Calm Under Pressure: Gareth Morris and the art of patience and consistency

This time, we are sharing a Registry People profile a little differently. Instead of the usual interview format, we wanted to tell the story of someone who rarely takes credit for the incredible things he has achieved. Gareth is someone who would never boast about his accomplishments, but behind the scenes he has led complex global registry projects, competed at the highest level in international sport, and inspired his team with a quiet kind of leadership. 

From his early days in Cambridge, to France, and to his registry work in places like Montana and Botswana, Gareth has carried with him an extraordinary mix of curiosity, discipline, and care for the people around him. Whether it’s delivering a game-changing registry under tight deadlines or running 100 miles through the New Zealand bush, Gareth shows up, fully, consistently, and with humility. 

This is a story about composure under pressure, global impact, and the kind of leadership that builds trust and delivers lasting change. 

Gareth Morris, Deputy General Manager of Professional Services at Foster Moore.

Gareth Morris is humble, thoughtful, and quietly influential. Through his work at Foster Moore, and earlier in his career in the UK, Gareth has made a mark on every project, every business, and every industry he has been a part of. And the best part is, he would never tell you that himself. 

Gareth grew up in Cambridge from the age of 9, although he was born in Wales, and comes from a family of healthcare professionals. His father was a doctor and his mother a midwife, but Gareth’s path was always going to be different. Although destined to study medicine, he studied Chemistry and French, spending part of his time in Clermont-Ferrand, France, where he polished his French and got a feel for the world beyond the UK. That early experience of international connection and cultural adaptation laid the groundwork for what would become a global career. 

After graduating, Gareth joined Accenture as a consultant in supermarket retail systems. It might not have been his dream job at the time, but it suited him well. It was complex, fast-moving, and required deep analytical thinking. He excelled. After five years, he returned to Cambridge, this time for an MBA. The move helped him reset, grow professionally, and surround himself with other ambitious people. He then joined AT Kearney, where he worked on healthcare commissioning and transformation, developing a keen sense for how to make big systems better for the people who use them. 

When he arrived in New Zealand over a decade ago, Gareth joined Foster Moore, and has since grown into one of the most respected leaders in the company. Started as a Project Manager and quickly grew into Director of Project Management. His commitment, dedication and meticulousness led him to the role of Strategic Projects Director, and now Deputy General Manager of Professional Services, Gareth has helped deliver some of the most critical and transformative registry implementations across the globe. 

One of his proudest moments was the Financial Service Providers Register in New Zealand, a project that had to be delivered on a tight timeline and then under COVID-related pressure. While the go-live was delayed because of the impact of COVID, the work done by Gareth and his team was exceptional. He speaks often about the people behind those wins. Names like Cora Victorino and Francine Kruger come up as people whose work often goes unnoticed and have incredible impact on every project they are part of. Gareth is the kind of leader who sees it as his responsibility to amplify the work of those around him, especially the ones who do not seek recognition. 

Earlier this year, Gareth travelled to Botswana for the go-live of the Beneficial Ownership Register for CIPA. He was struck by the country’s beauty and the sharp contrast between the rural heartland and the highly modern city of Gaborone. He was moved by the commitment of the CIPA team and their genuine passion for creating lasting change for their country. It reminded him of the core purpose behind every register Foster Moore helps bring to life. 

One place Gareth visited with work and he holds dear is Montana. He travelled there for project work and recalls the natural beauty of Helena and its surroundings, the untouched trails, the sense of wilderness, and the joy of finding a peaceful run among the forests, despite the “Beware of mountain lions” signs. He quietly laughs when asked about the food there, noting the high quality, generous portions, and reasonable prices.  Despite his lean frame, Gareth has the hearty appetite, the kind that endurance runners seem to have, and he certainly made the most of the generous portions. 

Before running, Gareth’s sport of choice was rifle shooting, and not just recreationally. He competed in four Commonwealth Games representing Wales, and even won a silver medal in the Queen’s Prize Pairs at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games with teammate Chris Watson. He also competed in the World Long Range Rifle Championships. What most people don’t understand about shooting at this level is how much of it is not about pulling the trigger. It is about composure, patience, and consistency. You spend long hours waiting for your two minutes of performance. And when that moment comes, you must be ready. That training, that discipline, has shaped how Gareth approaches everything in life, from leading projects to preparing for ultra-marathons. Success, for him, is about the steady work done over time, not a sudden burst of talent. 

Gareth Morris (left) and Chris Watson (right) pose with their medals during the 2018 Commonwealth Games - Photo by Walesonline.co.uk

Running took over later in life, initially just to get fit. He was not naturally good at it. He struggled, like most people do, but he stuck with it. What began as short runs turned into ultra distances. He recently completed the Tarawera 100-miler in under 24 hours, and finished 1st in his age group and 20th overall in the Whangamatā Half Marathon. He also ran an elevation equivalent to Mount Everest in a single event in the UK, something most legs can’t endure. In his own words, his success in running comes not from speed, but from his ability to endure, to stay focused, and to keep showing up. 

Gareth finds fulfilment in helping registry teams from around the world collaborate better, work more efficiently, and deliver lasting results. He lights up when he talks about how the solutions Foster Moore builds actually work, how they help people, and how they bring clarity and trust to government processes. He also reflects on how lucky he feels to work at Foster Moore, surrounded by people who genuinely care about the work they do. He will not dare say it, but the truth is, we are lucky and proud to have him too. 

As our conversation wraps up in a sunny corner of a local Auckland café, one thing becomes very clear: Gareth is not just a project leader or a medal-winning athlete. He is a proud father, a builder of trust, a champion of his people, and someone who believes deeply in the work we do at Foster Moore. 

His career spans continents and achievements most of us can only imagine, but Gareth’s real strength lies in how he lifts others up, how he stays grounded, and how he keeps showing up. Whether it is spending time with his kids, at the start line of a trail race or at the go-live of a critical national register, Gareth’s impact is quiet but unmistakable. And Foster Moore is better because of it. Thanks Gareth! 

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Gareth Morris is Deputy General Manager of Professional Services at Foster Moore. Since joining in 2015, he has led key registry projects across multiple countries, drawing on over two decades of experience in technology and management consulting across the UK, US, Europe, and New Zealand.