Archive for leadership

Leadership Update

Following four years in the role, we thank Alana for her contribution to SYSTRA ANZ and wish her well in her future endeavors.

With effect from 1 January 2026, Jonathan Herguais, currently Chief Operating Officer of SYSTRA ANZ, has been appointed to oversee the management of the business on an interim basis, while continuing in his role as COO. This arrangement is intended to ensure continuity of leadership and operations.

Need more information?

For more information, please get in contact with us. Alternatively, if you wish to keep in touch please hit subscribe.

Keep in touch

SYSTRA ANZ Appoints Chief Financial Officer to enable next stage of growth

With over 20 years’ experience, Franck joins the business with deep expertise in financial leadership, management, and analysis. He brings transferrable knowledge in defence, cybersecurity, transport, and infrastructure projects with a demonstrated ability to deliver sound business strategy coupled with financial and operational success.

“We are lucky that we found Franck to support our business gear up for the next iteration in our growth and transformation. It was the perfect fit, with Franck bringing the desired corporate skills and big business background that we needed and an even happier coincidence to find he was a French national. Franck will be responsible for implementing new systems to set us up for long-term success and further expansions via acquisitions.”
Alana Newbrook, Chief Executive Officer, SYSTRA ANZ

Joining SYSTRA ANZ after nearly two decades with Thales, Franck’s expertise and understanding of project management, funds management, corporate finance, operations, and public contract negotiations will help the team grow whilst managing our productivity and delivering the best outcomes to clients.

“I’m excited to join a company that has such lofty ambitions. While we are quite young in Australia, we have had great success locally and bring a global reputation as the signature team for mobility projects.

I look forward to working with Alana, the Leadership Team and the finance group to ensure we hit our key targets and dominate the mass transit and rail market here, like we do abroad.”
Franck Leriche, Chief Financial Officer, SYSTRA ANZ

Originally from Paris, Franck has lived in Australia since 2004. He holds a Bachelors and Master’s degree in Management, Entrepreneurship, Finance & Strategy, and recently graduated from AICD. Franck is based in our head office in Sydney at Level 15, Chifley Tower Sydney.

Hit below to learn more about Franck.

SYSTRA ANZ Appoints Rob Scarbro as Director – Systems Integration

SYSTRA ANZ is pleased to welcome Rob Scarbro as Director – Systems Integration in the Major Projects team.

Rob brings over 30 years’ experience in the development and delivery of major projects across the transport, defence, and energy industries. He is a leader in the fields of systems integration, safety and systems assurance, governance, and broader rail engineering.

“Rob is a key appointment for the business as we bolster our systems team to become a systems integrator of choice for our clients. Rob will be an integral player in our global systems group and help leverage international expertise into Australia and New Zealand. We are thrilled to have Rob on our team and expanding our practice in the Victorian market.”
Alana Newbrook, Chief Executive Officer SYSTRA ANZ

Rob is an established transport executive engineering and systems leader, previously holding key roles at Metro Trains Sydney, Department of Transport Victoria, and Rail Projects Victoria.

He says, “It’s a great time to be joining SYSTRA as the business expands its footprint and expertise in ANZ, and I’m excited to be a part of a global leader in transport engineering and consulting. I am looking forward to delivering world-class critical infrastructure solutions on behalf of our clients.”

Rob is based in our Melbourne office. To find out more about Rob or to get in contact, please click here.

About SYSTRA:

SYSTRA ANZ’s mission is to be there where it matters; on the complex projects with the greatest impact, providing innovative solutions that will shape the future of our communities. As one of the world’s leading engineering and consulting groups, we are focused on building tomorrow’s mobility solutions today. Operating in more than 80 countries, we have designed 1 in 2 of the world’s metros and highspeed rail lines. The ANZ team is an integral part of part of our global network, backed by 9000+ experts, providing us the unique ability to be agile with global scale.

SYSTRA ANZ Appoints James Fuary as Director – Capability Systems Engineering

SYSTRA ANZ’s Security and Technology Solutions team continues to grow, with the appointment of James Fuary as Director – Capability Systems Engineering.

