Leadership

Our Leadership Team

With offices in Melbourne and Sydney, our multidisciplinary Australian team incorporates a huge range of specialist engineering and sustainability expertise across a diverse range of industry sectors. Our national reach has allowed us to be trusted to assist our clients in delivering some of Australia’s most prestigious developments throughout many industry sectors including Health, Commercial, Residential, Justice, Telecommunications, Sports and Recreation, Education, Retail, Aged Care, Defence, Leisure and Tourism, Industrial and Advisory.

Phillip Barnes

Philip Barnes
Joint Managing
Director

Philip began his career in the Melbourne office of Gutteridge Haskins & Davey.

He then joined Bates Smart McCutcheon, gaining wide exposure to many different facets of building services design and contract administration.

Between 1988 and 1991, Philip travelled overseas and worked with the London based company of Building Design Partnership and was involved in the design and contract administration for major institutional projects.

On his return to Australia, he joined Lincolne Scott, further increasing his knowledge in the hospital area before joining AHW at the beginning of 1993.

Philip became an Associate in 1995, an Associate Director in 1997 and Director in 2000. In November 2006 the business of AHW Consulting Engineers (Vic) Pty Ltd was sold to Waterman AHW (Vic) Pty Ltd. In 2021 the merger of both Australian entities formed Waterman Group (AUS) Pty Ltd, Philip continues to hold the position of a Joint Managing Director today.

Philip has developed particular expertise in health, laboratory, and educational projects and has recently been involved in many large health projects including the New Royal Children’s Hospital, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Warrnambool Hospital and the Master Planning of the New Eye & Ear Hospital. Philip places a high priority on the integration and co-ordination of engineering services which derives from his extensive involvement in design and documentation within multidisciplinary companies.

Qualifications & Affiliations
COT Mechanical Engineering
Postgraduate Diploma Air
Conditioning and Refrigeration
Postgraduate Diploma Building
Registered Professional Engineer

Brian Mason

Brian Mason
Joint Managing
Director

Brian joined AHW in 2002 after graduating as a Mechanical Engineer,

and began his career in the design and documentation of commercial and industrial buildings. He became an Associate in 2006 and in 2008 he became an Associate Director.

In November 2006 the business of AHW Consulting Engineers (Vic) Pty Ltd was sold to Waterman AHW (Vic) Pty Ltd. Brian continued to hold the position of Associate Director until October 2009 when Brian was appointed the position of Director .

Brian has experience in the design, documentation and administration of mechanical services across various sectors including retail, industrial, residential, commercial, sports & recreation, aged care and education. Brian has been heavily involved in on-site co-ordination and commissioning activities for a number of large projects including Federation Square.

Brian is responsible for the mechanical services discipline and is also responsible for the leadership of the ESD group. He has experience in the design of low energy building services systems and Environmentally Sustainable Developments. Experience in this area includes CFD, daylight, energy and thermal modelling. Brian has been involved in the successful delivery of Green
Star and Nabers rated developments.

In 2021 Brian became the Joint Managing Director of the Waterman Group (AUS) Pty Ltd. Brian is registered in the area of Mechanical Services and is a Green Star Accredited Professional.

Qualifications & Affiliations

Bachelor of Engineering, Mechanical and Computing (Hons)
Registered Prosessional Engineer (Vic, NT and Tas)
Green Star Accredited Professional

Richard Nicoliello

Richard Nicoliello
Director

Richard has been responsible for design, documentation and

management for all types of projects.

He has over 22 years’ experience in Electrical, Communications and Security Engineering fields, both from a technical and management point of view. He has wide experience in commercial, aged care, educational, residential and fitout/rollout projects.

Richard is able to represent the company at contractor, consultant and client level. Richard is also accustomed to working closely with clients to prepare design briefs tailored to their specific requirements. He also has experience in Expert Witness cases in variation claims.

Since becoming a Director in 2010 Richard has been responsible of projects and in design management. He maintains overall responsibility of the operations of the Sydney office, including project deliveries, company and project resourcing, office administration and staffing. In 2021 the merger of both Australian entities formed Waterman Group (AUS) Pty Ltd, Richard
continues to hold the position of Board Director.

