AECOM completes URS integration
Confirms senior leadership changes and launches new construction services offering
Having successfully completed the integration and co-location of 800 URS Australia staff, premier integrated infrastructure firm AECOM has amassed a team of nearly 4,000 people in 25 offices across Australia & New Zealand (ANZ).
The integration has resulted in a number of key senior leadership appointments. These leaders will be responsible for ensuring AECOM and URS clients have access to the best talent and technical solutions from across AECOM, both locally and internationally.
Launch of Construction Services
As clients grapple with increasingly complex and challenging projects, AECOM has evolved beyond “fee-for-service” to become a partner that can provide “at-risk” construction services and program management.
In her new role as Managing Director, Construction Services – Australia and New Zealand, Nicole Stoddart will help AECOM build a pipeline of projects across ANZ, meeting the demand from local and global clients for a partner that can design, build, construct and operate assets on their behalf.
Joining from John Holland, where she recently led the successful $650m bid for the Ravenhall Prison project, Ms Stoddart has led design and construction projects in Australia, the UK, Philippines and Thailand, and held management roles with McConnell Dowell, Leighton Contractors and Laing O’Rourke.
Lara Poloni, AECOM Chief Executive – Australia and New Zealand, said the launch of Construction Services reflected similar moves in AECOM’s UK and US operations.
“The design, engineering and construction marketplace is evolving and client service expectations are changing. Global asset owners and investors are increasingly asking us to support them across the entire project lifecycle, so they can focus on their core business. We are also seeing top tier contractors expanding their own in-house design capability – resulting in margin pressure in some areas.”
“Unlike some of our competitors who were over exposed to the mining sector, we continue to have a balanced portfolio which enables us to embrace this disruption and respond with the launch of construction services.”
“We are delighted that someone as experienced and well respected as Nicole has joined AECOM from a tier-one contractor to drive our strategy in this area,” said Ms Poloni.
Reflecting on growth opportunities, Ms Stoddart commented, “AECOM is in an unrivalled position to leverage its specialist technical knowledge, trusted client relationships and global resources to deliver an integrated design, build and operate solution to clients’ most complex challenges.”
“Construction services will see AECOM extend its relationship on certain client engagements where the opportunity matches our ability to optimise project outcomes and, in doing so, manage risk. We won’t be taking on tradies or amassing a fleet of heavy plant and machinery and we will continue to work closely with all our existing clients. Our new capability will give AECOM the flexibility to offer our clients the right engagement model whether that’s as lead contractor, a joint venture partner or fee for service.”
New Oil & Gas industry leader
Ashley Lang, who had been leading URS Australia’s Oil & Gas business, will continue in that role at AECOM, with her expanded remit within the combined company also including New Zealand.
As AECOM’s ANZ Market Sector Director, Oil & Gas, Ms. Lang oversees a multi-disciplinary team of around 200 that focuses on providing integrated solutions to domestic and international clients.
After more than 15 years of experience providing environmental, engineering and principal contractor services to major Oil & Gas companies, Ms. Lang believes the combination of URS and AECOM creates an unrivalled offering to those operating in the sector.
She commented, “One of the many exciting aspects of AECOM and URS coming together is the opportunity for AECOM to capitalise on URS’s strong Oil & Gas capabilities, which complement AECOM’s own skills and build on the deep technical capability across the entire project lifecycle.”
Client experience
The final senior leader recently appointed to the AECOM ANZ executive team is the new Director of Clients and Marketing. Kate Dunton, who was previously leading AECOM’s Southern Marketing team, will now champion AECOM’s client service culture across Australia and New Zealand.
“Measuring and tracking progress in meeting clients’ needs and satisfaction is critical in extending relationships and supporting the business in identifying growth opportunities. We want to move beyond providing excellent client service and into understanding the role that every staff member has to play in developing a true client experience.”
Reflecting on the new appointments, Lara Poloni said, “Following the appointments of Nicole, Ashley and Kate there are now six female members of the AECOM Australia & New Zealand executive leadership team. The increased level of diversity of opinion and experience is already helping us to better meet the needs of our public and private sector clients in a dynamic and sometimes challenging economy.”
About Nicole Stoddart
- An experienced civil engineer and construction professional with a wide range of commercial and operational skills gained over nearly 20 years working in Australia, UK, Thailand and the Philippines
- She holds a Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Hons), RMIT, Melbourne, CEng FICE and FIEAust
- While at John Holland, she successfully secured the $650m Ravenhall prison project and a $500m package as part of the Level Crossing removal project
- She was also a key member of the operational team that delivered the St.Pancras station for the Eurostar in London
About Ashley Lang
- Holds a Bachelor of Environmental Science from Deakin University and a Master of Environmental Engineering from the University of Melbourne
- She joined legacy URS firm Woodward-Clyde in 1997 and held various technical practice, operational and business development leadership roles in Australia and Asia. For the past 12 months, she has been leading URS Australia’s Oil & Gas business while supporting AECOM’s Oil & Gas businesses in Southeast Asia and Greater China.
About Kate Dunton
- Over 15 years’ experience in professional services marketing in Australia and Europe including key roles at KPMG and Ashurst
- Joined AECOM in 2013 and has worked supporting growth and business development initiatives across Australia
- Holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne, post graduate qualifications in Professional writing and editing and marketing
About AECOM
AECOM is built to deliver a better world. We design, build, finance and operate infrastructure assets for governments, businesses and organizations in more than 150 countries. As a fully integrated firm, we connect knowledge and experience across our global network of experts to help clients solve their most complex challenges. From high-performance buildings and infrastructure, to resilient communities and environments, to stable and secure nations, our work is transformative, differentiated and vital. A Fortune 500 firm, AECOM companies had revenue of approximately US$18 billion during the 12 months ended September 30, 2015. See how we deliver what others can only imagine at aecom.com and @AECOM.