Our leaders

Group Executive

Our Group Executive team is responsible for leading an ambitious growth strategy that builds on the strong foundations of the business and positions the Group for success now and into the future. 

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Headshot of Adam Castro
Adam Castro
Chief Executive Officer & Director
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Adam Castro is the Chief Executive Officer of The APP Group and a Director of APP Corporation Pty Limited.

Adam is leading an ambitious growth strategy that builds on the strong foundations of the business and positions the Group for the future by being the partner of choice for property and infrastructure advisory.

Adam's extensive career spans more than three decades within the property and infrastructure industries. He holds a Bachelor of Construction Management and Economics (Hons) from the University of Canberra and a Master of Financial Management from the Australian National University.

He is a Board Member for CareerTrackers, a national purpose-driven organisation that supports pre-professional Indigenous university students and links them with employers to participate in paid, multi-year internships.

Vanessa De Bono
Vanessa De Bono
Chief Financial Officer & Director
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Vanessa is the Chief Financial Officer of The APP Group and a Director of APP Corporation Pty Limited. 

Vanessa leads the financial operations for the business and the legal function. She is responsible for the Group’s financial management and performance to meet the Group’s strategic goals, whilst maintaining a strong approach to governance and financial discipline.

With over 30 years of experience, Vanessa has held various Executive level roles leading Finance, Supply Chain and Operations within the retail, wholesale, and healthcare industries, both in Australia and overseas.

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David Simpson
Chief Executive, Transport
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David Simpson is the Chief Executive of our Transport business, responsible for driving client service delivery, financial and operational performance to achieve the Group’s strategic goals.  

Educated as a lawyer and business executive, David’s career began in the transport and engineering sectors where he went on to become Chief Executive of UGL Resources, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Forge Group Limited, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fredon Group, and Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Valorem Advisory.  

David has considerable experience in the transport sector having held executive positions at Leighton Contractors, ADtranz and as a Director of Metro Trains Melbourne. He has worked across the broad infrastructure project lifecycle with particular expertise in strategic planning, commercial advisory, contract negation, conflict resolution and leadership. 

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Melanie Kurzydlo
Chief Executive, Property & Social Infrastructure
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Melanie is the Chief Executive of our Property and Social Infrastructure businesses, responsible for driving client service delivery, financial and operational performance to achieve the Group’s strategic goals. 

Melanie has extensive experience across leadership, strategy, business relations, client and stakeholder engagement, development, and project management. She has an impressive track record in leading and empowering teams and projects with her strong knowledge across various industry sectors and brings her creative flair for customising operational plans to align with market demands, opportunities, and growth objectives. 

Melanie is a current Board Director of the GWS Giants Foundation, the University of NSW Foundation Limited and IKON Property Services. In addition, she is active with the Property Council of Australia, supporting the initiative 500 Women in Property and PCA Girls in Property and sits on the PCA NSW Precincts Committee. Melanie holds a Bachelor of Interior Architecture from the University of New South Wales, and advanced executive and operational leadership accreditations. 

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Brett Hocking
Chief Executive, Energy & Utilities
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Brett is the Chief Executive of our Energy & Utilities business, responsible for driving client service delivery, financial and operational performance to achieve the Group’s strategic goals. 

His experience at The APP Group extends to managing divisions, regions and establishing a successful offshore business for the company. Brett has accumulated an in-depth understanding of how to drive business growth, in addition to expertise in project strategy, delivery, operational and financial management.  

Brett excels at building strong relationships with clients and industry partners in order to design and implement bespoke, end-to-end solutions for major programs of work that generate genuine value for clients. He specialises in identifying new markets and opportunities to apply and expand The APP Group’s capability.  

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Mathew Bradley
Chief Executive, Defence
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Mathew (Mat) leads our Defence business, with responsibility for driving the growth strategy and pursuit opportunities across the industry. 

Mat has over 30 years’ experience in Defence encompassing numerous operational and industry roles in project delivery, capability development and facility upgrades. Prior to joining The APP Group, Mat was accountable for a large-scale consultancy workforce and has led business development captures for test and evaluation ranges. A retired Navy senior officer, he has also held multiple leadership positions including command appointments over naval establishments and at-sea aviation capabilities. 

Mat holds an Executive MBA, Master of Maritime Policy and Master of Defence Studies. He is a Chartered Manager, Fellow of the Institute of Managers & Leaders and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Richard Stewart
Richard Stewart
Chief Executive, Major Projects
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Richard is the Chief Executive of our Major Projects across the Group and responsible for strategic major pursuits, business development activity and marketplace digital integration.  

Richard has more than 25 years of experience in the transport and civil infrastructure industries. An engineer by training, Richard has advised on and delivered some of the world’s largest infrastructure projects for public and private sector clients.  

He previously led John Holland Group’s global business from 2005 to 2016 as Executive General Manager, where he played pivotal role in driving the company’s continued growth in the rail sector. He most recently held the position of Chief Executive Officer of Infrastructure Nation. 

