Bill Gillson

Professional Executive in the areas of Contracts, Commercial and Risk Management

I am a highly qualified executive manager always looking for opportunities both under contract or full time employment. I am extremely dedicated, hardworking person who is loyal and a methodical detailed approach to my work.

I have had significant financial audit and financial reporting experience throughout my career and had to provide expert financial reports to either justify or confirm contractual payments on multi-million dollar disputes in Australia and Internationally.

During my time contracting with Alternate Dispute Resolution services, I was engaged to provide expert advice on the BRT Infrastructure supervision project in Tanzania for the World Bank. The contracts were FIDIC contract templates used by the World Bank in its development projects internationally. The project included construction of 21 km of multi-lane urban roads, bus terminals and feeder stations in Dar es Salaam via 7 construction contracts with a value in excess of $200M. Specific responsibilities include identifying and managing contractual disputes and determining the value of claims made inside and outside of the agreed provisions of the contract.

I have worked on various types of construction, infrastructure, mining, oil and gas projects both from a principal and contractor perspective. I managed teams of contract specialists (both Senior and Junior Quantity Surveyors and Contract Engineers) and recently completed a contract with Australia’s largest infrastructure project ($23 Billion AUD) with APLNG, a joint venture with Origin Energy, Synopec and ConocoPhillips. One of my main duties was reporting and providing presentations to both the Origin Energy executive committees and the Joint Venture executive committees. These presentations were heavily focusing on financial data that included whole of project budgetary analysis and forecasting for the purposes project approval.

I have held senior managerial positions on a variety of civil and building projects including roads, buildings, airport upgrades (including purchasing planes) mining and construction camps (including services and maintenance contracts) and other major infrastructure projects.

I initially started my executive career with the Australian Government as a Senior Executive Level 1 with the legislation Liaison Section, Office of the Chief Tax Counsel at the Australian Taxation Office (‘ATO’). My role included liaison between the department and the federal ministry on the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax. In this role I was required to provide a voice to the ministry and maintain relationships with key stakeholders and relevant professional associations affected by the introduction of the new tax system. I was tasked with providing modeling data on the impact of individual pieces of legislation from a financial impact to revenue gathering perspective. This included analyzing and collating multiple financial reports from private business and other commonwealth and state governments.

During this time I was personally responsible for raising the department legislation risk compliance to 96% and was mentioned in the Australian Commonwealth Senate for my work by Sen. Helen Coonan (Assistant Treasurer). I also received 4 Commissioner Commendations during my time with the ATO.

I believe that my strongest ability is to effectively communicate both written and orally. I deliver all reports in a fluent and logical manner as well as making my points clear and concise. I have had to deliver briefs to investigate, justify and advise on many types of situations as they arose. Whether individually or as part of a team, I know that I can attain the utmost from individuals in order to achieve and maintain productivity at the desired level and realise set outcomes within allotted timeframes.

I am currently working as Principal and Contract Management Officer for Seqwater, the Queensland Government Water Authority. My role includes reviewing and providing commercial advice and financial modelling on procurement, contract strategies and working with maintenance and categories purchasing activities. I provide specialist advice in the areas of commercial, contracting, budgetary reporting, compliance and governance to the project teams within the department. I draft and deliver training packages on government policy and statutory obligations to the projects and procurement and contract teams within the Authority. I provide advice on processes from tendering, contracting strategies and project completion initiatives.

Examples of my Executive Performance shown below:

 I have been a managing consultant of a large law firm in Western Australia specialising in risk management, commercial contracts advice for large construction, infrastructure and mining organisations. Some of the duties included the establishment of compliance plans, risk/mitigation strategies, coordinating workshops for medium to large organisations including special projects and investment schemes. I have also advised professional organisations such as legal and accounting firms, public companies, governments of all levels. I have assisted in the drafting of annual reports, product disclosure statements, major projects and risk plans/registers including documentation associated with benchmark corporate governance and compliance.
 I have represented the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) as a subject matter expert with several agencies including the Australian Government Solicitor, Australian Federal Police, Australian Crime Commission, Western Australian Police Force, Western Australian Attorney-Generals Department and the Western Australian Department of Public Prosecutions. My role included providing specialist knowledge on corporate responsibility and governance including Risk Management Procedures, Contracts, Commercial fraud and auditing.
 In 2004 I was approached by the then Western Australian Minister of Tourism the Hon. Bob Kucera to become a member of the Rottnest Island Board.
I was required to chair various committees during my tenure with the Board. One of the committees’ purposes was to establish tenure and risk processes for multi-million dollar service contracts to supply services to the Island. As committee Chairman I was responsible for the project outline and plans, recommendations and specific project parameters.
Quote from Minister Kucera November 2004 “Already I have noticed the emergence of a new direction for the Authority. The combined skill set of the Authority’s current Board is proving to be a genuine asset for the island and its progress towards sustainability”
Quote from Minister for Tourism Sheila McHale MLA April 20th 2006 responding to my letter of resignation from the Board “As we know there have been positive and lasting changes to Rottnest Island during your tenure as a Board member and you can take pleasure in the knowledge that you have made a valuable contribution to these improvements. Your efforts have helped ensure that Rottnest Island will remain an attractive and accessible holiday destination for all visitors to the Island”

LinkedIn Profile at: https://au.linkedin.com/in/bill-gillson-91aa1174

Should you require any further clarification or further information please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Bill Gillson
bgillson@optusnet.com.au
0402353045