Our weekly appointments wrap includes Brian Kerman, Chris Kerman, Mark Nagle, Peter Kerman, Andrew Gerrard, Luke McShane, Jenny Thornton, Noel Pearson, Fiona Hick and John Galvin.
Kerman Contracting has undergone several executive shifts, including the resignation of founder and chairman Brian Kerman after 43 years leading the company. Chris Kerman, who has worked at the Applecross-based contracting business for 35 years, has stepped up to become the new chairman, initially in an executive capacity. At the same time, Mark Nagle has accepted the position as managing director, supported by his 12 years of knowledge from working at Kerman Contracting. Peter Kerman has shifted into a non-executive director, resulting in Andrew Gerrard taking up Peter’s construction and project management roles. Mr Gerrard has worked at Kerman Contracting for more than two decades.
National law firm Hamilton Locke has appointed finance and banking lawyer Luke McShane to its Perth office, joining the finance division. Mr McShane has experience assisting clients with financing projects in mining, resources and infrastructure, both in Australia and internationally. Prior to joining Hamilton Locke, Mr McShane worked at national firm Gilbert + Tobin. He was one of the directors to transition to the company after it acquired his former employee Wright Legal in February. Mr McShane had worked at Wright Legal since 2016.
Commercial lawyer Jenny Thornton has returned to global law firm Clyde & Co as managing partner at its Perth office. Ms Thornton formerly served as one of the company’s founding partners when it launched in the Australian market in 2012 and remained with the company for five years until 2017. She moved on to Quayside Chambers to serve as a barrister for seven years. Ms Thornton has now returned to Clyde & Co to manage the firm’s growth across a variety of sectors including insurance, aviation, energy and construction. Previously, Ms Thornton served stints as a partner at Allens and Freehills.
Fortescue has appointed Indigenous leader, lawyer and activist Noel Pearson to its board as non-executive director. Mr Pearson founded the Indigenous think tank Cape York Partnership and the Cape York Land Council in Queensland. He also established not-for-profit organisation Good to Great Schools Australia, focused on raising education outcomes for Australian students.
Infrastructure WA has appointed Evolution Mining non-executive director Fiona Hick and Clough chief bidding, engineering and concessions officer John Galvin to its board until December 2026. Ms Hick has nearly three decades’ minerals and energy experience, including senior roles at Rio Tinto and Woodside Energy. Ms Hick worked as Fortescue Metals chief executive for just six months until August 2023 after 22 years at Woodside. Ms Hick currently serves as a member of the University of Western Australia’s Strategic Resources Committee, an associate fellow of the Australian Institute of Management, and a fellow of the Institute of Engineers. Mr Galvin joined Clough in 2018 and has continued on with the engineering firm following its acquisition by Webuild in February 2023, taking up the position as chief bidding, engineering and concessions officer. Mr Galvin’s career in construction, engineering, consulting and manufacturing spans more than 35 years, including 11 years spent at Georgiou Group.
