Our History

Our history began in 1934 when MacDonald Wagner formed in Sydney, Australia. In 1989, a merger with the Connell Group formed Connell Wagner. 

The Aurecon brand was created in 2009, through a merger of Connell Wagner with two African based businesses. 

In October 2019, faced with changing conditions in Africa, where global models are no longer considered an advantage, Aurecon decided to demerge its African business, which is in the process of developing its own brand and identity. This process will be completed in 2020.

Aurecon retains a strong international presence with businesses across Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the Middle East.

• 2019 – Aurecon owners approve demerger of African business from the Aurecon Group
• 2019 – Aurecon acquires asset management business Quartile One
• 2019 – Aurecon announces William Cox as its new Global Chief Executive Officer to lead the organisation’s rapid growth and continuing diversification across Digital, Advisory and Asia
• 2018 – Aurecon acquires Studio Magnified (a creative team renowned for their work in precinct redevelopment and renewal, infrastructure and the built environment) to enhance their digital engineering and advisory offering. (Studio Magnified is now known as Unsigned Studio.)
• 2016 – Aurecon merges with AUP Consultants Pte Ltd, an independent Singaporean engineering consultancy, offering building engineering consultancy in mechanical and electrical systems
• 2015 – Giam Swiegers becomes Aurecon's new Chief Executive Officer, coming from Deloitte Australia where he was Chief Executive Officer for 12 years
• 2013 – Aurecon merges with QUOIN, a leading quantity surveying practice servicing mining, energy, process and heavy engineering sectors in Africa
• 2012 – Aurecon merges with NETGroup, a transmission and distribution solutions provider and market leader in the electricity consulting industry
• 2011 – Aurecon merges with Daniel Chan and Associates – an independent engineering consultancy with particular expertise in sustainable design in Hong Kong, China and Macau
• 2009 – Aurecon formed. Africon, Connell Wagner and Ninham Shand announce formation of a new global group, Aurecon, with over 210 combined years of experience across four continents
• 2008 – Integrated Management Information Systems (IMIS), specialist statistical traffic research and consultancy business merges with the Connell Wagner Group of companies
• 2008 – Ranhill Integrated Pty Ltd formed, providing engineering, procurement, project and construction management (EPCM), supervision and ancillary services
• 2002 – Pacific Power International (PPI) acquired by Connell Wagner
• 1996 – Integrated Management Information Systems (IMIS), specialist statistical traffic research and consultancy established
• 1992 – Rankine & Hill merges with Connell Wagner
• 1989 – The Connell Group and MacDonald Wagner merge, forming Connell Wagner
• 1986 – International Development Support Services Proprietary Limited (IDSS) established
• 1971 – Macdonald Wagner and Priddle established
• 1956 – John Connell & Associates formed in Melbourne, Australia
• 1955 – Rankine & Hill established by John Rankine and John Hill in Sydney, Australia
• 1951 – Africon established, South Africa
• 1938 – John Connell joins practice of Cyril Hudspeth and Associates in Melbourne, Australia
• 1934 – MacDonald Wagner formed in Sydney, Australia
• 1932 – Ninham Shand established, South Africa