Aurecon appoints Louise Adams as Group CEO

International design, engineering and advisory company Aurecon has appointed Louise Adams as its new Group Chief Executive, effective from July 1, 2025.

As the current Chief Operating Officer, Adams will succeed the current Group CEO, William (Bill) Cox. Cox is ending a six-year leadership term that saw Aurecon achieve record growth helping clients solve increasingly complex problems including energy security, clean water, urbanisation and climate change.

Adams will lead approximately 7,500 people in 31 locations across Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Macau, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Greater China.

Aurecon Chair Giam Swiegers said Adams’ track record of building an engaged culture, delivering strong financial performance and focus on client services was key to the next phase of Aurecon’s success.

“She has honed razor-sharp insights and strong business acumen over the past four years delivering exceptional results as the group’s current Chief Operating Officer,” he says.

Adams joined Aurecon in 2000 after graduating from the University of South Australia. She is an advocate for equality in STEM, becoming the first female executive director on Aurecon’s global board. She is also a global spokesperson for women in leadership through the Chief Executive Women program.

She believes immense change is occurring across Asia Pacific.

“Aurecon has diversified our service offerings to address our clients’ most pressing challenges including combating climate change, transitioning to renewable energy and investing in the right technologies,” she says. “I look forward to using this new role to continue elevating our important work.”

Cox will continue to work closely with Adams over the coming months. Following July 1, he plans to expand his commitment to the broader engineering sector through his directorships and other roles.