Mr Paul Andrew Hardy

Paul graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor of Engineering in 1977, and a Master Of Engineering Science in 1983. He was awarded Civil Department Alumnus of the Year in 2013.

His career began at Gutteridge, Haskins, and Davey in 1977 where he worked as a water engineer before managing the regional office in Albury from 1981 to 1984.

He then led industrial projects in the petrochemical, manufacturing, and pulp and paper industries. This included being project manager of an $550 million paper mill upgrade.

Paul became director of GHD in 1994, and led GHD’s international business from 1993 to 1999, executing projects in 20 countries, covering naval bases, airports, water supply, wastewater treatment, bridges and related infrastructure.

In 1999, he joined Connell Wagner, and shortly after led the business as a member of the executive team. From 2000 to 2007, the Victorian business undertook the design (in a joint venture) of the northern stand at the MCG, and the Eureka Tower.

In 2007, he became executive chairman of Connell Wagner, and in 2009 led the mergers with South African companies Africon and Ninham Shand to form the global company Aurecon. Paul served as global CEO until 2014.

From 2014, he’s pursued business and community interests that include directorships of PukaUp (a social investment company with the goal of eliminating suicide), Collingwood Football Club Foundation, and St Vincent’s Health Australia (both chairing the capital-raising campaign for a new hospital in Werribee, and sitting on the advisory board).

Paul also holds directorships of Pitt and Sherry (as chair), Systemix, Linkcare, CareGuidance (all as chair) and CityWide. He recently stepped down as chair of SurfLakes, Alffie, and Pan Group.