What were the key ideas or initiatives of your winning submission?
Our vision “to be a world leader in the provision of professional services to improve the physical and social environment” means that there are many opportunities in terms of new regions, markets and services that we could diversify into to complement our existing capabilities. To choose between these many opportunities, I established a framework for narrowing the options by first looking at geographical regions and then disciplines areas. To me, increasing our market share in Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom makes the most sense before pursuing new continents/regions. Focusing on Australia, I then used statistical data to understand which states and which market sectors have the largest expenditure on engineering services. My final conclusion – to seek greater exposure to the resources sector and to pursue work in the power generation and transmission sector – was a result of this structured process.

What does winning the scholarship mean for you?
A fantastic opportunity to undertake training in business management, an area that can sometimes come second to technical courses when planning professional development.

How have you benefited professionally from receiving this accolade?
I’m yet to undertake the FIDIC training but I expect that it will be directly relevant to my current role in terms of the work Management Services undertake and for me to make a greater contribution to the operation of our business unit.

What did you receive?
Funding to participate in the FIDIC Young Professionals Management Training Program and to attend the annual international FIDIC conference in Tunis in September 2011.