Peter Wilkinson
BE (Mech), MIEAust, MBA (AGSM)
Director, SamWilko Advisory
Overview
Peter is a Director of SamWilko Advisory, a company providing specialist advisory services to the Transport, Construction and Technical Services industries. He possesses tertiary engineering and post-graduate business qualifications as well as more than 25 years’ specialist rail and road industry experience. Peter has extensive private industry, public sector and consulting experience in the development, implementation and management of transport business and major infrastructure projects gained with Transfield Services, GHD Pty Ltd, Serco Asia Pacific, United Group Limited and State Rail (now Sydney Trains) NSW. With these organisations he has undertaken significant bid and project development and assessment activities including:
- As Director of SamWilko Advisory, fleet procurement technical Interface Manager for a Consortium bidding for an extension to the Sydney Light Rail system;
- In association with Advanced People Systems, providing bid solution development guidance and submission review as part of an APS management team for a Crown Project Services / Calibre Rail JV submission in response to a NWRL Project Services RFT in Sydney, NSW;
- With GHD, providing due diligence services as Independent Engineer for the Reliance Rail Consortium and subsequently acting as Independent Certifier for Reliance Rail, the PPP entity responsible for the $3.6 Bn contract for providing fully maintained Waratah trains to Railcorp (now Sydney Trains) NSW;
- With Serco Asia Pacific, playig an integral role in developing and delivering an operations and maintenance solution to SNC-Lavalin and the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) for outsourced system extensions, operations and maintenance of a light rail system in Manila, The Philippines.
Key Attributes
Peter models effective leadership by creating a culture of awareness, alignment, innovation and a focus on achieving outstanding performance.
- He has integrated his professional expertise into organisations’ operations to improve overall performance and delivery of planned outcomes.
- He applies coaching principles and methodologies in implementing sustainable changes that improve business performance
- He encourages stakeholders to work together and establish cross functional approaches to addressing challenges
- Within his roles he has consulted broadly to obtain buy-in, drawing on the knowledge of key stakeholders within and outside the organisation. He promotes information exchange and facilitates cooperation by maintaining open communication.
- His roles have focused his skills in developing long-term opportunities whilst considering emerging trends and aligning operations with key strategic priorities.
- He considers multiple perspectives when assessing the ramifications of key issues and their impact on operations and stakeholders.
Experience, Expertise and Skills
Peter recently managed a Transition Project for a multi-national Light Rail Transport operator in transitioning from a private sector BOOT contract to NSW Government contract. He has provided bid strategy and implementation services to a number of organisations seeking to secure new opportunities in unfamiliar territory. He has also worked with multiple clients in the construction and technical services industries in analysing all aspects of each company – from business model to market position to talent pool – and working with the owners in making necessary changes to bring about sustainable growth.
Peter Wilkinson was formerly Manager of GHD’s Sydney Management Consulting Group, practicing in Transport Project Advisory, Asset Solutions, Business Performance and Risk & Safety. Peter has supplemented his specialist rail rolling stock expertise through experience in a wide range of rail and road infrastructure and operational disciplines. He has provided due diligence services for a number of transport infrastructure transactions in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, New Zealand, The Philippines, UAE, Japan and Bangladesh. He has also managed and contributed to a number of significant feasibility studies. He possesses mechanical engineering qualifications in the areas of maintenance and asset management.
Peter was formerly Executive Manager, Commercial for Transfield Services ANZ and earlier Executive Manager Strategy & Development for Transfield Services’ Rail Infrastructure Group. In 2009 he held the role of Acting General Manager for Rail in NSW and Queensland with responsibility for 100 staff. He led and oversaw a number of significant projects and tenders including a $1Bn+, 7+5 Year Partnership Based Contract submission to Railcorp (now Sydney Trains) NSW for L3C Fleet Maintenance Services (in JV with Bombardier), a $1.5Bn, 10 Year Network Stewardship contract submission to NSW Country Rail Infrastructure Authority for operations and management of the NSW Country Regional Network and a $26M Design & Construct upgrade of viaduct section of the Outer Harbour line on the SA Transadelaide network in Joint Venture with Baulderstone SA.
Peter has extensive experience in both private sector and public sector funded infrastructure projects involving procurement and financing using a wide range of methodologies. He has applied his asset and systems development and management expertise in the transportation, defence, utilities and infrastructure industries both locally and overseas. His outsourcing commercial acumen was developed in particular through his work with Transfield Services and Serco Asia Pacific.
