ash also currently overseas our Queenstown, Wanaka and Cromwell Operations.
Brandon Koolen
National Sprinkler Manager
As the National Sprinkler Manager, Brandon is responsible for overseeing our sprinkler contract teams across Aotea Fire’s various branches and regions. His role includes ensuring system compliance, quality assurance, and adherence to project timelines, as well as supporting regional managers to achieve successful project outcomes. He plays a key role in managing contracts, ensuring key deliverables are met, and providing strategic guidance to maintain the highest standards in service delivery.
With over 40 years of industry experience spanning multiple roles, including Sprinkler Designer, Sprinkler Design Engineer, Project Manager, and Contract Manager. Brandon now serves as National Sprinkler manager, providing valuable knowledge and leadership to our regional teams.
Kris Chetty
Taranaki Branch Manager
As the Taranaki Branch Manager, Kris holds overall responsibility for coordinating staff, overseeing health and safety protocols, ensuring quality assurance and managing client relationships. His role further extends to assisting with the design of fire alarm systems, ensuring building compliance, and coordinating building consent documentation. Kris is a highly qualified professional in the Fire Protection and building compliance industry, bringing over 14 years of invaluable experience to his role as Branch Manager.
He holds several qualifications including New Zealand Certificate in Fire Detection and Alarm Systems (Level 4), a New Zealand Certificate in Fire Protection System Technology (Level 3), and a New Zealand Certificate in Compliance Inspections (Passive) at Level 4.
Kris currently also oversees staff based in our Manawatu Branch.
Jesse Whalan
Dunedin Branch Manager
As the Dunedin Branch Manager, Jesse holds responsibility for coordinating staff, overseeing health and safety protocols, ensuring quality assurance and managing client relationships. His role includes ensuring system compliance, quality assurance, and adherence to project timelines, as well as supporting the contract teams to achieve successful project outcomes. He plays a key role in business development for the area, managing contracts, and ensuring key deliverables are met.
Jesse has over 5 years of Project Management experience in construction and service delivery.
Graham Wyatt
Design Manager
As the National Design Manager, Graham is responsible for overseeing our design team supporting Aotea Fire’s various branches and regions. His role includes ensuring system compliance, quality assurance, and adherence to project timelines, as well as supporting regional managers to achieve successful project outcomes. He plays a key role in managing sprinkler system designs, ensuring key deliverables are met, and providing strategic guidance to maintain the highest standards in project delivery.
With over 40 years of industry experience spanning multiple roles, Graham’s knowledge of fire protection standards and building code requirements ensures Aotea Fire’s project teams are well supported.