Why Not Give It a Go?

When I asked Alan what inspired him to start PDP, he leaned back, grinned, and launched into a tale that took us from the late 70s in Indonesia to a dining table in New Zealand. “It was the late 70s and early 80s,” he began, “and back then, the world hadn’t really woken up to the fact that resources were finite. Working on water projects in Indonesia, I saw how contamination and pollution were becoming huge issues. That got me thinking: water quality was going to be critical.”

After 10 years overseas, including a stint in Pakistan, Alan returned to New Zealand. He joined a small consultancy in Auckland, where he learned the ropes of running a business. “There were four of us,” he said. “We did everything ourselves – project delivery, finances, the lot. It was a crash course in consulting.”

However, Alan and his colleague Keith felt something was missing. The company was Australian-owned, and they wanted a business that reflected their Kiwi roots. When the owners weren’t interested in localising, the pair decided to start their own business. “Keith and I thought, ‘Why not give it a go?’ It wasn’t entirely spur of the moment,” Alan said with a chuckle, “but it was close enough!”

The Cheeky Invoice That Started It All

The early days of PDP were full of optimism – and financial stress. “We’d meet around Keith’s dining table, developing our grand strategy,” Alan laughed. “Then we’d go out and tell people we were open for business. The problem? No one had any work for us.”

Six months in, with no projects on the books, Alan and Keith were feeling the heat. “I’d just bought a house, and my second child had been born. It was a bit dire,” Alan admitted. Then came their breakthrough – or, as Alan called it, “our cheeky invoice.”

After an informal site visit to a geothermal project in Taupō, they decided to bill the client. “We thought, why not? Worst case, they’d ignore it,” Alan said. “But the guy rang up and said, ‘I didn’t think we were engaging you for anything, but okay, what you’ve given us is really useful, I’ll pay it.’ That invoice turned into our first project – and more work followed.”

Still at the Helm

Nearly four decades later, Alan is as involved as ever in PDP’s operations, though the leadership structure has evolved. Seven years ago, Alan and Keith faced a pivotal moment when Keith decided to leave the business. “Keith always saw his role as bookended,” Alan explained. “He wanted to build the business and then step away. But when he left, I felt a bit vulnerable.”

Alan candidly shared how he struggled with whether he had the skills to lead PDP into its next phase. “I realised I was running out of steam,” he admitted. “So, we brought in Geoff Milsom as our first CEO. Letting go wasn’t easy, but Geoff has been fantastic. We’ve got a great relationship – we bounce ideas off each other all the time. He’s taken PDP to new heights, and I get to focus on the parts I enjoy.”

Alan’s continued involvement ensures that PDP stays true to its purpose. “It’s easy to get too big or diversify too much and lose your way,” he said. “But we’ve always been clear about what we do: high-quality environmental consulting. Thoughtful growth, retaining our essence – has always been the priority.”

Lessons from a Winding Path

When I asked about challenges PDP has faced, Alan likened the journey to navigating a winding road. “You can’t expect a straight path,” he said. “The key is recognising when you’re on the wrong track and having the courage to change course. Mistakes happen -just don’t make too many of them, or you’ll end up in a ditch!”

Among his favourite projects, Alan mentioned a case where PDP successfully defended a client accused of contamination. “It was us against a team of high-profile Australian experts,” he said. “It was David versus Goliath, but we won.”

He also spoke with pride about PDP’s decade-long involvement in Auckland’s City Rail Link. “It’s one of New Zealand’s most transformative infrastructure projects, and knowing we played a key role is incredibly satisfying.”

Seriously Having Fun

When I asked Alan what he’d title a book about his life, he didn’t miss a beat: Seriously Having Fun. “It might sound like a self-help book,” I joked, and we both laughed, agreeing it perfectly summed up his philosophy.

Alan’s humour shone in lighter moments of our chat. “I’m the worst singer you’ll ever meet,” he confessed. “In Year 1, the teacher auditioned us for a Christmas concert. She took one listen to me and said, ‘Not you.’ She wasn’t wrong!”

These days, Alan’s hobbies include trying to master wing foiling. “It looks easy until you’re face-first in the water every five seconds,” he said with a grin. “But I’ll get there.”

Advice for the Next Generation

As our conversation wound down, I asked Alan what advice he’d give to young environmental professionals. “Stay curious,” he said. “Spend your energy on understanding the world and your role in it. That curiosity should be perpetual -something that comes from within. You can’t overlay it on your personality, it has to be genuine.”

When I asked about his personal philosophy, Alan offered a simple thought: “You’ve just got to look in the mirror and answer to yourself. Be honest, reflect, and do your best.”

A Legacy of Impact, Not Ego

Despite his many accomplishments, Alan is refreshingly humble about his legacy. “I don’t do legacies,” he said. “If PDP continues to thrive and make a difference, that’s enough for me. It’s not about me – it’s about the company.”

As our interview wrapped up, Alan reflected on our chat with a smile. “You know,” he said, “I’ve even discovered a few things about myself!” That’s Alan Pattle for you: candid, curious, and always ready for a laugh.