“James is a key appointment for our business as we look to grow and establish our capability” says Andrew Waye, Executive General Manager – Security & Technology Solutions. “James will provide leadership ensuring that our people deliver excellence and achieve customer satisfaction.”

James is an innovative engineering leader bringing 25 years’ experience and diversity across the fields of defence, transport, and government. In previous roles James has steered engineering functions and led multi-national teams in delivering large-scale programs.

James says, “I am looking forward to helping SYSTRA ANZ grow and reach its potential while retaining the organisation’s great culture and values. We have an opportunity to make a substantial difference in the Security and Technology Solutions domain and I am excited to be on that journey.”

James is based in our Sydney office and will be responsible for leading and advancing capability systems engineering services and solutions in the Security and Technology Solutions team. To find out more about James or to get in contact, please click here.

About SYSTRA:

SYSTRA ANZ Appoints Michelle Bedson as Director Program Service Delivery – Federal

SYSTRA ANZ is pleased to welcome Michelle Bedson as Director Program Service Delivery – Federal, in the growing Security and Technology Solutions team.

Michelle brings over 15 years’ experience in delivering key Federal government initiatives focused on major Information and Communications Technology reform, complex program and project delivery, stakeholder leadership and cyber security resilience.

“Michelle is a key appointment for our business as we look to expand our expertise across Federal and nationally-based clients” says Andrew Waye, Executive General Manager – Security & Technology Solutions. “Michelle will provide leadership in critical asset and digital solutions to support resilience and respond to cyber threats.”

With strong leadership abilities, Michelle has directed and managed large teams involving project managers, business users, programmers, and analysts.

She says, “I am looking forward to the challenge of business leadership while providing delivery excellence and value to our clients in the Federal domain. I want to produce excellent delivery outcomes for our clients that showcase our teams’ capabilities and skills.”

Michelle will be based in our Canberra office. To find out more about Michelle’s role or to get in contact with her, please click here.

About SYSTRA:

SYSTRA ANZ Appoints Chris Hurst as Executive General Manager – Major Projects

As SYSTRA continues its growth across ANZ, Chris will be responsible for leading the newly formed Major Projects team – established to focus on the successful delivery of major projects for our clients, partners, and the communities we serve.

“2022 was a huge year for Systra in ANZ; we won our largest intake of orders in major projects as we successfully pivoted to taking on larger roles in complex projects. Due to the success of this strategy, it was clear we needed a new division dedicated to delivery. Chris was the obvious choice and has what it takes to lead this newly formed team,” says Alana Newbrook, CEO SYSTRA ANZ.

Alana adds, “Chris is well-known to many of our clients, having been part of the SYSTRA team for the last five years. He brings to the role extensive experience managing complex major infrastructure projects; most recently leading our operational integration teams delivering train control systems projects across ANZ. Under Chris’s leadership, the team will ensure that we not only continue to provide outstanding delivery to our clients, but we also grow our reputation as the partner of choice and signature team for transport solutions across ANZ.”

The creation of a new role and team for Major Projects is exciting to not just further strengthen and grow our own team, but to bring more of the global SYSTRA skill sets to our local clients. “I am excited to take on this new role overseeing a larger portfolio of complex projects,” says Chris.

“SYSTRA ANZ has been growing steadily for the last couple of years on the back of some significant wins. I’m looking forward to working with our teams in Australia, New Zealand and across SYSTRA to capitalise on this growth momentum and deliver world-class infrastructure solutions for our clients.”

With over two decades experience in project delivery and consulting roles, Chris has worked on numerous large-scale infrastructure projects including West Coast Route Modernisation in the UK and the roll out of the European Train Control System in Southeast Queensland.

About SYSTRA:

Four to Join Horizons Program

We are excited to announce Ben Voss, Consultant – Systems Safety Assurance, Amine Aloui, Consultant – Train Control and Signalling, Gemma Main, Senior Consultant – Systems Safety Assurance and Thomas Britland, Principal Consultant – Human Factors have been selected to join the Rail Industry Safety Standards Board (RISSB) Horizons Program 5.0.

