Aurecon invests in Nomic to shape AI-enabled engineering
Aurecon's strategic investment in Nomic builds on a four-year working partnership to scale industry-specific AI capabilities across Aurecon's workforce.
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Asia Pacific engineering consultancy Aurecon has appointed seven new Design Directors to help clients successfully deliver complex, high-risk projects while strengthening technical excellence and innovation across the region.
The appointments bring Aurecon’s most experienced technical leaders to significant challenges facing clients across Asia Pacific, including energy transition, infrastructure resilience and efficiency, rapid digitisation and increased pressure on capital investment.
Aurecon Chief Engineering, Eminence & Innovation Officer Tanya de Hoog said the appointments reflect the strategic importance of technical eminence and innovation in a rapidly changing world.
“We are optimistic about the future and what can be achieved. Increasing our Design Director cohort brings even more deep technical expertise and innovative thinking, enhancing our ability to lead through change and help clients shape what comes next.”
Aurecon Director, Eminence Evelyn Storey said Design Directors bring Aurecon’s sharpest thinking to the decisions and opportunities where it matters most for clients.
“Our new Design Directors are at the top of their fields and will help clients deliver better, faster and smarter through trusted expertise and deep technical capability,” Storey said.
“These appointments recognise senior leaders whose practical judgement will influence critical decisions on complex programs and projects. By involving them at the right moments, particularly early when decisions can have the greatest effect on value, cost, risk and performance, we give clients greater confidence in program and project outcomes.”
"Design Directors bring Aurecon’s sharpest thinking to the decisions and opportunities where it matters most for clients."
Evelyn Storey, Director, Eminence & Sustainability, Aurecon
Working across Aurecon’s Asia Pacific business, from early development through engineering and key delivery phases, Design Directors connect expertise across markets, disciplines and geographies. They help teams and clients navigate critical decisions where design direction, risk, constructability, client intent, stakeholder and community needs, and long-term outcomes must be carefully balanced from the start.
Storey said the role also strengthens technical capability across Aurecon by sharing and applying expertise across the business.
“Great technical leadership is not only about individual expertise. It is about how that expertise is shared, tested and applied across the business,” Storey said.
“Our Design Directors mentor emerging leaders and help teams bring clear, considered and practical thinking to clients’ most complex work.”
While each Design Director brings deep expertise in their field, the role extends beyond their existing areas of specialisation. Design Directors work across Aurecon’s business, disciplines and markets, applying their leadership where it can create the greatest value for clients and project outcomes.
The newly appointed Design Directors are:
Dr Ben McGarry is an energy transition leader with more than 25 years of experience helping clients create strategies and identify and navigate pathways, impacts and opportunities in our fast-changing energy and infrastructure landscape. His experience spans the technical, commercial and financial dimensions of energy technologies, projects and markets.
Chloe Williams is a civil and roads leader with 20 years of experience across project and design management, highway engineering, constructability, road safety and risk management. Chloe works across a range of markets and has led significant road infrastructure projects.
Graham Bentley is a rail engineering leader with 20 years of experience, particularly in traction and rolling stock. Graham’s expertise includes rolling stock specification and procurement advisory, strategic railway asset planning, fleet management strategy, depot design and operational optimisation.
James Trezona is a building design leader with more than 30 years of experience and particular expertise in Defence, health, laboratories and education. James brings deep experience in project leadership, design management, stakeholder engagement, integrated building design and structural engineering.
Dr Jan Kupec is a ground engineering and geotechnical leader with more than 30 years of experience across advisory, technical and project management roles. His expertise includes slope stability, liquefaction assessments, bridge foundations, risk-based assessment, forensic advice and emergency response. Jan is working with New Zealand Fire and Emergency Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) as a geotechnical specialist.
Mike Sudmalis is a process engineering leader with more than 25 years of experience across energy, petrochemicals, power and water treatment. He brings expertise across conceptual engineering, pre-front-end engineering design (pre-FEED), front-end engineering design (FEED) and detailed design in the energy, petrochemicals, power and water industries, with a focus on clarity, technical rigour and commercially sound, auditable decisions.
Ryan Turner is a power transmission and distribution leader with more than 20 years of experience in grid connection, high-voltage electrical engineering, power systems, renewable energy, traction power, network planning and energy advisory. Ryan is currently a board member of The Australian Power Institute.
Ben, Chloe, Graham, James, Jan, Mike and Ryan join 10 existing Aurecon Design Directors: Alecs Chong, Arne Nilsen, Christian Bodner, John Hilton, Julian Briggs, Ken O’Neill, Kylie Cochrane, Stephen Logan, Steve Wilson and Tony Lavorato.
Together, Aurecon’s 17 Design Directors bring trusted expertise and practical judgement to the critical decisions that shape complex projects, helping clients manage risk, improve long-term value and achieve better outcomes with confidence.
Group Director, Brand, Marketing & Communications
Aurecon's strategic investment in Nomic builds on a four-year working partnership to scale industry-specific AI capabilities across Aurecon's workforce.
Aurecon has announced 31 new owners across Australia, New Zealand and Asia, who will play a critical role in helping the company grow alongside our clients.
As of 1 July 2025, Aurecon welcomes 30 new owners as the next generation of leaders to help clients solve increasingly complex problems.
