Shaping success above and below ground – Ali Khan

Shaping success above and below ground

Ali Khan, Chief Counsel at Seequent

Tell us about Seequent

Seequent is a great New Zealand success story. It began in Christchurch in the mid-1990s with ARANZ (Applied Research Associates NZ), a company first known for its work in medical imaging. One offshoot, ARANZ Geo, turned that technology toward geology, helping geologists understand what lies beneath the ground. That work led to Leapfrog – now the global standard for geological modelling.

In 2017, ARANZ Geo became Seequent. Today, while our software supports mining, energy, and environmental projects worldwide, our headquarters and R&D roots remain firmly in New Zealand. At heart, we’re still focused on helping people make sense of the underground.

What does a day in the life of Ali Khan look like?

I’m fortunate to have a great team. Seequent was acquired by Bentley Systems in 2021 – a U.S.-based global engineering software company listed on NASDAQ. Bentley historically focused on the above ground, while Seequent specialises below ground. Together, we give a complete picture.

I lead a team of six, mostly based here in Christchurch, with one member in the UK. My role spans everything from revenue contracts and product development, to marketing, HR, operations, and compliance – especially around privacy and the fast-evolving use of AI in software. No two days look the same; my schedule depends on which team needs legal support. It’s varied, challenging, and rewarding.

How do you embrace flexibility and inclusion as a leader?

Flexibility is critical. I have an eight-year-old son, and I’ll never forget those early COVID days with a three-year-old at home, trying to balance work and parenting. Being able to work when I could find the time made all the difference, and I carry that into how I lead. There’s no strict “eight to five” in my book – it’s about balance, trust, and creating space for people to thrive. When people are happy and supported, they’re more engaged at work.

What do you value about working with SHIFT?

We have a SHIFT lawyer on our team, and we couldn’t be happier. She was already in place when I started and is one of our longest-serving team members. I hadn’t heard of SHIFT before, so I looked up the model – and I thought, how cool! It gives companies flexible access to experienced people when they need extra help. My experience with Prue, Arna, and the wider SHIFT team has been fantastic – easy-going, supportive, and professional. If our SHIFT lawyer is anything to go by, you hire some incredible people.

What brought you to New Zealand?

I’m Canadian, and I didn’t start out in law. I began in commercial real estate, moved into finance, and quickly realised it wasn’t for me. Every aptitude test kept pointing me towards law, so I went back to law school after completing my undergrad. I later worked at a law firm in Vancouver, which I really enjoyed.

During my last year, I did an exchange at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch – and that’s where I met my partner. After some time in Vancouver, we returned to Christchurch, and now New Zealand is home. That said, I always remind my team: nothing is permanent. The world is full of opportunities, and life is more important than work. But when you enjoy what you do, it’s the icing on the cake.