The Program
Explore our draft program – updates to follow shortly.
8:00am – Registration
Session 1: FF24 to FF25 – Raising the bar
8:30am
FF25 opening
Adam Spencer, our MC for Foundations and Frontiers.
8:40am
ACA Welcome
Annabel Crookes, President, Australian Constructors Association
8:55 am
Ministerial Keynote
Hon Jarrod Bleijie MP, Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development and Infrastructure and Planning, Minister for Industrial Relations
9:15am
One year on: taking stock, gaining ground and setting the pace
“Nothing ever changes” or does it? This rapid-fire rundown of the biggest shifts in the past year will reveal what’s progressing, what’s evolving and what it means for the future.
– National Construction Blueprint
– National Construction Strategy
– Industry Culture Standard.
Jon Davies, CEO, Australian Constructors Association
Gillian Geraghty, Director General & ACT Chief Engineer, Major Projects Canberra
Sally Stannard, Director General, Department of Transport and Main Roads, Queensland
Tom Gellibrand, CEO, Infrastructure NSW
9:45am
The knockout
A public declaration to change the game.
Bede Noonan, CEO, Acconia
Stephanie Graham, Managing Director, Construction, Lendlease
John Flecker, Global CEO, Multiplex
10:00am
Questions without notice
Interactive
10:10am
Making construction an Olympic team sport
The race to 2032 is on! Building an Olympic legacy will take a championship team. Hear winning insights on what it takes to build a top-tier team for a world-class Olympic legacy.
10:30am – Morning tea
Session 2: Offside and under pressure – can we turn the game around?
11:15am
Ted Lasso half time team talk
We’re bringing in the perfect person to rally the team and break down the barriers. The construction team will come down from the sidelines to speak their truth.
We’ll hear from contractors: “Why’s the grind so tough?” Designers on the wing, “what’s your take?” Everyone’s got a place to play on this court. Expect a fun twist as we mix in a bit of Ted Lasso flair as our MC becomes the coach, tracksuit and moustache included. Can he get the team firing on all cylinders?
Belinda Virant, Managing Director, Arcadis
Cathy Hayes, Head of Client Strategy NSW & ACT, CPB Contractors
Marco Fontana, Managing Director, Ghella
Frankie Carroll, CEO, Suburban Rail Loop
11:45am
Back by popular demand – 90 second industry pitches
Industry leaders will share their thoughts on the biggest challenges facing the industry. They’ve got just 90 seconds to make their point!
Denita Wawn, CEO, Master Builders Australia
Michael Kilgariff, CEO, Cement Concrete and Aggregates Australia
Jocelyn Martin, Managing Director, Housing Industry Association
Nicholas Proud, CEO (National), Civil Contractors Federation
Romilly Madew, CEO, Engineers Australia
Jonathan Cartledge, CEO, Consult Australia
11:55am
Construction family feud
Inspired by the popular game show, this fast-paced session challenges stakeholder groups to guess the most common answers to industry-related questions. How can we move forward if we don’t understand what everyone wants?
Family 1 – The Contractors
Mario Russo, Managing Director – Australia, McConnell Dowell
Family 2 – Suppliers
Family 3 – Clients
Jackie Aggett, Executive Commercial and Procurement Director, Transgrid
Amanda Yates, CEO, SunCentral
Family 4 – Designers
Todd Battley, Australian Chief Executive, Aurecon
Sam McWilliam, Managing Director of Transport, WSP
Mark McManamny, CEO, ANZ AECOM
12:40pm
Aligning interests – making construction a team sport
Audience participation session with commentators.
Mark Barker, CEO, BESIX Watpac
Camilla Drover, Deputy Secretary, Transport for NSW
12:50pm
Speed bargaining: One year on in IR
Let’s try to align interests in real time with contractors and unions.
Michael Degotardi, Chief Operating Officer, UGL
Alanna Herbst, Chief People & Communications Officer, Seymour Whyte
Michael Wright, National Secretary, Electrical Trades Union of Australia
1:15pm – Lunch
Session 3: Eye on the productivity prize
2:00pm
The productivity game
Improving productivity is vital for a more affluent life for Australians in the coming years. At the moment, it is languishing. Improving national productivity is at the heart of the work this speaker undertakes …
2:20pm
Leaders’ exchange: Game Plan
Last night, industry leaders discussed the productivity prize. Can they turn those discussions into real wins for the industry?
2:45pm
Government to take a position
How do procurement, regulation and policy help build a more collaborative and productive industry?
Natalie Ambroso, Defence Leader Vic/Tas, Technical Director – Building Engineering, GHD
3:05pm
Team draft: Up-and-comers’ views on the game plan
Our next-gen players (development players) share their unfiltered thoughts on the plan outlined by the team veterans.
Natalie Ambroso, Defence Leader Vic/Tas, Technical Director – Building Engineering, GHD
Hannah Krzanic, Project Coordinator, Built
3.20pm
Final whistle – Looking back, moving forward
It’s the final whistle but the game isn’t over yet! We’ll take a quick lap around the track to reflect on how far we’ve come and set our sights on the next big plays. Get ready for a wrap-up and a game plan for the road ahead.
Meg Redwin, Vice President, Australian Constructors Association
Jason Spears, Vice President, Australian Constructors Association
