Leadership

Scott’s appointment to the role of Aveng CEO in March 2024 marks a significant milestone in his distinguished career journey. Before assuming this pivotal position, he served as the CEO of McConnell Dowell for eight years, leading the charge in implementing transformative strategic and operational changes that reshaped, revitalised, and expanded Aveng’s largest subsidiary.

With over 35 years of experience, Scott brings a wealth of expertise spanning various sectors including marine, oil and gas production, construction engineering, fabrication, business development and regional operations. His global professional journey has taken him to key locations such as Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, Dubai and London, providing him with invaluable international insights and perspectives.

Throughout his career, Scott has held numerous influential positions, including Senior Vice President of Commercial, Executive Vice President Offshore as well as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Asia Pacific at McDermott International. His strategic contributions have played a pivotal role in driving growth, fostering innovation, and establishing him as a visionary leader in the industry.

Qualifications

BEng, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; MBA, Strathclyde University, Glasgow, UK

Adrian has served as the Executive Financial Director and CFO of Aveng Group since September 2014, playing a pivotal role in driving the Group’s transformation into a smaller, more focused and sustainable international contracting company.

With over two decades of experience in assurance, transactions and advisory services, Adrian has left an indelible mark on the financial landscapes of organisations. His career began with stints at esteemed EY, where he honed his skills before embarking on a transformative two-year journey with PwC in New Zealand. Returning to EY in 2001, Adrian’s career trajectory continued to ascend as he navigated through various roles, accumulating invaluable experience and insights along the way.

Adrian’s deep understanding of intricate financial landscapes, combined with his adeptness in overcoming challenges, has established him as a trusted steward of Aveng’s financial well-being. His strategic acumen and leadership have been instrumental in guiding the company towards sustainable growth and success.

Qualifications

BCom, University of the Witwatersrand; BCompt (Hons), University of South Africa; CA(SA)

John brings over 25 years of extensive management experience to his role as Aveng’s senior commercial executive. His diverse background encompasses both the public sector and large private sector organisations, including reputable ASX listed companies.

With a sharp focus on providing strategic advice, John excels in offering independent insights to Boards, CEOs, leadership teams and business units across a wide spectrum of commercial as well as corporate matters. His expertise spans corporate governance, risk management, deal structuring, dispute resolution and business planning, where he consistently delivers practical solutions tailored to address each unique challenge.

Throughout his career, John has played a pivotal role in leading corporate restructures and business transformation initiatives. He has adeptly facilitated the integration of teams and corporate functions, demonstrating agility and professionalism in adapting to evolving reporting structures and accountability models.

A natural collaborator, John is a trusted advisor. His exceptional commercial and contractual knowledge is complemented by proven negotiation, influencing, financial analysis, and budget management skills, making him an invaluable asset to Aveng and its stakeholders.

Qualifications

BCom, University of New South Wales, LLB, University of New South Wales

With over two decades of expertise in human resources and corporate strategy, Steve’s career represents a rich and diverse journey spanning Australia, South East Asia, and Latin America.

In April 2016, Steve joined the McConnell Dowell group as Executive General Manager for Human Resources, where he steered the human resources function across the organisation’s 3000 personnel spread across 15 countries of operation. In 2020, he assumed an additional role as Group Strategy, spearheading the development of McConnell Dowell’s Horizon 2030 Strategic Plan.

Before his tenure at McConnell Dowell, Steve garnered valuable experience during his 10-year stint with Orica. He has also ventured into academia, serving as an economist and lecturing in human resource management and labour market economics at the esteemed University of Western Australia. Steve’s leadership transcends corporate confines. As Chair of the Australian Construction Industry Leadership Forum’s Capability and Capacity Working Group, he championed efforts to cultivate a coordinated approach towards addressing skill gaps in the industry.

Qualifications

BEc (Hons) University of Western Australia

James is widely recognised as a trailblazer in the engineering and construction realm, boasting a distinguished career spanning 30+ years across Australia, the US and the UK. His extensive experience encompasses a breadth of sectors including transport infrastructure, tunnelling, mining, oil and gas.

With a multifaceted background in consulting, research, and project delivery, James has consistently been at the forefront of driving innovation within the construction industry. His leadership has been pivotal in advancing off-site manufacturing strategies and digital technologies, constructively challenging conventional industry practices, and delivering tangible benefits in health, safety, quality, and productivity.

