Introduction

As one of the leaders of Kennards Hire’s Specialist Operations, Brian Hardy bridges the gap between complex engineering and job-site reality. By overseeing national capabilities in critical sectors like power, rail, and water management, Brian ensures that high-stakes technical solutions are accessible to every customer. He spearheads the journey of specialised equipment—from rigorous trials to national rollout—guiding a team dedicated to turning technical challenges into seamless results. For Brian, the mission is simple: “Our common goal is making sure we can deliver what we promise for technical project work.”

Career Journey

Brian started at Kennards Hire in Newcastle almost four decades ago as in the service team where he delivered equipment, manned the wash bay and turned around gear. He worked his way up to run the branch before stepping up to Area Manager. His NSW patch stretched from Gosford to Byron and across to Tamworth, covering more than a dozen branches. His frontline use and care of equipment, and a drive to do things better each day, shaped a leadership style that is a perfect fit for guiding the specialist operations teams. He now leads eleven Operational Product Specialist teams across Australia and New Zealand.

Standout Projects

Two early projects gave Brian the know how to develop custom solutions for customer projects.  The Hunter Expressway infrastructure construction local to his Newcastle branch demanded significant capital investment in equipment, extensive planning and customer communications, and strict NSW Transport compliance across twenty kilometres of freeway works. As Branch Manager, Brian committed to the project and successfully serviced successfully serviced a tier 1 customer for over 4 years.

Later, for the World Rally Championship in Coffs Harbour, his team coordinated generators, lighting and fencing across six stages inside a 30-kilometre diameter event footprint, solving remote power and logistics challenges with Kennards Hire technicians brought in from around Australia. “It was a complex job on a strict schedule. We flew in people, staged gear and made it seamless for the organisers,” he recalls.

Areas of Expertise

Brian is particularly passionate about pumps and water management, where calculation, chemistry and method determine success. “Pumps are one of the most technical parts of our range. Get the maths right, match the equipment components and the results can be significant,” he says. His area of expertise extends to specialist equipment in rail, power, access, earthmoving and lifting as well as site services such as temporary buildings and traffic management.

Innovation and Product Leadership

A big part of Brian’s role is scanning for what is next. He visits overseas hire businesses and manufacturers and works with his team to integrate new equipment into the Kennards Hire range. One memorable assignment saw him work with a supplier on hydrogen power generation for the Sydney Biennale festival run over 3 months, turning a customer idea into a safe and workable installation. “The satisfaction is taking a concept and shaping it into something crews can run confidently day and night,” he says.

Leadership and Culture

Brian values the Kennards Hire culture of ownership and trust. He empowers branch managers and specialists to solve problems locally, backed by national networks that share expertise quickly. “We still have with the best parts of a small business mindset. Managers have autonomy, access to the most advanced and proven equipment and strong networks to solve the customer’s project challenges,” he says.  

The Person Behind the Pro

Brian relaxes with some fishing, time with his grandchildren and working on the farm, and he has a long family connection to Kennards Hire with his wife also part of the team. 
Life as a leader in equipment hire is a long way from his workplace start as a French chef, cooking classics like frogs’ legs and escargots. His advice to people starting out now reflects his mentoring approach. “Do not be afraid to share ideas. Some of the best solutions come from a fresh perspective.” And the quote he follows, “No one has ever died from hearing the truth,” makes sure that customers get the best outcomes.