Corporate governance

The Engineers Australia Board visited Engineers Australia’s Melbourne office for the June Board meeting. 

The Board attended the Global Talent Unites event, which spotlighted the importance of international talent to the future of engineering. The event explored the challenges and opportunities facing overseas-qualified engineers; the impact of international talent in shaping modern engineering and how the global engineering community can unite to drive meaningful progress. Of note were some inspiring stories of success and reflections of what aspects could be grown to magnify future successes. The Board also enjoyed a tour of Engineers Australia’s Transformation Hub, gaining insight into the innovative work happening in this space.

At the Board meeting, directors:

• Discussed key aspects of Engineers Australia’s FY26 Strategy and roadmap.
• Met with Engineers Australia’s Victorian Division President, Kriston Symons, General Manager Victoria Division, Jerry Andrews, Young Engineers Australia Victoria Division Co-Chair, Bec Lin, Overseas Qualified Engineer Victoria Chair, Yew Chin Koay and Women in Engineering Victoria Chair, Akila Ranatunga, to hear about recent developments in the division.
• Approved the FY26 budget, as endorsed by the Board’s Audit and Risk Committee.
• Received updates on health, safety and wellbeing, the transformation program, cybersecurity, internal and external audit programs, professional standards, risk management and compliance.

The Engineers Australia Board visited the tropical climes of Townsville to connect with our regional members, as well as to convene for the April Board meeting. The Board enjoyed an exceptional tour of the James Cook University campus in Townsville, including their Cyclone Testing Station and Engineering Faculty.  Other highlights included meeting with the local engineering community at an Ignite event and a visit to the CopperString 2.0 2032 Experience Centre. A notable reflection from the member event was the number of engineers who had moved to the region and established flourishing careers; many of these engineers were overseas qualified.

The Board meeting included the following:

• An update on Professional Standards leading up to the International Engineering Alliance meeting in June 2025. 
• A detailed discussion on AI, including the role of the Board in respect of AI governance.
• Engineers Australia’s Queensland Division Committee President, Andrew Reid, General Manager Queensland Division, Darren Beattie, Townsville Committee Member, Tim Ferguson and Young Engineers Australia Queensland Division Chair, Allissa Li joined the meeting to discuss initiatives and developments in Townsville and the Queensland Division more broadly.
• An update on the transformation program, including the upcoming launch of the new finance system, cybersecurity, health, safety and wellbeing and risk management.

February saw the Board and Executive Team meet in Sydney for a planning and strategy workshop followed by the February Board meeting. 

While in Sydney, the Board attended the Ignite networking event, one of a series of nationwide events to enable our members to connect with their peers.   

At the meeting, the Board:

• Received an update on Engineers Australia’s Federal Election engagement.
• Provided feedback on the early planning and approach for the FY25 Annual Report.
• Met with Sydney Division President, Nicole Waterman, Young Engineers Australia Sydney Division Co-Chair, Kunal Tiwari and Young Engineers Australia Sydney Division Co-Chair, Adriana Assey.
• Approved a three-year extension to the current engagement with EY as the Engineers Australia Group external auditor.
• Received an update on the transformation program, cybersecurity, health, safety and wellbeing and risk management.

The Member and Stakeholder Committee of the Board was enhanced with five senior office bearers to focus on member voices and value to members.

December saw the Board gather in Brisbane for its last Board meeting of the year followed by the Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2024.  

In the AGM, Director Liza Maimone, CEO Romilly Madew and I presented Engineers Australia 2023-2024 Annual report, financial results and auditor’s report. Engineers Australia’s performance against its strategic objectives and key achievements over the financial year were also shared. The 2025 composition of the Board of Directors and National Congress were announced, as was my election as the 2025 National President and Board Chair. 

The Board meeting included the following:

• A number of 2025 Board administration matters, including confirming the Board sub-committee and subsidiary Board compositions for 2025.
• We were delighted to welcome Young Engineers Shadow Board Chair, Nicole Brown and Young Engineers Shadow Board member, Celeste de Mezieres to hold a further discussion on career progression, gender and culture from a young engineer’s perspective. 
• The Board received updates from the International Advisory Panel Chair, Doug Hargreaves, Professional Conduct Committee member, Matthew O’Hearn and Accreditation Board Chair, David Cruickshanks-Boyd. 
• Additionally, the Board considered updates on health, safety and wellbeing, risk management, the transformation program and cybersecurity.