Qualifications & Affiliations
Bachelor of Technology
Associate Diploma of Engineering (Electrical)
Certificate IV Security & Risk Management
Security Consultant Licence
Member, Institute of Engineers Australia (MIE Aust)

Hugh Van Essen
Technical Director
Electrical Services

Hugh commenced his career in 1979, working as a site engineer

and eventually as a site manager for a large international mechanical and electrical contractor.

Between 1984 and 1997, Hugh held a number of positions with Lincolne Scott Australia and progressed to an Associate position. The experience gained during these years centred on the development of electrical, lighting, and communication design skills.

Hugh joined AHW in mid-1997 and became an Associate Director in 2000. In 2003, Hugh was appointed Director of AHW.
Hugh has been the main consultant for our major multi-site rollouts for clients, such as Skilled, Spotlight and NAB.

Hugh’s special field of competency is the project management of large and technically complex projects involving the integration of a variety of specialist service providers. He has acted as a team leader on a number of landmark projects. Some of these projects have been recognised by receiving awards for technical excellence in the fields of energy efficiency and lighting design.

Hugh’s expertise extends to a detailed knowledge of not only his core electrical experience, but also other disciplines associated with the building services industry.

Qualifications & Affiliations
Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical), University of Melbourne
Certificate of Illuminating Engineers, RMIT
Member, Institute of Engineers Australia
Member, Illuminating Engineering Society of Australia
Registered Professional Engineer

Adam Tong
Associate Director
Mechanical

Adam is a Associate Director mechanical engineer with 27 years’

experience in Air Conditioning and Ventilation, Fire Protection, Plumbing and Drainage, and Medical Gas Services systems for a broad range of clients in Australia, New Zealand and abroad.

Adam is skilled in multidiscipline design management, documentation, co-ordination, project management and construction monitoring to deliver complete building services design packages. Adam also has extensive experience in facilitating client consultation for their operational perspective as well as for their technical needs.

Adam has worked both as consultant and contractor hence has good knowledge of theoretical and practical constructability of building services systems.

Adam’s key attributes are a strong technical and site based background with excellent multidisciplinary knowledge, coupled with a commitment to client focus and satisfaction.
Adam is a certified Accredited Professional for both New Zealand Green
Building Council and Australia Green Building Council.

Qualifications & Affiliations
BE (Mechanical), University of Canterbury, NZ
Green Star NZ Accredited Professional,
Green Star AU Accredited Professional
Approved MTM/RIW Building Services Designer
Project Management Institute (PMI)
Registered Professional Engineer

Mahen Perera
Associate Director
Fire Protection
Services

With over 30 years’ experience in the design and supervision of building services projects,

Mahen joined Waterman as Associate Director in 2020.

Prior to this he was the Industry Director, Buildings Group with Kellogg Brown Root (KBR). As one of a small number of engineers who are qualified in both fire protection and fire engineering, Mahen has generated quality, cost effective performance-based engineering solutions for many projects where prescriptive building regulations have not been appropriate for the project.

Mahen’s experience in business development adds tremendous value in his approach to team management, especially developing and maintaining client relationships as well as identifying opportunities for growth.

His extensive experience ranges from high-rise commercial buildings, educational facilities, data facilities, residential buildings, aviation facilities, hospitals, shopping centres, institutional facilities, road and rail tunnels, industrial and marine projects and sewerage treatment facilities.

Qualifications & Affiliations
Graduate Diploma in Building Fire Safety and Risk Engineering, Victoria University of Technology, 1993
Bachelor of Engineering (Building), Victoria University of Technology, 1986
Member, Institution of Engineers Australia
Member, Australian Institute of Builders
Member, Institute of Fire Safety
Registered Professional Engineer

Nick Spanu
Associate Director
Hydraulic & Fire
Engineer

Nick has more than 30 years of experience as a Hydraulic and

Fire Services Engineer in the Building Services Industry.

During this time he has been responsible for the design of hydraulic, fire and sprinkler services including liaison with contractors and authorities, supervision and contract administration of installations.

Nick joined Waterman AHW in 2019 as an Associate Director and has immediately undertaken numerous projects within the company.

