Order of Australia recipient replaces Benson after six-month interim stint
The Australian Logistics Council (ALC) has announced Kirk Coningham OAM as its new permanent CEO.
He takes over from Lachlan Benson, who was the organisation’s interim CEO since July 2018 following the departure of Michael Kilgariff to Roads Australia.
Coningham was most recently the director of the Urban Development Institute of Australia and before that headed the Master Builders Association of the ACT.
According to the ALC, he has also occupied senior positions with Leighton Holdings, the Australian Medical Association and the Murray Darling Basin Commission, has served as a diplomat, been a captain in the Australian Army, held senior media roles within government and has worked as a journalist. Kirk received a Medal of the Order of Australia for his work with the crisis taskforce following the Bali bombings in October 2002.
Read the ALC’s call to transport ministers to speed up reforms, here
He was welcomed by the organisation’s board in a statement from chair Philip Davies.
“The ALC Board is delighted that Kirk has taken up this key leadership role, and is looking forward to working closely with him as we continue to grow ALC’s profile, membership and advocacy activities,” Davies says.
“The ALC Board is confident that Kirk’s considerable experience in organisational leadership, member engagement and influencing policy outcomes will further enhance ALC’s capacity to deliver the policy framework and reforms needed to enhance national supply chain efficiency and safety.
“This is especially important as we head into a Federal Election year, and as the Commonwealth prepares the National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy for release in 2019. ALC is committed to remaining the lead advocate for this much-needed Strategy, and ensuring it delivers the right outcomes for ALC Members and for the nation’s freight logistics industry as a whole.
“On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Mr Lachlan Benson for the dedicated and energetic organisational leadership he has provided as ALC’s Interim CEO since July 2018. During his planned acting tenure, key structural and internal corporate changes have been achieved that will allow Kirk as the incoming permanent CEO to focus on the major policy issues facing the industry.
“Lachlan will continue working closely with ALC to support Kirk over the next month as he transitions into the role of CEO and meets with key ALC members and stakeholders. He will then return to his strategic advisory and director work, but will be available to assist Kirk and the ALC Board as required in the future.
“I welcome Kirk to ALC, and look forward to working with him, our members and the freight logistics industry to advance a policy reform agenda that will help Australia meet its growing freight task in a safe, efficient and globally competitive way.”
“I look forward to introducing Kirk to you myself at ALC Forum 2019 in Melbourne from 5-7 March 2019.”