Transport Infrastructure Project Development and Due Diligence Overview
- With GHD Pty Ltd, Peter managed a wide range of feasibility studies, including an assessment of the potential for mixed public transport, commercial and/or residential site usage for underutilised land associated with a private motorway in NSW. Additionally he undertook due diligence for a number of projects both locally and overseas, including a review of the transport links for a proposed coal mine development in Phulbari, Bangladesh.
- With GHD Pty Ltd, Peter developing a Road versus Rail cost assessment model to evaluate issues arising from the Grain Industry Advisory Committee’s Report into the viability of the NSW Restricted rail branch line network for the NSW Ministry of Transport. He also managed a team that provided an independent assessment of the condition of a number of the NSW “Restricted” rail lines for the NSW Ministry of Transport and an Industry Commercial Group comprising Pacific National, AWB and GrainCorp. In addition, he managed an independent audit of the FY 03/04 Country CSO Network scope completion and performance reporting for RIC (now Transport for NSW), as well as a study of an alternative freight rail route operating strategy to free up the congested North-South corridor on the Eastern Seaboard for Rail Infrastructure Corporation, NSW.
- With GHD Pty Ltd, Peter held the position of Deputy Design Manager for the $1.5 Bn Epping Chatswood Rail Link (a tunnel-based extension of the Sydney Metropolitan rail network) for Thiess Hochtieff Joint Venture.
- Working as Engineering Support Manager for Serco Asia Pacific, Peter developed a 30 Year solution for managing rolling stock and infrastructure assets for the City Transit Consortium’s BOOT bid for the Brisbane Light Rail Project, Queensland. He played an integral role in developing and delivering a proposal to SNC-Lavalin and the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) for outsourced system extensions, operations and maintenance of a light rail system in Manila, The Philippines and carried out a study recommending operating improvements to a privately financed light rail proposal for Koto Ward in Tokyo, Japan.
- With Serco Asia Pacific, Peter performed a key role in developing a fleet supply, refurbishment and financing solution for incorporation into a bid by the Melbourne Metro consortium for Hillside Trains Franchise in Victoria. He subsequently carried out due diligence investigations into Bayside Trains maintenance management practices on behalf of Siemens Rail Services, Melbourne, Vic. He also carried out asset due diligence and valuation for the Freight Australia Consortium’s bid for the privatised Freight Corp and National Rail Corporation businesses and assessed and evaluated NZ Tranz Rail privatised passenger rail and professional services business opportunities.
- With A. Goninan (now United Group) he held a senior engineering management role with the privately operated Maintrain facility which was originally created by Railcorp to provide maintenance services to the (then) NSW State Rail Authority and Freight Corporation. Working as Product Engineering Manager, Peter implemented maintenance engineering requirements and provided support services for procurement, subcontracts, sales and operations. He also played a key role in a successful bid for Great Southern Rail Passenger maintenance services (contracted to Serco as purchaser) and the subsequent implementation of Goninan South Australia operations and maintenance support operations.
- With NSW State Rail Authority (now Sydney Trains) Peter competed a 6 Year cadetship and was subsequently appointed as Depot Engineer at Flemington Maintenance Centre. He successfully managed a $250K upgrade of site facilities prior to a UITP Delegation visit and performed the role of Centre Manager on a relief basis.
Transfield Services Experience
- Peter held the role of Executive Manager Commercial, with responsibility for providing commercial support across Transfield Services’ Infrastructure business (comprising Roads, Rail, Water, Transmission and Electrical Services across Australia and New Zealand)
- Peter previously held responsibility across Australia for developing Transfield Services’ Rail strategy and 5 Year Business Plan. Within this role he made a significant contribution to an internal restructure of the Rail ANZ business to enable the achievement of future growth targets. In 2009 he held the position of Acting General Manager for Rail in NSW and Queensland in 2009, managing 100 staff.
- He developed strong relationships with clients, strategic partners and technology providers in growing the Rail business by 75% over a 2 Year period. He was directly responsible for securing a $11M, 3 Year maintenance contract for Epping to Chatswood Rail Link for Railcorp NSW as well as a $26M upgrade of a viaduct section of the SA Transadelaide network in Joint Venture with Baulderstone SA.
- As Bid Director, he led a number of significant tenders including a $1Bn+, 7+5 Year contract submission to Railcorp NSW for L3C Fleet Maintenance Services (in Joint Venture with Bombardier Transportation) and a $1.5Bn, 10 Year contract submission to NSW Country Rail Infrastructure Authority for the operations and management of the NSW Country Regional Network. He managed a wide range of submissions and pre-negotiated a number of contracts with SA DTEI including a proposed 3-party Joint Venture arrangement involving Baulderstone SA and MVM Rail with a value of $200M over 2 Years.
Project and Study Management Experience
- Managed a rail infrastructure capability assessment and options development process for a proposed private mine in Phulbari, Bangladesh.