Nick’s high level of experience covers a wide range of projects across the retail, commercial, industrial, justice, residential and healthcare sectors, these projects include shopping centres, apartments, office buildings, aged care & youth centres, sports centres and educational facilities.

Nick has been responsible for marketing and acquiring new clients, sourcing new projects, mentoring & educating graduate engineers and designers, preparing specifications and budgets, review of tender documentation, contract administration and consultancy agreements, management and the co-ordination of all services.

Qualifications & Affiliations
Pipeline Design Certificate
Management Development Certificate
Building Detail Drafting Certificate
Fellow Member – Association of Hydraulic Services Consultants Australia (AHSCA)

Moses Lum
Associate Director
Electrical Services

Moses began his career in 2003 working as a graduate electrical engineer

for the power authority in Fiji undertaking design work on overhead high and low voltage power systems in the distribution sector.

Between 2006-2014, Moses worked as a building services electrical engineer in Fiji gaining experience in the design and construction of a variety of projects ranging from commercial office, retail to high-rise apartment buildings and hotel projects.

Since 2014, Moses relocated to Australia and has had the opportunity to work as a building services consulting engineer on similar projects including educational, industrial, retail shopping centres and public housing, public assembly buildings predominantly in Victoria with a select number of projects completed in New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland.

Moses joined Waterman Group to further strengthen our service offering. He places a high priority on coordination of engineering disciplines, and he believes people are what makes work an exciting place to be.

Qualifications & Affiliations
Bachelor of Engineering, Electrical (Honours), University of Canterbury, NZ
Registered Professional Engineer
Registered Professional Engineer, Queensland (RPEQ)
National Engineering Register, Engineers Australia

David Mathers
Associate Director
Mechanical Services

David joined Waterman in 2014 after graduating as a Mechanical Engineer from Monash University.

He began his career in the design and documentation of healthcare and residential buildings and has more recently been involved in the delivery of commercial, education, sports, aquatic and retail projects.

David was appointed as an Associate in 2019. David has experience in the design and documentation of mechanical services across various sectors, including commercial, education, residential and sports. David’s experience encompasses all aspects of project delivery, including the preparation of preliminary estimates, schematic design, design development, documentation, and administration.

Qualifications & Affiliations
Bachelor of Engineering (Hons Mechanical), Monash University
Member, The Institution of Engineers, Australia
Registered Professional Engineer
Member, The Australian Institution of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and
Heating (AIRAH)

Manus Freeman
Associate Mechanical Services & QA

Manus Freeman joined the Melbourne Waterman team in 2018.

Manus is an experienced Mechanical HVAC Engineer with experience in the management of engineering projects, design and on site supervision.

An experienced team leader who supports the team to provide effective project solutions, Manus communicates efficiently across all levels and enjoys the challenge of delivering successful projects.

Manus has more than 30 years experience in the design, documentation and contract administration phases of large complex mechanical services projects.

Manus has taken the role of project leader and been responsible for carrying out the design and management of mechanical services for laboratories, art galleries and theatres, amongst other projects.

Qualifications & Affiliations
Bachelor of Science (Hons) Loughborough University (UK)
Chartered Engineer (Engineering Council UK)
Member of Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers

Marcus Chuah
Associate Electrical,
Communications
& Security

Marcus commenced his career as a graduate engineer

with one of the top tier consulting firms in Australia in 2000. He began his career in design and documentation of electrical services for commercial tenancy buildings.

Marcus has experience in the design, documentation and administration, tender analysis and construction administration of electrical services across various sectors.

Marcus specialties include site infrastructure reticulation, low voltage power distribution, structured communications cabling system, integrated building management system design, standby power and renewable energy systems.

In 2022 Marcus became an Associate and plays an intergral part of the Waterman team.

Qualifications & Affiliations
Bachelor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Adelaide, South Australia

Michael Pan
Associate Hydraulic
Services

Michael Pan has 10 years overseas building services experience

in Singapore and Malaysia, mainly in the design and documentation of mechanical and hydraulic services. In 2002, Michael started working as Senior Hydraulics Designer with a locally hydraulic consultancy firm. Since then, Michael has gained 17 years experience working as a between as and Senior Hydraulic Engineer in Australia.

