Executive Leadership Team
Craig Bloxham
Managing Director and Co-Founder
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Craig leads BGER, a company founded in 2017 to provide multidisciplinary engineering, EPCM and ESG services for the Resources, Energy and Industrial sectors.
As one of the founding principals, Craig is responsible for managing, growing and diversifying the business to drive improved financial performance, robust corporate governance and positive health, safety and community outcomes.
Driven by a desire for BGER to be one of the preeminent trusted advisors, Craig leverages his considerable experience in leading major infrastructure projects to fulfil the company’s growth and ESG ambitions.
He was the Delivery Director for the $10 billion Roy Hill iron ore project, in the Pilbara region of Western Australia (WA). He also served as the Project Director – Infrastructure for this mega-scale Greenfields development, managing all the early works packages for the aerodrome, access roads, bulk earthworks, utilities (power, water and backbone communications) and NPI facilities.
Prior to this, Craig spent 20 years at AECOM, where he commenced as a graduate civil engineer and progressed through several roles to become the Regional Managing Director for WA and the Northern Territory. His diverse experience in engineering, contracting and major projects has contributed to building a unique blend of management and delivery skills.
Craig is the Chair of BGER’s Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and Investment Group, and a Member of the Remuneration Group, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council and Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Working Group. He holds a Master’s Degree in Engineering Sciences and a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Civil), from James Cook University in Queensland.
Tony Comerford
Technical Director and Co-Founder
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With more than 35 years’ experience, Tony manages the technical delivery of projects for BGER’s clients, in the fast-paced Resources, Energy and Industrial sectors.
He is one of the Co-Founders of the company and manages a team of highly experienced professionals, on both the East and West coasts of Australia.
Tony sets the technical and engineering standards for client engagements, which spans conceptual design, detailed design, documentation, project management, construction management and commissioning of complex, multidisciplinary Greenfield and Brownfield projects.
He draws on this abovementioned experience coupled with his expertise in metals processing and refining, chemical plants, port facilities and industrial operations, to deliver tangible and measurable value to clients.
Prior to BGER, Tony held senior engineering and project management roles at Roy Hill, AECOM and Queensland Nickel.
Tony is the Chair of the company’s Technical Leadership Team (TLT), and a valued Member of the ELT, Remuneration Group, Audit & Risk Group and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council, and is a RAP Champion at BGER. He is also a Chartered Professional Engineer and Registered Professional Engineer in QLD, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Mechanical) from the University of Southern QLD.
Joe Allen
Director, Operations and Director, Resources
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Joe oversees the operations of BGER and spearheads the company’s work in the Resources sector.
With up to 20 years’ experience, spanning traditional commodities and critical and rare earth minerals, Joe is a seasoned professional who has undertaken design, construction management and operation of mineral processing plants, power generation systems and infrastructure, for some of the world’s largest Resources companies.
His specialised skills encompass concept studies, layout development and precise capital cost estimates across the entire project life cycle. Joe excels in coordinating the interface between engineering and project execution.
In response to the important role that critical minerals are playing in the global energy transition, Joe recently led the development of several lithium and renewable energy projects, including a world-class green steel development and various hydrogen initiatives. His focus remains firmly on enhancing resource efficiency and optimising asset productivity for our clients, while addressing their crucial ESG impacts.
Prior to joining BGER in 2020, Joe held senior roles at Aerison Pty Ltd, Onyx Projects, Fortescue Metals Group (now Fortescue) and Calibre (now WSP).
Joe leads the company’s Operational Leadership Team (OLT) and is a Member of the ELT, Remuneration Group and the Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Sub-Group. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Mechanical) from the University of WA.
Gavin Wearne
Regional Director, East Coast and Director, Ports & Marine
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In his current capacity, Gavin is responsible for the growth of BGER’s East Coast operations as well as our well-regarded Ports and Marine practice, managing a large team of clever and committed professionals.
Dedicated to solving complex challenges for our clients, Gavin leverages his rich and diverse capabilities in the planning, design and construction management of port facilities, marine infrastructure and coastal works.
With more than 20 years’ experience in the maritime industry, Gavin’s technical competencies lie in ocean and coastal engineering, and in numerical modelling, physical modelling, metocean criteria determination, full bridge ship handling simulation, mooring analysis and coastal protection structures design.
He has led several multidisciplinary feasibility studies for port export facilities including the West Pilbara Iron Ore Project, Balla Balla Infrastructure Project and Stanley Point Berth 3 Port Expansion.
Prior to BGER, Gavin spent almost 14 years at AECOM. He is an advocate of using the latest technology and developing value-engineered solutions to optimise the transportation and distribution of commodities, materials and people.
Gavin is a pro-active Member of the company’s ELT and the Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Sub-Group. He holds bachelor’s Degrees in Engineering (Mechanical) and Commerce from the University of Western Australia and is a Member of Engineers Australia.
Doug Tapper
Director, Energy
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Doug leads BGER’s growing Energy business and is motivated by helping clients transition to a new energy future.
Passionate about pursuing energy innovation to enable clients to maximise the value of their assets while decarbonising their operations, Doug is a well-respected executive with a demonstrated history of working in the Resources, Energy and Industrial sectors.
Having joined BGER in early 2023, Doug has more than 25 years of experience in delivering strategic and technical advice across engineering and to help finance projects. He plays a key role in applying our Net Zero in Design™ approach to help clients navigate the fast-changing technology and regulatory environment, to provide clear strategies to reach net zero.
