New boss comes with broad credentials in property and government relations
Property expert Romilly Madew will be the new boss of Infrastructure Australia (AI).
Acting chief executive Anna Chau will remain in the position until Madew takes it up in April, when resumes her role as executive director of project advisory to lead IA’s ongoing project assessment work.
The federal planning organisation describes Madew as the driving force behind Australia’s sustainable building movement, having has led the Green Building Council of Australia since 2006.
“She is recognised around the world as a leader in the property and construction industry, and is an experienced CEO with expertise in strategy, governance and policy development,” AI chair Julieanne Alroe says.
“Romilly has forged strong working relationships with industry, government and community stakeholders through her current role and previous executive positions, including as ACT executive director at the Property Council of Australia and the national client relationship manager for law firm King & Wood Mallesons.
“As chief executive of the Green Building Council of Australia, Romilly represented over 650 companies with a collective annual turnover of $40 billion, and presided over the Green Star rating system, which has seen more than 2,250 projects certified across the country.
“She has also held board positions with the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council, Sydney Olympic Park Authority and Chief Executive Women, and sat on numerous ministerial panels including the Cities Reference Group, National Urban Policy Forum and the China/Australia Services Sector Forum.”
Read the departing AI CEO’s rebuke to the political class on decisionmaking
Federal infrastructure minister Michael McCormack welcomed Madew’s appointment, saying it will bolster the agency’s skill and expertise, to assist with the planning and delivery of major, national infrastructure projects.
“Ms Madew has a proven ability to forge strong working relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders in industry, government and the community and I welcome her appointment to this important leadership position,” McCormack says.
He adds that Madew’s expertise will “help to ensure IA can continue to consult with a broad range of stakeholders to provide high quality advice and strategic feedback, to assist the Federal Government and others with making important decisions about major infrastructure investments”.
Both note she has won several major awards including; the national 2009 Telstra Business Women’s Award – Community and Government; the 2017 World Green Building Council Chairman’s Award; and the US Green Building Council’s 2015 International Leadership Award.