He is a member of the Australia Institute of Company Directors and the Permanent Way Institution, where he is an active industry contributor.  

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Leigh Braddick
Chief People Officer
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Leigh is the Chief People Officer of The APP Group, leading the full range of human resources functions including organisational strategy, leadership, culture workplace, performance, reward and talent management.  

He prides himself on the ability to take complex issues and create simple, yet impactful solutions. His passion and genuine interest in thriving people will help The APP Group compete as an industry-leading employer.  

Leigh is a member of the Australian Human Resources Institute, accredited in various leadership and culture diagnostics and has more than 20 years of human resources management and leadership training. 

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Ben Hughes
Group Executive, Marketing
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Ben is a seasoned strategic business and marketing leader with over 20 years’ experience in property and infrastructure, including 10 years at the senior management level.  

With a depth and breadth of experience across strategy marketing, client engagement, communications, and development management, Ben applies his advanced strategic and creative skillsets to create meaningful and engaging experiences for clients, partners, and other key stakeholders, including leading the change that future-shapes organisations.

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Ben Pitt
Group Executive, Strategy
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Ben is an experienced strategy and corporate development executive with almost 20 years’ experience in professional services, property and infrastructure. 

He is passionate about guiding The APP Group to a successful future, by growing the business through a focused corporate strategy and the successful integration of new businesses and strategic partnerships.

Our Board

Our Board leads the overall corporate governance for The APP Group to ensure the business is well placed for long-term sustainable success and that the Group achieves its ambitious growth strategy.  

Dennis Finn
Dennis Finn
Chairman and Non-Executive Director
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Dennis has more than 35 years of experience in senior executive roles cross the globe and brings a wealth of knowledge around scaling organisations, people-centric leadership and high-impact customer-focused interventions. 

Most recently Dennis held the role of Managing Director, Professional Services at Amazon Web Services across Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Southeast Asia, India, and Japan. Dennis spent 10 years with PwC as a Senior Partner in a range of leadership roles that included the New York based role of Global Vice Chairman, Chief Human Resources Officer. In addition, Dennis was the Chief Executive Officer of Worley’s Worldwide Consulting Division – Advisian, based in London. Dennis also served as Chairman of global technology companies Roller Software and Genero Media.

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Srdjan Dangubic
Board Member
More about Srdjan Dangubic

Srdjan Dangubic is from The APP Group’s growth partner, Five V Capital, and oversees the investment into The APP Group.

Most recently he headed up the team which acquired Monson Agencies, Australia's leading technology-enabled independent shipping agency specialising in dry-bulk commodities. Prior to joining Five V, Srdjan was a director at global private equity fund CVC Capital Partners in both Australia and Hong Kong, and before this, Macquarie Bank.

Srdjan holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Western Australia.

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Angus Whitehead
Board Member
More about Angus Whitehead

Angus Whitehead is from The APP Group’s growth partner, Five V Capital, and oversees the investment into The APP Group.

Angus has strong investment and transaction experience in both the UK and Australia. His previous roles include working as an investment manager at active long-term equity investment firm Marwyn Capital in London, and as an executive in mergers and acquisitions at EY in Sydney and London.

He holds a Bachelor of Accounting from UTS, and a Masters of Applied Finance from Macquarie University. Angus is also a Chartered Accountant.

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Elliott Whelan
Board Member
More about Elliott Whelan

Elliott Whelan is from The APP Group’s growth partner, Five V Capital, and oversees the investment into The APP Group.

Elliott previously worked at Macquarie Capital, executing transactions across the industrials and infrastructure sectors. Prior to this Elliott was with PwC within their assurance practice. 

Elliott holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance Honours) from the University of Melbourne. He is also a Chartered Accountant.

Headshot of Adam Castro
Adam Castro
Board Member and Chief Executive Officer
More about Adam Castro

Adam Castro is the Chief Executive Officer of The APP Group and a Board Member.

 Adam is leading an ambitious growth strategy that builds on the strong foundations of the business and positions the Group for the future by being the partner of choice for property and infrastructure advisory.

Adam's extensive career spans more than three decades within the property and infrastructure industries. He holds a Bachelor of Construction Management and Economics (Hons) from the University of Canberra and a Master of Financial Management from the Australian National University.

He is a Board Member for CareerTrackers, a national purpose-driven organisation that supports pre-professional Indigenous university students and links them with employers to participate in paid, multi-year internships.

Jacqui Roberts
Jacqueline Roberts
General Counsel and Company Secretary
More about Jacqueline Roberts

Jacqueline Roberts is the General Counsel and Company Secretary for The APP Group.

With over 20 years’ experience as a legal professional, Jacqueline has shaped her career specialising in real estate, property, infrastructure, and corporate law.

Jacqueline has had extensive experience as a lawyer in the top-tier law firm Allens and as a corporate lawyer with property development company Vinta Group and telecommunications infrastructure group Crown Castle.

She holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Technology Sydney and a Bachelor of Economics (Marketing) from the University of New South Wales.