Before assuming his current role, James served as the Executive General Manager – Engineering for McConnell Dowell, playing a central role in shaping the company’s engineering initiatives and strategies. Prior to this, he held senior leadership positions at esteemed firms such as Laing O’Rourke and WSP, where his expertise and strategic insights were instrumental in the successful execution of various projects and initiatives.

Qualifications

BEng, PhD, University of New South Wales (Geotechnical); BSc, University of Sydney

Natasha has stepped into the role of Executive General Manager – Project Management Office (PMO) on an interim basis.

The PMO plays a critical role in shaping project governance, providing input into tenders, supporting mobilisation and onboarding, and overseeing active project performance. Additionally, it is responsible for Group Procurement, Planning, Project Controls, the Enterprise Risk Framework, and Plant Management.

Previously, as Group Planning Manager, Natasha drove cultural transformation in planning excellence across the Group, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives.

She started her career as an engineering geologist working on key infrastructure projects in Queensland, Australia.

Now, with over 20 years’ experience in construction, her expertise spans power, water, gas, renewable energy, telecommunications, defence, infrastructure, and mining.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Science, Geology and Geophysics

Heinrich has over 25 years of IT experience within the construction, manufacturing and mining industries and a demonstrated history of leading transformational initiatives in Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia and Africa.

Heinrich joined McConnell Dowell from Aveng in 2016, before assuming his current leadership role across all of Aveng Group in 2024.

Heinrich has a passion for data-driven decision making and loves to put people at the centre of technology solutions.

Qualifications

BCom Informatics, University of South Africa

Liesl has over 30 years’ experience in projects, manufacturing and service type businesses within the construction, electrical engineering, mining, manufacturing as well as IT industries. She has been deeply involved in corporate restructures, divestments, business turnaround initiatives. Additionally, she has improved the financial and commercial performance on multiple projects over the span of her career.

She is an experienced leader adept at developing high performance teams.

Liesl joined the Aveng Group in November 2017.

Qualifications

BCompt (Hons), University of South Africa, CA(SA)

Mario joined the McConnell Dowell Group when the business acquired Built Environs in 2008.

Since joining the company, Mario has built an impressive track record in project delivery and new business. Most recently, as General Manager of McConnell Dowell’s South Australian and Western Australian region, he has overseen the delivery of a diverse portfolio of projects across several market sectors and built a sustainable and profitable business in the process.

Mario is a natural leader and collaborator who builds high performing teams that deliver results.

Qualifications

BEng, University of South Australia

Fraser is an experienced construction industry professional with over 30 years of experience.

He has worked extensively in the infrastructure sector, encompassing various aspects such as design, major project construction, and general management of multi-disciplinary civil contracting. He has worked in New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

Throughout his career, Fraser has demonstrated a strong commitment to high-quality project execution and driving sustained commercial growth. He is recognised for cultivating a positive culture and achieving results.

Qualifications

BEng, University of Auckland; MBA, Massey University

Hee Wee’s experience in infrastructure construction spans the public and private sectors across both operations and precontracts. He has spent time in senior leaderships roles at John Holland Group, Gammon Construction Ltd and SoilBuild Construction Group, as well as establishing his own professional consultancy business.

Hee Wee’s longstanding contribution to the Singaporean construction space is complemented by equally significant ties to Australia.

Hee Wee completed his tertiary education in Melbourne, spending the early stages of his career as a Research Fellow for the Victorian Department of Transport.

Qualifications

MBA, Deakin University; M.Eng.Sci, Monash University; B. Eng, Monash University

Michael is a dedicated and results driven construction professional with over 30 years of experience managing all aspects of project delivery and leading construction businesses across Australia and New Zealand.

Michael is a passionate and engaging leader who enjoys building a business that enables him to create teams that deliver an inspiring vision.

Personal, gregarious, and socially outgoing, he excels in roles that involve understanding customers and stakeholders and building the organisational capabilities to fulfil their needs.

Qualifications

BPD, University of Melbourne

Rod joined Moolmans in June 2023 as the Operations Director before being promoted to the role of Managing Director in September 2023.

Rod brings a wealth of experience to his role, with a career spanning over 30 years in the mining sector, encompassing various countries such as South Africa, Botswana, Australia, Canada, Indonesia and New Zealand.

He has held senior positions including directorships at Thiess Australia, Majwe Mining Joint Venture, Thiess South Africa, Felix Resources and White Mining.

Qualifications

MBA, University of Cumbria (UK)