ROBERT JOHNSON

Chairman

Robert has spent over 45 years working in the structural engineering profession, commencing his career in the public sector before moving to a private firm in 1985.

In that time, he has taken on many roles as a structural engineer, manager and director of an engineering consultancy that has become a significant practise with an established reputation for high quality engineering.

As a Director and later Executive Chairman of BG&E, Robert participated in and presided over significant expansion of the firm’s capacity and portfolio, increasing staff from 20 to 350, spread across five Australian and three international offices. Under Rob’s leadership, the firm experienced substantial growth in projects undertaken in the Middle East, successfully delivering structural design for over 50 high-rise buildings. In this period BG&E was awarded the Consult Australia, Medium Size Firm in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016. Robert’s design expertise covers commercial and high-rise structure, public buildings such as hospitals and education facilities, infrastructure projects including energy and public transport amenities, and civil engineering commissions including road, rail and bridge projects. In addition to the technical delivery of the projects, Robert has championed a team approach for successful design, with a particular emphasis on knowledge of materials, especially concrete, and buildability.

Over many years he has mentored several generations of junior and senior engineers and leaders of the engineering profession and continues to be active in this endeavour. The enduring success of the consultancy is a testament to this policy.

FRANK CERRA

Managing Director

Frank has been with BG&E for over 22 years and is the Managing Director of BG&E Group.

Frank has over thirty years’ experience in design of a diverse range of buildings’ projects and is internationally recognised as a leader in providing conceptual design and value engineering services for high-rise towers in many locations around the world including Australia, the Middle East, Asia, the UK and Europe. Frank maintains a hands-on design role in BG&E’s practice and is regularly engaged to provide peer reviews of structures to clients. He is known and respected for “thinking outside of the box”.

Frank’s creative mindset is also applied to the business world as he leads the BG&E Group which encompasses a number of highly technically individuals. He leads "The BG&E Way" of being integral to clients' success in numerous property and infrastructure projects.

DAVID FARAH

Executive Director

David has over 15 years’ experience in the design, documentation and coordination of a diverse range of civil infrastructure and building structures both in Australia and overseas.

In addition to his role as a Board member, David is also responsible for managing the Brisbane office. Under his leadership and his ability to maintain a hands-on approach to design, the office has grown a solid reputation for delivering high standard engineering services and assisting our clients throughout all stages of project delivery.

David has a strong track record in leading design teams on both Design only and Design and Construct projects. His skills in value engineering and design management are well regarded by both his peers and clients.

ANTHONY WOOD

Executive Director

Anthony has 25 years’ experience in the Transport Sector and is highly respected by his clients and teams of engineers for his approach to resolving technical issues and developing appropriate solutions. Over the years Anthony has acquired extensive experience in managing complex multidisciplinary projects which require collaboration between key stakeholders and the community as part of a highly effective project management process. His outstanding skills in managing people and budgets have led him to take on the role of Associate Director – WA Civil Team Lead.

In his approach to design, Anthony applies best-for-project principles, working collaboratively with reference groups and key stakeholders to develop preferred options. His priority to ensure that the project's outcome reflect the client's vision and requirements has led him to collaborate across a wide range of professions including transport planners, civil engineers, traffic modellers, network operations specialists, aviation engineers, groundwater hydrologists and geotechnical engineers, environmental scientists, indigenous heritage specialists, architects and structural engineers, landscape architects and many more.

Anthony maintains an overview of the infrastructure engineering team in the office and supports project leaders on the delivery phase of the projects.

RICK KREECK

Executive Director

Rick Kreeck is a Director and Team Leader of Materials Technology. He holds a degree in Civil Engineering and an MBA, and has over 20 years of professional experience. Rick’s leadership has ensured the successful growth of the Materials Technology team from its inception in 2012 to its current position as a leading materials and durability consultant in Australia and the Middle East. He has led the Materials team on successful bids on Woolgoolga to Ballina, Sydney Metro Northwest and the Green Square Library and Plaza.

Rick is highly regarded by his clients for his timeliness in response, practical approach to resolving issues, and collaborative approach with contractors and designers. He has provided support to clients on a wide range of technical issues, over all stages of the design, construction and operation of infrastructure and building projects.

Rick has an industrial background, from managing concrete plants, to serving as a Technical Manager in Readymix Concrete, to managing large projects, his awareness of client issues based on his experience has enabled him to work with clients to maintain asset serviceability and develop practical solutions to issues.

He has developed strong relationships with clients based on integrity and a willingness to support them when challenges arise. His Materials team now plays a significant part on key projects across Australia and overseas, making an important contribution to client success.

MATTHEW ING

Executive Director

Matthew has a proven track record in bridge engineering in road and rail covering his experience in Australia, NZ and the UK. He has worked on large multi-million dollar structural renewal schemes and led the design of multiple new bridge and civil projects. He has experience in bridge design and assessment in both rail and highway environments.

Through working on large urban infrastructure schemes, Matthew has gained key experience in the successful delivery of sound technical solutions, often working around large constraints, and is adept at managing expectations and requirements of stakeholders to achieve a successful outcome.

JENNIFER LORD

General Counsel (B.A., L.L.B)

Jennifer was admitted to practice in 1994 and has held various senior roles in the legal profession. She has a wealth of legal and commercial experience including contract and construction law, dispute resolution,insurance and competition and regulatory law.

Jennifer has has provided BG&E’s in house legal services since 2011 and brings to bear her commercial nous, strategic focus and legal expertise on commercial operations.

She is also a member of the Risk Management Group and is heavily involved in managing risk across the global business together with various aspects of compliance and governance.

PAUL FARRUGIA

Company Secretary

Paul is a commercial executive with broad experience across Finance, Operations and Corporate Services. He is a Big 4 trained Chartered Accountant, and has worked in international Property/Infrastructure, Funds Management and Technology companies. Paul has held a number of Board and Company Secretary roles and currently sits on the Boards of Surf Lifesaving Sydney, a specialist HR consultancy and an investment company.

Since joining BG&E in 2019, Paul has been responsible for the Corporate Services team which includes Finance, ICT, HR, Marketing and Administration. He is focussed on implementing governance structures, systems and processes which support the efficient operation of the business and promotes ongoing growth.

Paul and his team work closely with the Directors and Management to implement initiatives that build on BG&E’s success as one of Australia’s prominent consulting engineering practices with a growing international presence.