- Carried out a feasibility study and recommended operating improvements to a privately financed light rail proposal for Koto Ward, Tokyo, Japan.
- Developed a road versus rail cost assessment model to evaluate issues arising from the Grain Industry Advisory Committee’s Report into the viability of the NSW Restricted rail branch line network for Ministry of Transport, NSW
- Assessed and evaluated Tranz Rail privatised passenger rail and professional services business opportunities, NZ.
- Managed the finalisation of design and implementation of EDI Rail’s 4th Generation train seat for Cityrail, NSW
- Managed a feasibility study into a proposed commercial development for a private Motorway, Sydney, NSW
- Provided infrastructure project priorities input to an economic investment study undertaken on behalf of the Property Council of Australia, NSW
- Managed a bid for a concept design and preliminary assessment of the planned Belconnen to Canberra City Busway, ACT
- Managed a bid on behalf of United Goninan for the provision of maintenance services to MTR Corporation, Hong Kong
- Managed a study into the feasibility of alternative routes for Sydney Metropolitan freight traffic for Rail Infrastructure Corporation, NSW
- Managed an independent audit of the FY 03/04 Country CSO Network scope completion and performance reporting for Rail Infrastructure Corporation, NSW
GHD Pty Ltd – Asset Management and Business Process Assessment Experience
- Carried out an organisational review of Asset Management implementation capability for the Abu Dhabi Department of Transport for PMS (now Fugra), UAE
- Carried out an independent assessment of RailCorp Infrastructure Group’s Asset Management based business activities, RailCorp, NSW
- Provided an independent review of fleet and infrastructure operations and maintenance costs for Airtrain CityLink Pty Ltd, Brisbane, Qld
- Provided an independent review of fleet and infrastructure operations and maintenance costs for Airtrain CityLink Pty Ltd, Brisbane, Qld
- Carried out a performance driver assessment of the NSW Bus Fleet for State Transit Authority, NSW
- Carried out a Business Process Review of the Developer Services, Developer Performance and Commercial & Industrial Customer Services units within Sydney Water, NSW
- Reviewed Freight Australia’s fleet Asset Management Plan and prepared a valuation of fleet assets as input to a combined bid for the FreightCorp and National Rail Corporation businesses, Vic
- Provided an independent assessment of the condition of NSW “Restricted” rail lines for the NSW Ministry of Transport and an Industry Commercial Group comprising Pacific National, AWB and GrainCorp.
- Reviewed and assessed Asset Management IT systems for NSW Health
- Reviewed Asset Management IT systems for NSW Housing
- Carried out due diligence of National Express Group’s Bayside Trains fleet maintenance management on behalf of Siemens Rail Services, Melbourne, Vic
Serco – Asset Management Experience
- Performed a key role in developing a 30 Year, $370M fleet maintenance plan, selecting preferred suppliers for a $400M rolling stock supply, refurbishment and financing solution and presenting the technical solution to the Transport Reform Unit (TRU) as part of a bid by the Melbourne Metro consortium for Hillside Trains franchise, Melbourne, Vic.
- Developed a 30 Year technical solution for managing rolling stock and infrastructure assets for the City Transit Consortium’s bid for the Brisbane Light Rail Project, Qld.
- Played an integral role in developing and delivering a proposal to SNC-Lavalin and the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) for the operation and asset maintenance of a light rail system in Manila, The Philippines.
- Developed a 30 Year fleet maintenance proposal for National Express Group, Melbourne, Vic.
- Carried out a feasibility study and recommended operating improvements to a privately financed light rail proposal for Koto Ward, Tokyo, Japan.
- Implemented the asset maintenance modules of a Mincom “Open Enterprise” integrated business system and provided business process development support for Serco Defence Services’ Medical and Dental contract, Randwick, NSW.
- Developed a conceptual Asset Management system solution for Serco Consultancy’s Northlands Highways bid, Auckland, NZ.
| SamWilko Advisory |  Director (2012 – Current) |
| Transfield Services Australia Pty Ltd |
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| GHD Pty Ltd |
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| Serco Asia Pacific Pty Ltd | Engineering Support Manager (1998 – 2001) |
| Maintrain (Division of United Group) | Product Engineering Manager (1994 – 1998) |
| NSW State Rail (now Sydney Trains) |
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Education and Qualifications
- Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering – UTS Sydney, 1990
- Corporate Member of the Institution Of Engineers Australia
- Masters of Business Administration (Executive) – Australian Graduate School of Management, 2000
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PETER WILKINSON
Sydney, Australia
+61 (0) 418 636 545
peter@samwilkoadvisory.com
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