People Moves: McLean retires, Ardagh back

Master Builders Association WA executive director Michael McLean has announced plans to retire at the end of this year while former Perth business director Suzanne Ardagh has been appointed to lead Lester Blades’ board advisory service.

After 22 years at the helm of the state’s peak building and construction industry association Mr Mclean will step down from his role in December.

The pending retirement was the culmination of a three-year exit strategy which the MBA board have been aware of.

Mr McLean started his career with the MBA in August 1983 as its industrial relations manager before taking up the role of executive director in 1996 when predecessor, the late Harvey McLeod, retired.

 “It was time to hand over the baton to someone younger with new ideas to take Master Builders to the next level,” Mr McLean said.

“It has been an absolute privilege to have served my association for as long as I have because I have enjoyed every moment dealing with many different issues, lots of capable people and learnt so much about what makes the building and construction industry tick.

“I am leaving on my own terms, in good health and hope to stay involved with Master Builders in a lesser capacity after the appointment of my successor, subject to the board’s final approval.”

MBA WA president Robert Spadaccini thanked Mr McLean for his contribution to the association over the past 35 years and said the process of recruiting a new executive director had commenced.

“With so many challenging policy and structural issues confronting our industry, our board is looking for a very competent and experienced person to lead our association,” he said.

Known for her work with the Australian Institute of Company Directors as WA state manager and then as head of international, Ms Ardagh has joined executive search firm Lester Blades.

Ms Ardagh has held previous positions with RMIT Vietnam, Wesfarmers and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and has served on international and national boards for commerce, international development and fundraising.

Ms Ardagh currently holds a number of board and committee positions in the education, health and arts sectors in WA.

“I am excited about the opportunity with the board advisory service and look forward to bringing a contemporary and energetic approach to board governance and director appointments locally,” she said.

Lester Blades founding partner Geoff Blades said the company had seen a lot of movement in the Perth director market in recent years and that Ms Ardagh brought extensive and diverse networks to the role, which would benefit the business.