The Australian Constructors Association (ACA) has today announced the appointment of Annabel Crookes (Laing O’Rourke) as a Director of the Board and the first female Vice President on the national association’s executive team.

Ms Crookes will join returning President Craig Laslett (Lend Lease) and Vice President Scott Cummins (McConnell Dowell) to continue to drive important improvements in the construction industry throughout 2020.

“I’m delighted to welcome Annabel Crookes who will bring significant industry expertise to our executive team as we prepare for both an exciting and challenging period in major construction and infrastructure development in the coming years”, Mr Laslett said.

“As the head of the ACA’s Commercial and Contractual Working Group, Annabel has already played an important role to identify and implement opportunities to improve the development and delivery of major infrastructure projects.

“Annabel’s appointment to our executive team will allow her to continue to work closely with both the NSW and Victorian governments through the Construction Industry Leadership Forum (CILF) to spearhead improvements in the commercial environment in which the Australian construction industry operates”, he said.

Mr Laslett also said that the ACA members have recently approved changes to the ACA’s constitution that will enable it to increase the diversity and number of directors on the ACA Board.

“We are committed to driving cultural change in our industry, and as part of that aspiration we are taking steps to achieve gender balance and diversity on our own Board.”

“I am also pleased to see the re-appointment of Scott Cummins to the position of Vice President to enable him to continue the excellent support he has provided to the ACA’s activities throughout the year”, Mr Laslett said.

Mr Laslett went on to thank the ACA members for their collective commitment to the work of the CILF, and gave special thanks to outgoing Vice President Cathal O’Rourke (Laing O’Rourke) for his personal support and commitment to the success of the ACA’s activities to date.