The Engineers Australia Board and members of the executive team met in Perth the week of 14 October for a board meeting and strategy update.

We received valuable insights on the University Accord recommendations and engineering leadership from Professor Mary O’Kane AC HonFIEAust, the inaugural NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer and Chair of the Australian University Accord Panel.

At the board meeting, we were provided an update on the annual external financial audit, approved the FY24 Engineers Australia Group Financial Report and considered a draft education strategy. We also received an update on the transformation program, which promises significant enhancements and improvements for our members, customers and employees.

While in Perth, the board took the opportunity to meet with Western Australian Division representatives to discuss strategies to support overseas-qualified engineers as well as strengthen connections among Young Engineers Australia Division Committees nationwide. The trip provided a valuable opportunity to connect with our Western Australia team.

The Engineers Australia Board and executive team met the week of 20 August for a board meeting, strategy workshop and CSE 2024.

In the strategy workshop, the previous months of engagement on strategy throughout Engineers Australia and the inputs of listening sessions around the country culminated in a finalised strategy that will guide efforts over the coming years.

At the board meeting, issues considered included strategic Engineers Australia considerations on current and future rapid advances in digital/software interfaces with different types of engineering, long-term organisational optimisation to deliver on the new Engineers Australia strategy and enhanced co-delivery models leveraging divisional strengths. 

The board received a report from the Young Engineers Shadow Board on what is missing from or inhibiting Engineers Australia’s delivery of maximum value from a young engineer’s perspective. It also engaged with Queensland division representatives on how the division is helping to deliver on Engineers Australia’s strategic priorities and the challenges members in Queensland are facing, including in relation to registration pathways. 

The board considered a draft Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2024–2026 and received an update from the Board Nominations Committee on the 2025 director nominations and election process.

Find out more about CSE 2024, including the highlights of the conference. 

The Engineers Australia Board and the executive team recently visited the Darwin office to hold a board meeting. 

National President and Board Chair Dr Raj Aseervatham and CEO Romilly Madew AO were in Darwin for the week, meeting with local members, politicians and experts. 

Meetings were held with key government officials including Luke Gosling OAM, MP Chair of the Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport, the NT Infrastructure Commissioner Louise McCormick and Joel Bowden Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics. 

The board and executive team joined the Northern Territory International Women in Engineering Day celebration at Parliament House hosted by Chief Minister Eva Lawler. It was a great opportunity to reflect on the incredible work of engineering women to create a safe, innovative and sustainable territory. 

They also attended the EngExec Chartered Recognition lunch to celebrate those engineers who have recently achieved a new professional status. 

Engineers Australia Northern Territory General Manager Jennifer Jan said members were thrilled to meet and interact with the board and executive team. 

Over the week the board and executive also had guided visits to spots of engineering excellence in the NT including a visit to Charles Darwin University to see the Nano Technology, Analytical Facilities, Spee3d, Bitumen Lab, Pavement Lab and Friction Stir Welding departments, a boat tour to see East Arm, the Ship Lift and the Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct and Gas Plant.

Board meeting agenda 

• Discussed the ongoing development of Engineers Australia’s strategy.
• Discussed the fourth pillar of the strategy, Providing leadership to and on behalf of the profession for societal benefit, with the executive.
• Discussed the insights from the first round of the listening sessions held with members.
• Met with Engineers Australia Northern Division President Jacinta Kelly, General Manager Northern Territory Jennifer Jan and the Young Engineers Australia Northern Division Deputy Chair Trong Chau to hear about recent developments in the division.
• Approved the FY25 budget, as endorsed by the Board’s Audit and Risk Committee.
• Approved the expansion of the Board Governance Committee’s remit to include people and culture matters and approved an updated Committee Terms of Reference. 
• Received updates on the digital transformation program, cybersecurity, risk management and leadership development.