Acting Chairman since March 2023, Independent Non-executive Director since February 2022
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.
Mr Menhinnitt held several senior roles over a 30-year career with Lendlease, including as Chief Executive Officer of Lendlease Australia. Mr Menhinnitt is currently a Non-executive Director of The GPT Group, a Non-executive Director of Sunshine Coast Airport Pty Ltd, 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. He is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia.
Mr Menhinnitt lives on the Sunshine Coast.
Peter Tompkins was appointed Downer Group Chief Executive Officer on 27 February 2023.
Previously, Peter held the position of Group Chief Operating Officer commencing June 2021.
He was formerly CEO and Managing Director of Spotless; a role he held since October 2018.
Peter joined Downer in 2008 and was appointed General Counsel in 2010. He is a highly valued member of Downer’s Executive Committee, which consists of the most senior executives from across the Group.
Peter has been a key member of Downer’s Tenders and Contracts Committee, which is central to Downer’s bid and risk management, and has been actively engaged in Downer’s Public Private Partnerships since 2008.
Peter has represented Downer on numerous Boards including Keolis Downer, Evolution Rail and Reliance Rail.
He has qualifications in law and commerce from Deakin University.
Independent Non-executive Director since September 2016
Ms Handicott is a former corporate lawyer with over 30 years’ experience in mergers and acquisitions, capital markets and corporate governance. She was a partner of national law firm Corrs Chambers Westgarth for 22 years, serving as a member of its National Board for seven years including four years as National Chairman. She also has extensive experience in governance of local and state government organisations. Ms Handicott is currently the Chairman of listed company PWR Holdings Limited and of Peak Services Holdings Pty Ltd, which is the subsidiary of the Local Government Association of Queensland that is responsible for its commercial operations.
Ms Handicott is also State President of the Queensland Division of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Ms Handicott is a former Director of CS Energy Limited, a former member of the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Council, the Takeovers Panel and Corporations and Markets Advisory Committee and a former Associate Member of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
A Senior Fellow of FINSIA, Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Member of Chief Executive Women, Ms Handicott holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) degree from the Queensland University of Technology. Ms Handicott lives in Brisbane.
Independent Non-executive Director since June 2018
Ms Hollows has 25 years’ experience in the resources sector in a number of senior managerial roles across both the public and private sectors, including in mining, utilities and rail. Her experience spans operational management, accounting and finance, mergers and acquisitions, capital management and corporate governance. Ms Hollows is the Non-executive Chair of Jameson Resources Limited, and a Non-executive Director of Qube Holdings Limited and Chief Executive Women.
She was formerly the Chief Executive Officer of SunWater Limited, a Queensland Government owned corporation, the Chief Financial Officer and subsequently Chief Executive Officer of Macarthur Coal Limited and Managing Director of AMCI Australia and South East Asia.
A Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Member of Chief Executive Women and the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ms Hollows holds a Bachelor of Business – Accounting and a Graduate Diploma in Advanced Accounting (Distinction) from the Queensland University of Technology and is a Graduate of Harvard Business School’s Program for Management Development. Ms Hollows lives in Brisbane.
Independent Non-executive Director since April 2022
Dr Howse has extensive senior executive and non-executive experience in the infrastructure, energy and resources, construction, data centres, telecommunication and property sectors. Dr Howse held several senior roles with CIMIC, including Chief Strategy Officer. Dr Howse is currently a Non-executive Director of Macquarie Telecom Group and Sydney Desalination Plant.
She was formerly the Chairman of the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute, and previously served on the boards of Devine Group, Design Studio Group, Ventia, Nextgen Holdings and Manila North Tollroads Corporation. Dr Howse 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.
She is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Dr Howse lives in Sydney.
Independent Non-executive Director since May 2019
Mr Watson has extensive experience in the construction and engineering sectors in senior executive and governance roles, including in the industrial, transport, defence, health, justice and utilities sectors. He was Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Transfield Services Limited (now known as Broadspectrum which is owned by Ventia) for ten years. During this period, he led the business through a successful transition, cultivating a sustainable and successful public company. He also has considerable experience in various Non-executive Director roles. Mr Watson is currently the Non-executive Chairman of BG&E Group Limited and a Consultant of Stephenson Mansell Group where he provides coaching and mentoring to senior executives.
Mr Watson is a former Chairman of LogiCamms Limited (now known as Verbrec), Watpac Limited, Regional Rail Link Authority in Victoria and AssetCo Management which managed PPP assets, a former Director of the Major Transport Infrastructure Board in Victoria, Yarra Trams and Save the Children Australia and was a Board member of Infrastructure Australia and independent Chair of Ross River Solar Farm. A Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering and member of the Institute of Engineers Australia and Australian Institute of Company Directors, Mr Watson holds a Diploma of Civil Engineering from the Caulfield Institute of Technology and is a Graduate of the Wharton Advanced Management Program of the University of Pennsylvania.
Mr Watson lives on the Sunshine Coast.
