World-leading projects and world-class leaders were applauded last night at the Consult Australia Awards.
Australia has 58,600-plus design, advisory and engineering consulting businesses around the country – and this makes the annual Consult Australia Awards a hotly-contested competition.
The awards, held in Sydney at The Everleigh on Thursday 23 March 2023, honoured consulting firms operating across Australia’s built and natural environment sectors in 2022.
Thirteen categories were awarded, including client service, project excellence, innovative design, and superior sustainability.
“We received a record number of award submissions this year, which speaks to the strength of the industry as a global centre of excellence,” says Consult Australia’s Chief Executive Officer, Jonathan Cartledge.
Andrew Mather received the prestigious Consult Australia President’s Award for his four-decade industry contribution.
“Andrew is a former national president, mentor, guide and speaker who rolls up his sleeves whenever we put out the call for help,” says Rowenna Walker, Consult Australia National President and Aurecon’s Managing Director – NSW/ACT.
The Champions of Change Award for Female Leadership was presented to AECOM’s Melanie Collett for her technical skills, experience in water resource management and for her work to mentor emerging women leaders.
Aurecon’s Pratik Shrestha was presented with the Future Leader Award in recognition of his passion for innovation and his work to lead a world-first robotics technology trial at Western Australia’s first and largest mass-engineered timber building.
Boutique structural engineering consultancy Geotron was named Small Firm of the Year.
“Our judges applauded Geotron’s winning combination of engineering excellence and commitment to innovation,” Mr Cartledge notes.
Employee-owned environmental and social consulting business Umwelt took home the Medium Firm of the Year category.
“Umwelt’s people-focused culture caught our judges’ attention – especially the #MeDay initiative that gives every team member an extra 12 days of annual leave to do whatever makes them happy,” Mr Cartledge adds.
Jacobs was presented with the Large Firm of the Year gong.
“With a talent force edging above 55,000 people and $14 billion in annual revenue, Jacobs has a huge global footprint – and is using that to champion important issues from climate change to diversity.”
“Australia’s design, advisory and engineering firms are fiercely competitive, and everyone wants to know what leadership looks like,” says Mr Cartledge.
“Our awards point directly to that leadership and challenge everyone in the built and natural environments to move further and faster together.”