In total, Michael has 27 years experience both overseas and local in the building services industry.

Michael has developed extensive experience in the design of the hydraulic services from concept through to detailed design documentation and contract administration. Michael’s expertise in hydraulic services includes multi-storey design of sanitary systems, trade waste, sewerage system design, stormwater drainage, backflow protection of cold water and hot water supply, domestic hot and cold water service.

Qualifications & Affiliations
Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical)
Member of Institution of Engineers Australia – MIE
Registered Professional Engineer

Neil Muthukuda
Associate Electrical
Services

Neil has over 20 years’ experience in the electrical industry.

He is responsible for preparing the Design and Documentation for Electrical, Security and Communication Services. He has experience in NBN optical fibre aerial network, Telecommunication, Education, Commercial, Fitouts and Hotel Sectors. His duties include site surveying, preparing master plans and reports, preparing electrical and communication services drawings, attending meetings with architects, project managers, builders and tradesman, site inspections, coordination of services with engineers from other disciplines, contract admin and site supervision.

Neil also is involved with Job Management of multidisciplinary projects within the office.

Qualifications & Affiliations
Bachelor of Electrical Engineering
Building Service Provider, Tasmania
Building Practitioners Board, Victoria
RPEQ, CPEng, MIE Aust, NER

Ryan Porker
Associate Director Mechanical Services

Ryan commenced his career as a graduate engineer with Waterman AHW in 2009.

He has undertaken various training courses over the past few years and has worked as an engineer on diverse and complex projects. Ryan was appointed an Associate in 2017.

Ryan has been involved in all aspects of project delivery, including preparation of preliminary estimates, schematic design, design development, documentation, tender analysis and construction administration for both new and refurbished projects.

He has experience in design and documentation of mechanical services for many building sectors which include sports and
aquatic, education, residential, offices, retail and health care.

Qualifications & Affiliations
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering
Registered Professional Engineer

Yu Sheng Lim
Associate Electrical
Services

Yu Sheng has over 10 years’ experience in the building services industry,

both as a supporting member of the design team as well as lead designer. Yu Sheng’s experience includes projects in the education, commercial, residential and retail sectors. He provides a full suite of engineering and consulting services.

Apart from Yu Sheng’s responsibilities of the design documentation of Electrical Services, he is also involved in Job Management of most multidisciplinary projects and monitoring of the graduate staff within the office.

Qualifications & Affiliations
Bachelor of Electrical Engineering
Member, Institute of Engineers Australia (MIEAust)

Our Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors ….

Phillip Barnes

Philip Barnes
Joint Managing
Director

Philip began his career in the Melbourne office of Gutteridge Haskins & Davey.

He then joined Bates Smart McCutcheon, gaining wide exposure to many different facets of building services design and contract administration.

Between 1988 and 1991, Philip travelled overseas and worked with the London based company of Building Design Partnership and was involved in the design and contract administration for major institutional projects.

On his return to Australia, he joined Lincolne Scott, further increasing his knowledge in the hospital area before joining AHW at the beginning of 1993.

Philip became an Associate in 1995, an Associate Director in 1997 and Director in 2000. In November 2006 the business of AHW Consulting Engineers (Vic) Pty Ltd was sold to Waterman AHW (Vic) Pty Ltd. In 2021 the merger of both Australian entities formed Waterman Group (AUS) Pty Ltd, Philip continues to hold the position of a Joint Managing Director today.

Philip has developed particular expertise in health, laboratory, and educational projects and has recently been involved in many large health projects including the New Royal Children’s Hospital, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Warrnambool Hospital and the Master Planning of the New Eye & Ear Hospital. Philip places a high priority on the integration and co-ordination of engineering services which derives from his extensive involvement in design and documentation within multidisciplinary companies.

Qualifications & Affiliations
COT Mechanical Engineering
Postgraduate Diploma Air
Conditioning and Refrigeration
Postgraduate Diploma Building
Registered Professional Engineer

Brian Mason

Brian Mason
Joint Managing
Director

Brian joined AHW in 2002 after graduating as a Mechanical Engineer,

and began his career in the design and documentation of commercial and industrial buildings. He became an Associate in 2006 and in 2008 he became an Associate Director.

