IPWEA welcomed its new CEO Robert Fuller at its conference in Rotorua today, as a number of executive changes were announced.
Fuller will replace retiring CEO Chris Champion who has held the position of IPWEA CEO for 15 years. He thanked Chris for his support in the handover and praised conference organisers for the event.
Fuller comes to the role as IPWEA CEO highly experienced across construction, infrastructure, fleet and government sectors having been in management at BP Australia, Honeywell Engineering, and Master Builders Association (MBA).
He is also a former CEO of the Newcastle Master Builder Association, NSW GM and Deputy CEO Printing Industry Association of Australia, QLD State Director CEDA (Committee for Economic Development of Australia), and CEO Hunter Valley Training Company.
Fuller said: “I think the conference IPWEA NZ has put on for us has been absolutely outstanding. I look forward to seeing all of you and more in Perth.”
The conference marked a significant achievement for Champion, who has navigated the association from a mere $300,000 budget when he started to a $4m budget and $1m cash legacy.
Champion has held the position of IPWEA CEO for 15 years. Under his guidance, the association has developed into a globally recognised brand in public works and infrastructure asset management and merged with the New Zealand association Ingenium.
“The last 15 years have gone as quickly as the conference,” Champion said. “We’ve come a long way. I never foresaw that IPWEA would be where it is today.”
He will be stepping down as CEO, to move into a new part-time role as Director International Relations for IPWEA. It is a “refresh” as opposed to a “retirement”, he told delegates.
“IPWEA has been the most satisfying part of my career,” he added.
IPWEA President Michael Kahler will also be stepping down from his role after two years in tenure. IPWEA Vice President, Ross Goyne, will step up into the role of President from July and he’ll attend his first meeting in his new capacity in October.
IPWEA NZ President Braden Austin, who has hosted a record-breaking conference in Rotorua, handed over his presidency to his VP Peter Higgs at an extension of the association’s AGM.
The final handing of the baton of the week was conducted by IPWEA NZ CEO Ross Vincent passed over the IFME Presidency reins.
IPWEA would also like to thank retiring Directors Paul Di Iulio, John Truman, Greg Moran and Terry Blanchard for their hard work and dedication to the advancement of the association.
Executive changes (full list below gallery)
IPWEA Retiring Directors
Paul Di Iulio (SA)
John Truman (NSW)
Greg Moran (NSW)
Terry Blanchard (WA)
Incoming IPWEA President
Ross Goyne (VIC) (replacing Michael Kahler, QLD)
Incoming IPWEA CEO
Robert Fuller (replacing Chris Champion)
Incoming IPWEA NZ President
Peter Higgs (replacing Braden Austin)
New Emeritus members
Alex Sheridan (WA)
Barry Hagan (SA)
Wally Isaiello (SA)