Orion Group’s Program Director Dominic Lynch passed away peacefully on Sunday 18 January 2026, surrounded by his family, after a courageous three-year battle with cancer.

Sharing the news on LinkedIn, the Orion team said: “Dom joined Orion in 2017 as General Manager and played a pivotal role in shaping the business into what it is today. He was instrumental in building the systems and foundations that continue to underpin Orion, and his leadership guided the team through a period of significant growth. Many of the people he mentored remain part of our business, carrying forward his influence and values. Across the wider industry, Dom was deeply respected for his expertise, dedication, and sharp mind. Over an exceptional career, he delivered meaningful developments and, just as importantly, invested in people, freely sharing his knowledge and supporting others along the way.”

Dom was a valued contributor to Consult Australia, most recently helping to develop the Combatting Modern Slavery – Business Guide. He was always willing to share intelligence to fuel Consult Australia’s advocacy efforts and support the broader industry. He will be greatly missed.

ACOR, one of Australia’s leading employee-owned engineering consultancy firms, has a new CEO.

Rob Clarke has 30 years’ experience leading tier-one multidisciplinary consulting businesses and has contributed to industry bodies such as Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA).

During his career, Rob has led initiatives that have shaped a sustainable built environment and advanced low-carbon practices. Dr Bronwyn Evans, Chair of the ACOR Board, says: “Rob’s track record in delivering client-focused outcomes and advancing sustainability aligns perfectly with ACOR’s purpose to create better futures for people, partners, and communities.”

Founding Managing Director Michael Goodwin will continue in a non-executive role, supporting ACOR’s people and clients.

Adrian Piani joined the Australian Building Codes Board in December 2025, and leads the organisation as it progresses the voluntary certification scheme for manufacturers of prefabricated construction, publication of National Construction Code 2025 and more.

Adrian brings nearly three decades of public and private sector experience working across the built and natural environments, including as ACT Chief Engineer. In that role, Adrian provided the ACT Government with strategic advice on infrastructure and led the delivery of significant infrastructure projects.

Most recently, Adrian led GHD’s federal government portfolio where he was responsible for engagement across a range of sectors including property, water, environment and transport.

Arup has appointed Amanda Yeates as Roads and Streets Leader in Australia and New Zealand. Amanda’s 30-year career includes a stint as CEO of SunCentral, leading one of Australia’s largest greenfield city centre developments. She was also Deputy Director-General, Infrastructure Management & Delivery for Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads.

Amanda is focused on taking a “systems-wide view of mobility and place to support the needs of regional freight, heavy vehicle movements and the growing logistics needs of industries such as defence, energy and large-scale renewables”.

Meanwhile, Peter Brunt is Arup’s new Victorian Water Business Leader, bringing expertise spanning water supply, wastewater, recycled water, treatment plant upgrades, hydraulic modelling, and large-scale transfer and storage infrastructure.

Most recently, Peter was Water Market Lead for Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia at Jacobs. He has held other senior project leadership roles and led major programs such as the River Murray to Broken Hill Pipeline, one of Australia’s largest regional water security investments.

Steve Adamthwaite, ANZ Water Leader, Arup says: “His appointment reinforces our commitment to supporting Victoria’s water authorities as they navigate growth, resilience, and long-term water security priorities.”

Christian Jensby joins global architecture, engineering, and consultancy company Ramboll as Group CEO in May 2026. He comes Deloitte in Denmark, where he has spent the last three years as CEO. He will be responsible for more than 18,000 experts operating in 35 countries.

"Ramboll’s development over the past decades has been impressive. I see good potential for further growth and an enormous potential for the impact Ramboll can have. I look forward to contributing to Ramboll’s continued success,” Christian says.

On his appointment, the executive board will consist of CEO Christian Jensby, CFO Eva Kienle, CPO Lone Tvis, COO Michael Simmelsgaard, and COO Peter Heymann Andersen.

SMEC has appointed John Figueroa as Manager Pavements – ANZ, strengthening its technical leadership and specialist capability across the Roads & Highways portfolio. 

With more than 30 years of global experience in pavement and geotechnical engineering, including senior roles with Aurecon, AECOM and in his own consultancy, John will oversee technical governance on major projects. He will apply his extensive design leadership and risk management expertise to deliver resilient, high performing pavements and strengthen client partnerships through specialist advisory support.  

As Area Business Group Manager of HDR’s growing transport practice in Australia, Peter Nel will lead a team that has expanded by more than a third in recent years and taken on a series of complex highway and road projects.

Peter, who has been with HDR for a decade, has expertise in all stages of infrastructure delivery, and provides guidance on commercial management and alternative delivery models across HDR’s transportation program.

“I look forward to leveraging HDR’s global reach, breadth of services and culture of quality to secure new opportunities and deepen our connection with clients in the transport industry,” Peter says.