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NewsLouise Adams honoured as Australia’s Civil Engineer of the Year

13 October 2022 | 2 min

International design, engineering and advisory company Aurecon’s Chief Operating Officer Louise Adams has been awarded the prestigious Sir John Holland Civil Engineer of the Year 2023 in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the profession and society.

The prominent award is presented annually by the Civil College of Engineers Australia to an eminent civil engineer considered to have made a major contribution to the profession. Louise’s efforts to increase the future engineer pipeline; advocating for engineers to become more visible and vocal about helping solve the world’s complex challenges and increasing the number of women entering and remaining in STEM careers were recognised.

L-R: Romilly Madew, CEO of Engineers Australia with Louise Adams, Aurecon and Dr Nick Fleming, National President and Board Chair of Engineers Australia.

Louise said she was deeply honoured to receive the esteemed award that is regarded as one of the engineering industry’s highest accolades.

“I truly believe we are in the ‘age of the engineer’ where the skills and capabilities our profession uniquely bring are critical in helping solve the most complex challenges facing the world today,” Louise said.

“As a profession we need to hold a seat at the table when discussing and making key decisions around the infrastructure required to underpin prosperous and safe communities across Australia into the future.”

“Helping address the shortage of engineers amidst significant infrastructure spend within the industry is a particular passion of mine. While the sector has long faced a shortage of engineers, the need has increased dramatically in recent years given stimulus packages for infrastructure projects granted during the pandemic and plans to transition the Australian economy to net zero.”

With more than 25 years' international experience as a Chartered Civil Engineer and as Aurecon’s Group Chief Operating Officer and former Chief Executive for Australia & New Zealand, Louise Adams is one of Australia’s highest profile female engineers. Louise has led major civil and multidisciplinary projects in the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, Iran, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Singapore, Guyana, North America, Pakistan, Libya, Qatar and the UAE.

Louise has been heavily involved in addressing the shortage of engineers and significant infrastructure spend impacting the industry. She has worked with the National Advisory Board of Infrastructure, Consult Australia, Engineers Australia and Australia Group of Eight (Go8) Industry Summit top to build a steady pipeline and engineering workforce for the future.

"I truly believe we are in the ‘age of the engineer’ where the skills and capabilities our profession uniquely bring are critical in helping solve the most complex challenges facing the world today."
Louise Adams, Chief Operating Officer, Aurecon

Louise has also contributed to shaping the future of communities through her work with FIDIC Global Leadership Forum, the National Advisory Board of Infrastructure Partnerships Australia, Co-Chair of the Business & Economy pathway of the Victoria Summit 2021 Playbook. Louise was also appointed as one of three inaugural Business Champions to further two-way trade and investment opportunities to business communities in Vietnam and Australia.

Louise is also a passionate advocate for female leadership and equality within STEM and worked with several organisations to enact change, including her role as the outgoing Chair of the Champions of Change Consult Australia Group where her focus was on co-creating inclusive cultures, increasing women in leadership, and eliminating like for like pay gap.