The Infrastructure Sustainability Council has announced that Chief Executive Officer Ainsley Simpson will be moving on to take on a new role as inaugural Chief Executive Officer of Seamless in March 2024.
“After eight years with the IS Council, nearly six years of those at the helm, Ainsley has made a lasting impact on the infrastructure industry on both sides of the Tasman,” says IS Council Chair Deb Spring.
“Under Ainsley’s inspirational leadership, the IS Council has grown to become a recognised beacon for sustainable infrastructure globally. Our membership has grown four-fold, industry capability has broadened and the number of IS ratings has tripled – and this is in no small measure thanks to Ainsley’s ability to listen to diverse views, encourage respectful debate and bring everyone together to tackle our biggest challenges.
“Ainsley has amplified the Council’s influence, building an engaged member base with a combined annual turnover of more than $50 billion. In her inimitable style, she has helped the IS Council become a trusted voice with the infrastructure industry and with governments.
“We can now clearly quantify and articulate our economic and environmental impact – an impact that extends across more than $297 billion of assets under rating in 2023 and a double-digit reduction in lifecycle carbon emissions over the last five years.”
Among the IS Council’s achievements during Ms Simpson’s tenure is the delivery of a full suite of rating tools across all asset classes, states and territories, and a strong presence in Aotearoa New Zealand.
“Ainsley has built a highly capable team and a diverse, inclusive organisation, growing the team to more than 40, and setting the Council up for the future,” Ms Spring says. “She was also the driving force behind Infrastructure Net Zero, the national initiative established in 2023 to bring government and industry together across all sub-sectors and asset classes to co-ordinate, collaborate and report on infrastructure’s pathway to net zero by 2050.”
In 2019, the IS Council was presented with the highest honour at the Banksia Sustainability Awards for its work to align the IS rating scheme with UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
“I am tremendously proud of what the Council, our members and the industry have achieved. The sector is embracing the cultural change we need to deliver sustainable infrastructure with intention and momentum,” Ms Simpson says.
“We have brought together a growing community of collaborators and pace setters who are creating impact and driving market transformation. It has been my privilege to lead the Council over a time of enormous growth and am excited to see the next chapter unfold.”
The IS Council’s Board has appointed Patrick Hastings, Chief Delivery and Capability Officer, as the Acting CEO. Mr Hastings will take the reins on 19 February 2024.
“Patrick is well positioned to continue the dynamic growth and sectorial change of the IS Council. He is backed by a responsible, collaborative and dynamic team as they continue to ensure all infrastructure delivers cultural, social, economic and environmental benefits,” Ms Spring says.
Ms Simpson joins Seamless in March 2024. Seamless was established to create a circular clothing industry by 2030 and to reduce the 200,000 tonnes of clothing sent to Australian landfill each year.
“Ainsley has championed industry-wide change in the infrastructure sector. On behalf of the Board, we applaud her stellar contribution and wish her all the best with Seamless, furthering the mission that both our organisations share: a sustainable future,” Ms Spring concludes.
ENDS
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Media contact:
Karen Jamal karen@kjcommunications.com or 0412 179 135
About Infrastructure Sustainability Council
The Infrastructure Sustainability Council is Australia and New Zealand’s authority on sustainable infrastructure projects and assets. The IS Council’s purpose is to ensure all infrastructure delivers cultural, social, environmental and economic benefits. The Council works with more than 35 federal, state and local government departments in Australia and New Zealand. The Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) rating scheme is mandated by delivery agencies and asset operators across Australia and New Zealand with more than $297 billion infrastructure projects undertaking ratings. The Council represents 240-plus individual companies, departments and associations with a combined annual turnover of more than $50 billion. For more information, contact the IS Council on info@iscouncil.org or visit www.iscouncil.org