Doug’s vast experience covers the areas of gas and diesel-fired generation, cogeneration, islanded generation, conventional thermal plant and more recently in renewable technologies and large-scale energy storage. He has spent most of his career working in the Energy and Infrastructure sectors, with a focus on project management and has substantial technical and commercial expertise.
Prior to joining BGER, Doug held a series of leadership roles at Aurecon, Verdia Energy Advisory Services, Energy Developments Remote Energy and Parsons Brinckerhoff (now WSP).
Doug is Member of the company’s ELT and the Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Sub-Group. He holds a Master’s Degree of Business Administration from the Chiefly Business School and a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Mechanical) from the University of Hertfordshire in the UK.
Jason Fong
Director, Geotechnical
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Jason leads BGER’s growing Ground Engineering practice, including developing and delivering fit-for-purpose technical solutions for clients in the Resources, Energy and Industrial sectors.
With a career spanning more than 30 years – across Australia, Indonesia and Singapore – Jason is an experienced geotechnical engineer. He is skilled at developing business strategies, leading multidisciplinary teams and managing projects for some of the world’s leading mining, minerals, oil & gas, and industrial companies, as well as working with utility providers and defence organisations.
Jason is highly sought after for his expertise in ground engineering and for his ability to collaborate with a diverse range of industry specialists in strategic asset management, water supply and water resources, GIS, tailing storage facilities, mine closure and rehabilitation, and community and stakeholder engagement, including First Nations.
Prior to BGER, Jason held senior technical leadership roles with major multidisciplinary consulting companies. He has served as a design lead and project director on major infrastructure developments covering all phases of the project lifecycle – from planning and site investigation to design, construction, operations, closure and rehabilitation.
Jason is a Member of the company’s ELT and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Engineering, is a Chartered Professional Engineer, Registered Professional Engineer QLD and Fellow of the Institution of Engineers Australia. He is recognised for his capabilities in civil engineering, geotechnical engineering, management and leadership.
Phil Jefferys
Director, Development
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Phil is a highly skilled executive who has been employed by BGER since 2022, his expertise spans engineering, design, project delivery, strategy, studies and project development, as well as Indigenous procurement/contracting.
He is a seasoned engineer with some 20 years’ experience gained from Australia, Asia, Africa and South America. Prior to joining BGER, he held senior roles at BHP, SinoSteel Midwest Corporation, Boston Consulting Group, GEM Consulting and Worley.
In his role as the Director, Development he is responsible for helping to shape the Company’s approach to working with proponents to bring green steel and critical minerals to market, as well as for leading the Advisory business, contributing to organisational development, strategic business development, and teaming with others to nurture and grow BGER’s market share with our key clients.
Phil is a team player and has solid recent experience from both the West and East coasts of Australia. He has kicked some serious goals in the emerging space of green steel with some of our internationally-based clients, as well as spearheaded several bodies of work in helping critical mineral companies accelerate their developments.
Some of the projects that Phil has contributed to during his career include, Mozal Aluminium Smelter and Escondida Copper Mine, Port Hedland Operations and Outer Harbour Project, Blue Hills Iron Ore Mine, Oakajee Port and Rail Development, Kwinana Nickel Refinery, Dampier-to-Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline, Comalco Alumina Refinery.
Phil holds a Bachelor’s degree in Science and Engineering and a Master of Business Administration. Outside of his full-time role, Phil continues to be passionate and committed to supporting Indigenous business owners to grow.
Bianca Taylor
General Manager, People & Culture
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Bianca is responsible for leading BGER’s People & Culture (P&C) corporate function.
She has more than a decade of experience in the Oil & Gas and Resources sectors, and is motivated by creating accepting, inclusive workplaces that are rewarding for all.
Since joining BGER in 2021, Bianca has been focused on talent acquisition and management, and learning and development programs, to help drive growth and rewarding employee engagement.
She is the Chair of the company’s Remuneration Group, RAP Working Group and Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Sub-Group, and a valued Member of the ELT.
Bianca holds a Graduate Certificate in Human Resources Management from RMIT, Diploma in Human Resources, Diploma in Management and a Certificate IV in Human Resources.
Jamie Little
General Manager, Commercial
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Jamie brings more than 20 years’ experience in managing the commercial aspects of projects and operations gained from the Resources, Energy and Industrial sectors. He specialises in engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) engagements, contract negotiations, project controls, insurance, supply chain management, governance, operational efficiency and measurable project success.
His experience encompasses robust commercial management of energy, operations and maintenance (O&M), sustaining capital and non-process infrastructure (NPI) projects.
Jamie is highly skilled in strategic planning, budgeting, forecasting and project finance, as well as working with disparate sets of data to build holistic business tools to help inform decision making.
He cultivates highly efficient and organised teams, while adding value for both internal and external stakeholders through effective collaboration, risk management, and strategic opportunity identification.
Before joining BGER, Jamie held commercial roles at NRW Holdings (formerly Primero Group), Civmec, ABB, Southern Cross Electrical Engineering and JSE Electrical & Communications.
Jamie is a pro-active Member of the Executive Leadership Team and Chair of the Audit & Risk Group. His comprehensive studies in law, which were undertaken at Edith Cowan University in Western Australia (WA) help to bolster BGER’s commercial management and to Company’s achieving its strategic objectives.
