JOBS NEWS: People are moving within the sector a whole lot more frequently than ever before. Let’s take a look.
A whopping 1.3 million people (or 9.5 per cent of employed people) changed jobs during the year ending February 2022, the highest annual job mobility rate since 2012. According to the data 22 per cent of professionals changed jobs and 2.1 million people left or lost a job – that’s according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
The industries with the most new entrants included construction, with 117,000 entrants, and professional, scientific and technical services with 137,000 entrants.
Northrop Consulting Engineers has gained a senior hydraulic consultant in Jeremy Montgomery, a new people and culture manager in Clarissa Fraser (nee Gamble), and a new project delivery coordinator in Vibhav Nawathe who moved from residential and commercial property developer and builder The Bathla Group.
Mathew Jarvis is now the new state director of Victoria at construction company Capital Insight after moving from business consulting service Johnstaff. Rina Rodriguez has also joined the company in its Sydney office to assist with its projects at Macquarie University, and Alex Tang is joining to work on the Bankstown – Fairfield Power upgrade projects.
In Melbourne there’s preparation underway for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with director of village sites being named at Lisa Antonio who previously worked at the Victorian Health Building Authority.
At 151 Property, Varun Potbhare has been made ESG manager. Mel Cutler recently moved from ANZ with 20 years of experience to a new role at Bupa as director of sustainability and ESG.
At the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), Cbus Property chief executive Adrian Pozzo has been appointed chair, taking over from Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz as the organisation resets its strategic focus.
With over 35 years of experience in the industry, working in both private and public companies, Mr Pozzo currently has responsibility for the strategic performance and management of all aspects of the Cbus direct property investment business, including major investments and developments in the commercial, retail and residential sectors.
If you want to lead an important green organisation, there’s a pretty good job on offer in the UK.
Far across the pond the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) has a new head of insights and innovation in Lucy Rees and Julie Hirigoyen will step down as chief executive in 2023, after more than eight years in the role – leaving the position up for grabs for those with the know-how and drive to steer the leading not-for-profit membership-led industry network.
During her time in leadership the UKGBC has doubled its membership base to more than 700, with 25 per cent of members official signatories to the global Race to Zero campaign. She also led the creation of the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Framework Definition, the Net Zero Whole Life Carbon Roadmap for the UK Built Environment unveiled at COP26, and launched UKGBC Scotland.
Sunand Prasad, chair of the board of trustees of the council called on suitable professionals to apply for the role: “The incoming chief executive of UKGBC has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to drive the system level change required to deliver net zero and to ensure we’re on a sure trajectory towards a climate-adapted and nature-friendly built environment.
“We’re looking for an inspirational and ambitious leader who will steer our team and strengthen our network, seizing new opportunities and expanding UKGBC’s reach and impact yet further.”
Then there’s Jenny Geddes who will replace Clean Up Australia chief executive Terrie-Ann Johnson as chief executive. Sharing her name with a famous Scottish heroine, Geddes has been chief executive officer of Workplace Giving Australia for four years, after holding the same role at The Australian Charities Fund for nine years. A spokesperson said she is well-placed to lead the non-profit into a new period of change.
Then, there’s the news of NSW Liberal minister for Infrastructure Rob Stokes’ retirement ahead of next year’s March state election, after 15 years as the Member for Pittwater.
He was moved from his planning portfolio late last year to howls of dismay from those who valued his deep understanding of the portfolio and education in the profession – a move that culminated in his successor ditching the much lauded design and place state environmental planning policy that attempted some modest climate resilience for NSW development.
In August, another six Coalition MPs said they will resign from NSW Parliament: Corrections Minister Geoff Lee, Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello, Riverstone MP Kevin Conolly, Nationals MPs Melinda Pavey, Stephen Bromhead and Chris Gulaptis.
NSW Lower House Speaker Jonathan O’Dea will retire after serving since 2019. Former attorney-general Gabrielle Upton will also leave at the next election.
You can’t help wondering where these pollie are headed – which private sector company might be keen to snap them up.