In November 2006 the business of AHW Consulting Engineers (Vic) Pty Ltd was sold to Waterman AHW (Vic) Pty Ltd. Brian continued to hold the position of Associate Director until October 2009 when Brian was appointed the position of Director .

Brian has experience in the design, documentation and administration of mechanical services across various sectors including retail, industrial, residential, commercial, sports & recreation, aged care and education. Brian has been heavily involved in on-site co-ordination and commissioning activities for a number of large projects including Federation Square.

Brian is responsible for the mechanical services discipline and is also responsible for the leadership of the ESD group. He has experience in the design of low energy building services systems and Environmentally Sustainable Developments. Experience in this area includes CFD, daylight, energy and thermal modelling. Brian has been involved in the successful delivery of Green
Star and Nabers rated developments.

In 2021 Brian became the Joint Managing Director of the Waterman Group (AUS) Pty Ltd. Brian is registered in the area of Mechanical Services and is a Green Star Accredited Professional.

Qualifications & Affiliations

Bachelor of Engineering, Mechanical and Computing (Hons)
Registered Prosessional Engineer (Vic, NT and Tas)
Green Star Accredited Professional

Richard Nicoliello

Richard Nicoliello
Director

Richard has been responsible for design, documentation and

management for all types of projects.

He has over 22 years’ experience in Electrical, Communications and Security Engineering fields, both from a technical and management point of view. He has wide experience in commercial, aged care, educational, residential and fitout/rollout projects.

Richard is able to represent the company at contractor, consultant and client level. Richard is also accustomed to working closely with clients to prepare design briefs tailored to their specific requirements. He also has experience in Expert Witness cases in variation claims.

Since becoming a Director in 2010 Richard has been responsible of projects and in design management. He maintains overall responsibility of the operations of the Sydney office, including project deliveries, company and project resourcing, office administration and staffing. In 2021 the merger of both Australian entities formed Waterman Group (AUS) Pty Ltd, Richard
continues to hold the position of Board Director.

Qualifications & Affiliations
Bachelor of Technology
Associate Diploma of Engineering (Electrical)
Certificate IV Security & Risk Management
Security Consultant Licence
Member, Institute of Engineers Australia (MIE Aust)

Nick Taylor
Chief Executive
Officer

Nick is a Chartered Engineer, a Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers and a Graduate of INSEAD’s Advanced Management Programme. Nick was appointed Deputy Chairman of the ACE (Association for Consultancy and Engineering) and Chairman of its Property Group.On leaving Oxford University Nick Taylor joined Taylor Woodrow Construction Limited as a Site Engineer responsible for the control of a large section of the Heysham Nuclear Power Station project in Lancashire.

In 1982 Nick joined Waterman Partnership and following initial experience in the civils division, structurally designed numerous buildings from the commercial, residential, leisure and retail sectors. Nick became a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers in 1986 and a year later was appointed as an Associate Director of Waterman Partnership. In 1994 he went on to be appointed as Director of Waterman Partnership and in 2000 became Joint Managing Director. He joined the plc Board of Waterman Group in 2003 and became the Chairman of Waterman Structures two years later. Nick was appointed Chief Executive of Waterman Group in June 2007.
In January 2016, Nick was appointed Deputy Chairman of the ACE (Association for Consultancy and Engineering) and Chairman of its Property Group.

Craig Beresford
Executive Director

As with all of Waterman senior management Craig’s career began from a solid background in engineering and design. His ambition and enthusiasm for achieving the very best solutions to deliver clients’ aspirations…is now evident in his business leadership and approach at Waterman. As a main Board Director and Chief Operating Officer of Property, with a specialism in structural engineering, Craig has responsibility for the delivery of Waterman’s property related projects.

Alex Steele
Chief Financial
Director

Alex Steele trained as a chartered accountant with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) and qualified in 1997. Alex was seconded to PWC in Sydney for three years, and returned as a senior manager to the London office specialising in the audits of mid tier Companies.

During her time at PWC she also advised on several buyside due diligences.

Alex joined Waterman in March 2008 as Group Divisional Director of Finance, where apart from a Group role she has been focusing on the international operations.

On 19th February 2010 Alex joined the board as Finance Director.

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