Organisational Structure

The Watpac Board of Directors

The Watpac Group is overseen by the Watpac Board of Directors, who are responsible for overseeing the Company’s strategic direction, and ultimately ensuring Watpac continues to be a strong contender in the marketplace..

The Board is comprised of individuals who are each known and respected for their extensive experience and knowledge in the fields of finance, property, or construction. Find out more about our Board Members and their experience.

The Executive Management Team

The Watpac Executive Management team is comprised of the General Managers for each of Watpac’s operational divisions (Construction, Property, Civil & Mining, and Specialty Services), along with the Group Human Resources Manager, the Group Commercial Manager, the Chief Financial Officer, and the Managing Director..

The Executive Team is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Company across Australia, from resource management such as staff and fleet, through to the financial management of each of their divisions.

Biographies

C R Freeman AM—Chairman, Non-executive Director

Mr Freeman has extensive operational and financial experience in the property sector. Mr Freeman was previously the Chief Executive Officer for Mirvac Limited’s Queensland development operation and has held senior management roles with Sunland Limited and QIDC (now part of Suncorp Limited). He was also past president of the Urban Development Institute of Australia. Mr Freeman was awarded a Member of the General Division of the Order of Australia (AM) for his contribution to the property development industry, the arts and other cultural affairs.

Mr Freeman holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Queensland and is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Queensland Business School.  Mr Freeman was appointed as a member of the Remuneration Committee during August 2011.

Director since 5 May 2011

R B McGruther OBE—Deputy Chairman, Non-executive Director

Mr McGruther complements the Board’s desire for quality with his experience in corporate and financial management. He is currently a consultant to Bentleys MRI, a national chartered accountancy firm, and was awarded an Order of the British Empire for his services to the community and sport. He is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and is also a former board member of the Queensland Events Corporation Ltd & Holy Spirit Sisters Group of Companies (acute and aged care services) and former Chairman of QRU Limited and ARU Limited. Mr McGruther is the Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee and a member of Watpac’s Remuneration Committee.

Director since 1993.

G K Kempton—Managing Director

Mr Kempton brings 39 years experience to his role as Managing Director of Watpac Limited. In this position, he is responsible for all facets of the company's operations including strategically placing Watpac's business to ensure profitability, while maintaining substance and growth. He remains personally involved with clients, government representatives and stakeholders. Mr Kempton is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Building, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Director of the Australian Constructors Association and Chairman of the Queensland Skills Board as well as graduating in Business Administration from the Harvard Business School in Boston.

Director since 2002.

K W Seymour AM—Non-executive Director

Founder and Executive Chairman of the Seymour Group, one of Queensland’s largest private development companies, Mr Seymour has an excellent reputation in the Queensland property industry and the demonstrated ability to produce projects of the highest standard, distinguished by their quality and attention to detail. He has substantial experience in the equities market in Australia and extensive management and business experience, including company restructuring. Mr Seymour has been involved in the construction industry and in real estate since 1972, and he brings a wealth of knowledge and a drive for excellence to the Board.

Mr Seymour is Deputy Chair of Ariadne Australia Limited (appointed 23 December 1992) and a Director of Tatts Group Limited (appointed 12 October 2006), both ASX-listed companies. In June 2003, Mr Seymour received the Centenary Medal for distinguished service to business and commerce through the construction industry, and in June 2005 he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for his service to business, the racing industry, and the community. Mr Seymour also serves as an Honorary Ambassador for the City of Brisbane. He is the past Chair of both Briz 31 Community TV and Brisbane Housing Company, and has served on the Lord Mayor’s Drugs Taskforce.

Director since 1996.

R J Lette—Non-executive Director

As a former partner and current consultant to the law firm Mullins Lawyers, Mr Lette brings a significant level of legal expertise to the Board. Since his admission to the Supreme Court in 1966, he has specialised in commercial, corporate, liquor, construction, and industrial law, and is a trained mediator. Mr Lette is currently Chairman of BUSS(Q) - the building industry superannuation fund, The Private Capital Group and The Infrastructure Fund. His directorships include Queensland Airports Limited, North Queensland Airports Group, Envirogen Pty Ltd and Racing Queensland Limited.

In addition, he is the Vice President of Tattersall’s Club and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He is also a Fellow of Association Superannuation Funds of Australia. Mr Lette is the Chairman of the Remuneration committee, a member of the Audit and Risk Committee, and Chairman of the Watpac Superannuation Plan.

Director since 1996.

D M Little—Non-executive Director

Up until his retirement in January 2004, Mr Little was the Managing Director of the Watpac Group. His career in the property and construction industry spans over 36 years, during which time he was responsible for the development of major commercial, industrial, and retail building projects, and land subdivisions. Mr Little is a member of the Remuneration Committee.

K A Mooney—Non-executive Director

From a merchant banking background, Mr Mooney had a long and successful career in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne in business development and executive management roles with Hill Samuel Australia, Industrial Equity Limited, Macquarie Bank and Australia Post. Mr Mooney has significant involvement with a number of charity organisations including Rotary International and the Bradman Foundation. He played a key role in the establishment of the Bradman Foundation, which controls the Bradman Museum and the International Cricket Hall of Fame and is the Bradman Foundation’s first Honorary Life Member.  Mr Mooney holds a Bachelor degree in Economics from Macquarie University.  Mr Mooney was appointed as a member of the Audit and Risk Committee during August 2011.

Director since 5 May 2011

Mark Baker—Chief Financial Officer / Company Secretary

Mark Baker Joined Watpac as the Group’s General Manager Finance in March 2010 and was promoted to the role of Chief Financial Officer/ Company Secretary in August 2011. Mark served as the Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary of Ariadne Australia Limited for over 2 years and previously held the role of Group Financial Controller. Mark has a substantial background in Assurance having worked in this service area at both Ernst and Young and Arthur Anderson, and has been involved in a number of complex domestic and international corporate transactions. Mark has significant experience in the areas of financial due diligence, transaction structuring and corporate governance. Mark holds a bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Arts, and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia, a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators and is a certified member of the Finance and Treasury Association of Australia.