Construction lawyer Annabel Crookes has become the first female president of the Australian Constructors Association
The appointment is a historic moment for both Australian’s construction industry and the Australian Constructors Association (ACA), which has never had a female president in its 28-year history.
Crookes assumes the position following the retirement of Duncan Gibb.
With more than two decades of experience in the industry, Crookes is currently the director for legal and executive director, company secretary at international engineering and construction company Laing O’Rourke.
“It is a real honour to be appointed president of the ACA. I am looking forward to working with the members of the Board to continue the path of reform required to achieve a resilient and sustainable industry – especially in the areas of procurement and improving the culture, health and wellbeing of our workforces,” Crookes says.
“Three years ago, the ACA Board was made up of 20 male chief executives from similar backgrounds. Fast forward to my first Board meeting as president and we have a truly diverse representation, with strategists, financial, people and legal experts – generating better thinking and ideas.”
ACA chief executive Jon Davies praised Crookes’ appointment, hailing it as a history moment for a sector that is traditionally dominated by men. Davies says the selection of Crookes to president is symbolic of wider cultural change at the ACA.
“A key challenge with the lack of representation in our industry is that you can’t be what you can’t see. Just 12 per cent of the construction workforce are women. Today’s election builds on the decision taken three years ago to increase female membership on the ACA Board. Annabel’s election comes at an exciting time in the industry and I’m looking forward to working with her,” Davies says.
Crookes has served as a director on the ACA board since 2019 including a stint as vice president and company secretary since 2020.