The 4,000+ member organisation is the peak association for professionals who deliver public works and engineering services to communities across Australia and New Zealand.
Morcom takes on the role from Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Institute Ben Balov, who took over from previous CEO Robert Fuller last November.
“My first 100 days will be about listening to our members and those we work with in support of our purpose and the collective IPWEA team, therefore successfully leading IPWEA in to its next growth phase, through collaboration, consultation and transparency,” Morcom said in a statement on her LinkedIn account. “Professionals working in the sectors represented by IPWEA carry the daily responsibility of enhancing the quality of community life, and it is the mission of our organisation to advocate for positive change to advance the role of public works and services.”
Two years ago, Morcom was appointed as National General Manager of Scouts Australia – the first female in the organisation’s 110 year history to claim that title. Before that Morcom was an Associate Director at KPMG.
She has more than 25 years experience in senior management across companies including Australia National Bank and Westpac, RailCorp and Commonwealth Bank. Her unique background has fostered her leadership style which encompasses technology, human capital and culture. In a statement released by IPWEA, Morcom said she considered this role to be a pivotal advocacy opportunity to connect wider society to government agencies and supply chain service providers.
“IPWEA’s objective is to enhance the quality of life of our communities through public works and services. This is a powerful and shared higher purpose for the organisation,” Morcom said. “As an active member of my local community, I’m passionate about ensuring IPWEA supports the ambitions of its members, and all associated professionals, with the resources and collective voice to make the world a better place. IPWEA is ideally positioned to campaign for awareness of the sector’s essential purpose of understanding, interpreting and delivering on the needs of local communities, from the front line, as well as advocating for change.”
Rosemary Crowhurst, a long term member of IPWEA and the only full-time female engineer in a council of close to 30 engineers, praised Morcom’s appointment.
“This appointment has the potential to be positive in our industry. The need for quality engineers in public works is important for everyone and I am a strong believer that diversity is key to that. Having a female leading one of our peak industry bodies is good news.”
Morcom’s unique background and range of experiences will be brought to “provide professionals with the timely tools and resources they need to develop new skills, grow their networks and engage with strategic partners,” she said in her statement.