Board structure

We understand the value of diversity on our Board and this is taken into consideration during the appointment process. The charts below illustrate the balance achieved with the current Board composition.

On 1 September 2021, Mark Chellew joined the Downer Board as Non-executive Director and Chairman-elect. On 30 September 2021, Mike Harding retired from the Downer Board, at which time Mr Chellew became Chairman.

Mr Chellew is an experienced Chief Executive Officer and Non-executive Director, including in the industrial, building materials and transport sectors. He is currently the Chairman of Cleanaway Waste Management Limited and a Non-executive Director of Ampol Limited. Mr Chellew holds a Bachelor of Science (Ceramic Engineering) from the University of New South Wales, a Master of Engineering (Mechanical) from the University of Wollongong and a Graduate Diploma of Management from the University of New South Wales.

On 1 March 2022, two new Non-executive Directors, Mark Binns and Mark Menhinnitt, joined the Downer Board.

Mr Binns is an experienced senior executive and Non-executive Director with extensive experience in New Zealand in the energy, construction and building materials sectors where he has been closely involved in many of New Zealand’s largest infrastructure projects. Mr Binns is currently Chairman of Crown Infrastructure Partners and Hynds Limited and a Non-executive Director of Auckland International Airport and several private companies. Mr Binns holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Auckland.

Mr Menhinnitt is an experienced senior executive with extensive domestic and international experience in large infrastructure development and urban regeneration, investment management, construction, asset services, operations and maintenance. He is currently a Non-executive Director of The GPT Group, a member of the Australian War Memorial Development Committee and Chairman of Fluent Property Pty Ltd. Mr Menhinnitt holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) and Master of Business (Applied Finance), both from the Queensland University of Technology.

On 1 April 2022, Adelle Howse joined the Downer Board as Non-executive Director. Dr Howse has extensive senior executive and Non-executive Director experience in the infrastructure, energy and resources, construction, data centres, telecommunications and property sectors. Dr Howse is currently a Non-executive Director of Macquarie Telecom Group, Sydney Desalination Plant and is Chairman of the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute. She holds a Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Philosophy (Mathematics) from the University of Queensland, an executive MBA from IMD, Switzerland, and a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance and Investment.

On 30 June 2022, Phil Garling retired as a Non-executive Director. Mr Garling joined the Downer Board in November 2011 and has provided invaluable leadership through his service on the Audit and Risk Committee, Zero Harm Committee, Remuneration Committee and Tender Risk Evaluation Committee during his tenure.

Back to Governance