Sonja O’Leary has been appointed Acting Chief Executive Officer of Infrastructure WA for a one-year term commencing 3 August 2026.

Currently the Assistant Director General State Services at Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Sonja brings more than 30 years of leadership experience across the Western Australian public sector and extensive expertise in leading reform, organisational change and delivering strategic priorities.

GHD has appointed Lucy Hovanec as APAC Business Advisory Leader, strengthening its leadership capability as demand grows for integrated advisory services across the region.

Lucy will lead a team of more than 400 people, bringing 20-plus years’ experience to the role. Her work has spanned advisory, consulting, construction and project delivery in Australia, Africa, the Pacific and Asia. She steps out of her role as General Manager for ACT, Southern NSW and Papua New Guinea, where she led multidisciplinary teams delivering complex projects for government and industry.

GHD’s APAC CEO Van Tang said Lucy’s appointment reflects both the scale of opportunity and the importance of business advisory to GHD’s future growth. “Her leadership will strengthen our position across APAC and support our clients as they respond to rapidly changing economic, environmental and geopolitical conditions.”

Dr Andy Marks has been appointed to the board of Infrastructure NSW. Andy brings more than 20 years’ senior leadership experience across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, with expertise in policy reform, strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement and governance.

Andy is widely recognised for his work advancing equitable economic and social outcomes, particularly in Western Sydney. His appointment further strengthens the Board’s depth and diversity as it continues to provide independent, evidence-based advice to the NSW Government on the state’s infrastructure priorities.

David Wagner will take up the role of National President at the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2026 Annual General Meeting. He picks up the baton from Adam Haddow, who will continue to contribute in the role of Immediate Past President.

With more than 30 years of experience across Melbourne, Canberra and London, David is a partner at Atelier Wagner, the practice he co-founded in 1998. He served as a Councillor for the Institute’s Victorian Chapter from 2020 to 2022 and most recently held the role of Victorian Chapter President.

David says: “I am dedicated to continuing the advocacy work that has gone before me, promoting the value of architects and architecture to the benefit of a designed built environment to both the public and to government.

Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) has announced 17 promotions across its Australia and New Zealand business. The appointments include two new Directors: Queensland’s Nicholas Duncan and Auckland-based Bradley Coley. Mark Spencer has been promoted to Technical Director and Victoria Ferguson appointed as New Business Manager in New South Wales.

A further 13 employees have been promoted to Associate roles across Adelaide, Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and Christchurch, reflecting growth across the firm’s quantity surveying, infrastructure, project management and advisory services.

RLB Oceania Board Chair Steve Gracey said the appointments recognise individuals who have made significant contributions to clients, colleagues and communities across the region.