Building a legacy in Defence: Meet Oliver Crowther
Oliver is our Department of Defence Account Director in Australia and New Zealand. He’s a widely experienced leader across programme and project management. A forward-thinking engineer, who facilitates complex, multi-stakeholder projects to achieve success.
Oliver orchestrates AECOM’s efforts to mobilise behind Defence priorities, supports our Defence team to find, win and deliver impactful projects, and plays a key role in serving a diverse and complex client base. He supports every Defence branch across AECOM’s full-service offering, from environmental and program management services to engineering consultancy. With more than 18 years of experience across the Defence, engineering and infrastructure sectors, Oliver brings a unique blend of operational discipline, strategic insight and delivery capability.
Looking back on your career and time at AECOM, what pivotal moment or experience affirmed your purpose or your values? Something that made you stop and think, “okay, this is why I do this.”
There wasn’t one defining moment, rather, a series of meaningful connections that reaffirmed my purpose. Funnily, shortly after joining AECOM, I updated my LinkedIn profile, and my former military colleagues encouraged me to reach out to the AECOM UK Defence team. That led to conversations and before I knew it, I was in the heart of something special, supporting major global projects and collaborating across Australia, the UK, and the U.S. on AUKUS.
Being welcomed into a team that values openness, camaraderie, and lived experience, much like my time in the British Army, made me feel at home. That sense of belonging and the opportunity to contribute to globally significant work affirmed that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
Tell us a little bit more about your career journey. You just touched on the British Army.
My career journey is marked by diverse and enriching experiences, beginning with a master’s degree in naval architecture at Southampton University. I then embarked on an unexpected adventure in Turkey, contributing to the construction of the Maltese Falcon, a groundbreaking modern square rigger. This project honed my technical expertise and fuelled my passion for innovation and collaboration.
A persistent calling to serve led me to enrol at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, the home of British Army Officer training. This equipped me with leadership skills and resilience.
My time in the military was both challenging and transformative, providing close support to operations and fostering a sense of purpose. Meeting my wife, Hannah, prompted a shift towards technical engineering roles, which eventually led me to Perth, Australia, where I worked on the Perth Children’s Hospital project. After fulfilling my military service obligations, I made the move to Melbourne, where I led major bids for and managed significant, innovative projects like the Victorian Heart Hospital and Marvel Stadium, which included advanced sport facility technology integrations.
Ultimately, one rainy Melbourne day, my wife and I decided to return to Perth, aligning with our original plan and embracing new opportunities. Joining AECOM marked the beginning of a new chapter in client service, leading our talented Defence team. I apply my diverse experiences and leadership skills to impactful projects, contributing to the company’s global values.
Tell us a little bit more about yourself outside of work.
My personal life is deeply intertwined with family, fitness and community involvement. My wife and I are a strong team, balancing our careers and parenting our three energetic children, aged 7, 8 and 9. Our shared commitment to supporting each other enables us to manage our busy lives effectively.
I’m actively involved in my children’s activities. Volunteering and coaching for Nippers, it’s chaos, but it’s fun! They’re a bit like soldiers: keep them moving, don’t let them get bored. It’s incredibly rewarding. I also coach rugby during the winter. Staying fit through daily training is a priority, to maintain my physical and mental well-being. While I enjoy kite surfing and windsurfing in sunny, windy Perth, much of my focus right now is on family-oriented activities, reserving personal hobbies for when the kids are older.
How do you see your role evolving in the next few years in this changing and evolving industry?
I see my role focusing on empowering our talented teams and unlocking opportunities across AECOM’s global network.
The Defence team has unique capabilities, unmatched worldwide, and my aim is to facilitate the sharing of these strengths with colleagues in regions such as the UK, the Pacific, and the U.S.
As the industry evolves, our projects are increasingly complex, aligning perfectly with our expertise. There’s also a growing emphasis on speed to market, leveraging our extensive experience to meet these demands.
This transformation is not about individual success but about supporting collective excellence and ensuring we continue to set the benchmark in consultancy.
What kind of legacy do you hope to leave — in your team, in the work you deliver, or in the culture you help shape?
I aim to leave a legacy of creating a self-sufficient, empowered team. Drawing inspiration from military practices, where a second-in-command is always prepared to step up, I strive to ensure that my team operates autonomously, requiring minimal oversight. By fostering confidence and trust, my job is to enable team members to make informed decisions and deliver exceptional results.
Ultimately, my legacy is defined by a culture of agility, forward-thinking, and resilience, for sustained success and innovation. To win the game, you need to control the system, and to control the system, you need to be agile.
I’m also committed to our involvement in the Veteran Employment Program, supporting veterans in their transition to civilian careers. By creating pathways for our veterans to thrive, I aim to shape a culture that values service, inclusivity and long-term impact.
