December 2024

PEOPLE & MOVEMENTS

ACIF elects Chair Shannon Battisson

Shannon Battisson | ACIF

Shannon Battisson
Chair
The Australian Construction Industry Forum (ACIF)

The Australian Construction Industry Forum (ACIF) has appointed Shannon Battisson as its new Chair, following her selection as the preferred candidate by the ACIF Board.

Shannon, a former National President of the Australian Institute of Architects, is a distinguished professional in her field. She serves as Chair of the Australian Institute of Architects’ charitable foundation and is the Director of Architecture at The Mill, a multidisciplinary design studio based in Canberra.

ACIF Executive Director, Dr James Cameron, welcomed Shannon’s appointment and described her as “a very effective advocate for the construction industry.” He also acknowledged the contributions of outgoing Chair, Norman Faifer, who “he helped steer the forum in a wise and dignified manner, and his fifty-plus years of industry experience were invaluable”.

Steensen Varming appoints Gráinne McCormack as CEO

Louise Greenhalgh | RLB

Gráinne McCormack
Chief Executive Officer
Steensen Varming

Global consulting engineering firm Steensen Varming has appointed Gráinne McCormack as its new Chief Executive Officer – a pivotal move that marks her return to the company as it enters its 100th anniversary decade.

Effective 1 March 2025, Gráinne will lead Steensen Varming into its next phase of growth and innovation, building on its 91-year legacy. Gráinne previously spent 10 years with the firm, which specialises in mechanical and electrical engineering, lighting and sustainable design.

“I am honoured to return to Steensen Varming as CEO – a firm whose values and legacy have shaped both my professional and personal journey,” Gráinne said. “In these challenging times of growing ESG scrutiny and financial pressures, our people will lead the way.”

Steensen Varming’s leadership transition is the culmination of years of strategic succession planning led by outgoing CEO Dan Mackenzie and Executive Director Chris Arkins. Dan will continue with Steensen Varming as Chair of the Board.

“Succession is a responsibility we take seriously,” Dan said. “Gráinne’s appointment reflects years of deliberate planning to ensure our future leadership embodies the DNA of Steensen Varming – our design excellence, creativity and collaborative client focus.”

SLR acquires Element Advisory

Rod Balding | Standards Australia

Paul Gardiner
Asia Pacific Managing Director
SLR

The addition of Western Australian consultancy Element Advisory will further strengthen SLR’s existing planning and assessment capabilities. 


Founded as a UK business in 1994, SLR now has more than 4,000 people delivering client solutions across six regions.

This acquisition will see SLR’s presence in Perth grow to a team of more than 170, making it one of the largest specialist teams in the state. 


According to Paul Gardiner, SLR Asia Pacific Managing Director, Element Advisory’s “enhanced technical capability will bolster our ability to tackle some of the region's most complex sustainability challenges and achieve our purpose of Making Sustainability Happen”.


Led by CEO James Curtis, Element Advisory is a 65-person team of technical specialists. “By combining the technical, scientific, project management and regulatory approvals capabilities of both SLR and Element Advisory, we will be able to deliver even greater impact,” James said.