{"id":16031,"date":"2015-12-14T13:31:10","date_gmt":"2015-12-14T13:31:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aecom.com\/taiwan\/?post_type=press-release&p=16031"},"modified":"2017-10-19T06:50:39","modified_gmt":"2017-10-19T10:50:39","slug":"aecom-completes-urs-integration","status":"publish","type":"press-release","link":"https:\/\/aecom.com\/tw\/press-releases\/aecom-completes-urs-integration\/","title":{"rendered":"AECOM completes URS integration"},"content":{"rendered":"

Confirms senior leadership changes and launches new construction services offering<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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).<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Launch of Construction Services<\/strong><\/p>\n

As clients grapple with increasingly complex and challenging projects, AECOM has evolved beyond \u201cfee-for-service\u201d to become a partner that can provide \u201cat-risk\u201d construction services and program management.<\/p>\n

In her new role as Managing Director, Construction Services \u2013 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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019Rourke.<\/p>\n

Lara Poloni, AECOM Chief Executive – Australia and New Zealand, said the launch of Construction Services reflected similar moves in AECOM\u2019s UK and US operations.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUnlike 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe 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,\u201d said Ms Poloni.<\/p>\n

Reflecting on growth opportunities, Ms Stoddart commented, \u201cAECOM 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\u2019 most complex challenges.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cConstruction 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\u2019t 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\u2019s as lead contractor, a joint venture partner or fee for service.\u201d<\/p>\n

New Oil & Gas industry leader<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ashley Lang, who had been leading URS Australia\u2019s Oil & Gas business, will continue in that role at AECOM, with her expanded remit within the combined company also including New Zealand.<\/p>\n

As AECOM\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

She commented, \u201cOne of the many exciting aspects of AECOM and URS coming together is the opportunity for AECOM to capitalise on URS\u2019s strong Oil & Gas capabilities, which complement AECOM\u2019s own skills and build on the deep technical capability across the entire project lifecycle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Client experience<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\u2019s Southern Marketing team, will now champion AECOM\u2019s client service culture across Australia and New Zealand.<\/p>\n

\u201cMeasuring and tracking progress in meeting clients\u2019 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reflecting on the new appointments, Lara Poloni said, \u201cFollowing 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

About Nicole Stoddart<\/strong><\/p>\n