When Colm Hamrogue was only 18 years old, his life changed dramatically due to a terrible accident perpetrated by a drunk driver which resulted in a spinal injury. His aspiration at the time had been to pursue a career in nautical science and to serve in the merchant navy. The aftermath of the accident and his gruelling recovery journey, however, ended his dream of commanding large cargo vessels forever. Additionally, his passion for being an integral part of the RNLI crew in Bundoran was forced to an abrupt halt.
The reckless hit and run accident transformed Hamrogue’s life in a split second and he unsurprisingly sunk into a state of desolation and lack of inspiration. An encouraging conversation with his mother, whom he regards as “a profoundly wise woman” helped him to understand that he had two paths before him: allowing the unfortunate incident to control his future or brush himself off and start anew. Hamrogue elected the latter, transitioning from a field to an office-based role within the RNLI and deciding to plan his academic future by exploring strategic management at university. He also became politically active on campus, ultimately becoming the leader of the Union of Students in Ireland.
In 2012, Hamrogue and his newlywed wife made a significant decision and relocated to New Zealand to enable Hamrogue’s career progression. He had been uniquely selected to join the CRT agricultural co-operative as the chief operating officer.
“I concluded that one must embrace life while it is still present. My experiences shaped me into the person I am today, seizing every opportunity and making me more flexible and responsive to change,” explains Hamrogue, who embarked on his professional journey in public affairs and commercial roles with Rally Ireland after his college experience, before transitioning into a marketing and communications role with Gulf Oil.
In 2012, Hamrogue and his wife took a monumental leap of faith and relocated to New Zealand, where he had been specially selected to join the CRT agricultural co-op as chief operating officer.
“I attended a meeting in Holland where I had the pleasure of meeting the CEO of CRT and we quickly formed a strong professional rapport,” recalls Hamrogue. “He offered me the opportunity to come and discover New Zealand and the benefits the company could offer. Without hesitation, we packed our belongings and embarked on this exciting new journey.”
The native of north county Leitrim, Hamrogue, mentions the fondness he has for his upbringing in Ireland’s rural lands. His years with the farming cooperative only proved to enrich this appreciation. The deep friendships he formed with the farmers he encountered were cherished, particularly as they were away from their familial support and local connections. It underlined the significance of making genuine friendships. He speaks tenderly of the moments when he was invited over for meals or offered a place to stay by people who were not family.
Moving to New Zealand was a worthwhile challenge, where he learned about the farming business there. He believes you can only identify opportunities for innovation once you have a firm grasp of how things operate. He reflects that people will respect you for your honesty to admit not knowing everything, but trying to fake knowledge will only tarnish your credibility quickly.
Hamrogue played an instrumental role at CRT, guiding it in its merger with the Farmlands Co-Operative Society to create New Zealand’s largest co-op. The new operation, which has 1,400 employees and an approximate turnover of €1.4 billion, required Hamrogue to reapply for his job following its initial abolishment. He was later promoted to the chief operating officer, a position he held until he decided to transition into the transport sector six years later.
Hamrogue has high praise for the co-op model, citing how its success benefits both the enterprise and the farmer. A former superior of his mentioned that the monetary worth of a business, whether it’s €20 million or €200 billion, is irrelevant, it’s the human interactions, the willingness to learn, and vulnerability that truly matter. If you pretend to know everything and are caught bluffing, you’ll lose respect quickly.
Towards the close of 2018, Hamrogue joined the Richardson transport group, a family business, taking the role of group general manager for transport. By 2022, he had ascended to his present role as the chief executive of TDX, a construction equipment company stationed in Christchurch. TDX is a large-scale employer with its 350 staff operating in its 21 branches scattered across Australia and New Zealand. TDX serves as the distributor for a variety of brands, such as Volvo heavy plant, Shell lubricants, and Kohler.
Hamrogue spends a sizable portion of his life on the move, with his job entailing a considerable amount of international travel. Relocating to New Zealand, in order to assume the position of chief operating officer for a prominent agri-co-operative, presented an opportunity Hamrogue wouldn’t have had at such an early age in his home country. Grateful for this opportunity, he saw it as a test of his adaptability in a new culture, country and industry.
He describes New Zealand as bearing a resemblance to Ireland, with its amiable inhabitants and strong community spirit. He enjoys the varying climate, with beach and water sports on offer in the summertime, and skiing opportunities in the winter. To Hamrogue, New Zealand represents a land of opportunities, where hard work and a positive attitude can open doors.