2013 Civil Engineering Alumnus of the Year: Mr Paul Hardy
Paul Hardy is the Chief Executive Officer of Aurecon and has been a practicing engineer for over 35 years. He was appointed to the position of CEO in 2009 and is responsible for the overall strategic direction and management of the business. Aurecon provides engineering, management and specialist technical services for public and private sector clients globally and has an office network extending across 26 countries. Aurecon has been involved in projects in over 80 countries across Africa, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and the Americas and employs around 7,500 people throughout 11 industry groups.
Mr Hardy gained a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering in 1977 and a Master of Engineering Science in 1982 from Monash University. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers, Australia and is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He joined the business in 1999 and was appointed as a director and Victorian Region Manager of Aurecon in July 2000 and became Group Executive Chairman in July 2007. From 1994-99, he directed the development of Aurecon’s international business working in Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines, China, India, Indonesia, Cambodia and the Pacific Rim. Prior to joining Aurecon, he worked for Gutteridge Haskins and Davey, commencing in 1977.
Aurecon’s heritage businesses stretch back to 1932 and included operations in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Africa. Over more than 60 years, the business has delivered numerous iconic projects around the world. A selection includes: the Melbourne Underground Loop, Melbourne Cricket Ground redevelopment, National Gallery of Victoria, Adelaide Desalination Plant, Northern Sewer Stages 1 & 2 (Melbourne), Melbourne Main Sewer Replacement, EastLink and Peninsular Link, Novo Rail Alliance, NSW (ongoing), TrackStar Alliance, QLD (ongoing), Abbot Point Coal Terminal expansions (since 2005 – ongoing), Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group Coal Export Terminal, Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal expansions (commencing 1982 – ongoing), Telstra and Optus Mobile Network Deployment Site Acquisition, Environment and Design, Australia (ongoing), Central Terminal Building at OR Tambo International Airport, South Africa, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, South Africa, Gautrain Rapid Rail Link, South Africa, Nova Vida Housing Development, Angola, Maguga Dam, Swaziland, National Master Plan for Wastewater and Sanitation, Botswana, Wembley Stadium, United Kingdom, Etihad Towers, United Arab Emirates, City of Dreams, Macau, Nam Theun 2 Hydroelectric Project, Laos, Indonesia Australia Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (ongoing), Hong Kong Airport Terminal Building.
Mr Hardy chairs Aurecon’s Global Health and Safety Committee. He was recognised by Engineers Australia as one of the 100 most influential engineers in the country in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. Mr Hardy is a supporting member of the Collingwood Football Club Foundation and actively supports the Sumba Foundation and the Breast Cancer Foundation.