Buckley takes helm

BOUTIQUE engineering firm Premise has attracted the services of a former managing director of a big ASXlisted professional services firm.

Former Cardno Ltd CEO Andrew Buckley has been appointed chairman of Premise, formed last year after the merger of Brisbane- based O2 Group and regional Queensland firm UDP Group.

After 17 years in charge of one of the nation’s largest engineering firms, Mr Buckley said the challenge of embarking on a period of growth in a smaller boutique firm was too good to turn down.

“There is no doubt there will always be a role for engineering firms of all sizes,” Mr Buckley said. “However, the sweet spot held by a firm that has capability across all disciplines but still keeps its shareholders and directors hands on, hasn’t yet been mastered. I looked at Premise and saw a firm with a great Queensland geographic spread, depth in the services offered to its customers, and a culture where the client comes first. I believe that Premise is getting close to that sweet spot. I hope I can bring a bit of extra direction and some growth experience to ensure that, as the group grows, the qualities that make it unique stay in place.”

CEO David Pollock said the company continued to grow when others in Queensland had contracted.

“The capabilities we have acquired have taken our firm to the next level and we see Mr Buckley’s reputation in the market adding further weight to this push,” Mr Pollock said.

“We have a simple mandate to provide a level of professionalism, scale and commitment across the regions, while still fostering an environment that is small enough where the client and the outcome still means everything to us.”

Premise provides a broad range of engineering, environmental, water and agricultural consulting services from its offices in Brisbane, Toowoomba, Sunshine Coast, Mackay, Townsville, Port Moresby and Vietnam.