The Horizons Program offers a unique opportunity to up and coming technical professionals who want to broaden their knowledge and understanding of technology in rail. The program seeks to address the challenges of the rail industry by offering participants knowledge sharing and leadership development opportunities that focuses on improving critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, communication, and collaboration.

Dave Cahilap, Learning and Talent Development Manager, SYSTRA says, “We are incredibly excited for Ben, Amine, Gemma and Tom. All four are outstanding individuals who continue to uphold our values and who have all excelled in their roles helping to shape positive outcomes for our clients and the community.

“Their selection as part of the Horizons Program will provide them with a greater understanding of the industry as well as input into its direction.”

Ben adds, “I’m really looking forward to attending the Horizons Program, I’m particularly keen to hear from some of the industry’s most senior leaders as well as develop my professional network.”

The Horizons Program is aimed at technical professionals aged 35 and under who have been identified as emerging high potential leaders or those who would benefit from learning more about the rail industry and new technologies. The Horizons Program includes:

Forums (Get togethers delivered virtually or face-to-face) featuring CEOs, technical leaders, and other influencers
Workshops
Webinars covering a range of technical and professional topics
Developing an understanding of what RISSB does and how Standards are developed
Group projects
Developing and presenting group ideas (pitching) to panels of industry leaders.

For more information on the learning and development opportunities available to staff at SYSTRA, please click here.

Andrew Waye Appointed to Lead SYSTRA’s Security and Technology team

Andrew brings to the business over three decades of experience across multiple government agencies and over a decade of service in the Royal Australian Navy.

Alana Newbrook, Chief Executive Officer, SYSTRA ANZ says, “Andrew is a key appointment for our business as we look to grow and expand our expertise across critical infrastructure to support resilience, respond to cyber threats and utilise analytics.

His background is well aligned to our target growth areas, having previously worked for government agencies and professional services firms. He also brings a diverse skillset that we are particularly excited to leverage with his experience spanning the maritime, aviation, national security, capability systems and critical infrastructure sectors.”
Alana Newbrook, Chief Executive Officer, SYSTRA ANZ

An accomplished leader and strategic advisor, Andrew specialises in implementing generational change capabilities and reform programs.

He says, “I’m really excited to get to work with SYSTRA, meet my new colleagues and to help expand our expertise. SYSTRA is well known across the industry for its work in this space, particularly in collaboration with Team Downer. I’m looking forward to taking on the challenge of a national role and getting to know my team as well as new and existing clients.”

Andrew will be based in our Canberra office and will also be part of our Executive Leadership Team for Australia and New Zealand.

To find out more about Andrew’s role or to get in contact with him, please click here.

A new head for SYSTRA in ANZ

An engineer for over 20 years, Alana has worked in the transport, defence, and energy sectors, and has deep expertise in the set up and delivery of major infrastructure projects. Up until now she has been the Director of Advisory in Australia at WSP, where she has been leading work across Australia in transport planning and mobility, business cases, operations and asset management. She has previously worked at KPMG and Parsons Brinckerhoff. Among her career highlights to date, she was involved in the preliminary studies for the Sydney Metro project, design and construction of large sections of the Pacific Highway and has worked alongside TfNSW to develop their 10 year infrastructure plans.

With Bachelor’s degrees in chemical engineering and the arts (English literature and philosophy) from the University of Sydney, Alana also has an MBA from Macquarie Graduate School of Management.

I would like to welcome Alana, who accepted to join SYSTRA’s journey in Australia, a key country for our activities in East Asia and a dynamic market where we are advancing strategic missions, especially for Sydney Metro. We aim to continue our role as a key player in mobility engineering and write new success stories like in past years. In his role, I would like to thank Mark Scott for all his work at SYSTRA Scott Lister.
Jean-Charles Vollery, SYSTRA Chief Operating Officer

SYSTRA in Australia: a continuous growth since 2016

SYSTRA set up in Australia in 2016 with the acquisition of Scott Lister. The Australian teams then grew from 60 to 150 in just a few years, with the development of a Consulting branch specialising in digital solutions.

Our landmark projects are for systems engineering for the roll-out of ERTMS level 2 on the Cross River Rail line in the state of Queensland, as well as independent certification for the City & Southwest, West, and Northwest lines of Sydney Metro.