Darren Wagstaff is a Project Director for ACCIONA Constructions Australia. With over 34 years of experience, Darren has led complex civil infrastructure projects along Australia’s east coast, including the Westlink M7 and Coomera Connector.

A standout achievement is delivering over 120 bridges, including the 1.6km Gateway Upgrade Bridge. Passionate about diversity and innovation, he champions mentoring, Indigenous participation, and industry-first solutions.

Respected by colleagues and stakeholders, Darren’s leadership and commitment to excellence have left a lasting legacy in Southeast Queensland’s infrastructure landscape.

Kane Bennett is a highly respected construction professional with 15 years of infrastructure delivery experience.

As General Foreman – Civil on the Pacific Motorway Eight Mile Plains to Daisy Hill Upgrade, Kane oversees earthworks, drainage, pavements and noise barriers in a live motorway environment with over 150,000 vehicles daily.

Kane fosters a “people first” culture, prioritising safety, mental health and mentorship. He has driven industry-leading trainee retention rates, safety innovations and community initiatives which have made a lasting impact on his team and the broader industry

Matt Hemsworth is a Project Manager for CMC, embodying the company’s ethos: Exceptional People Delivering Exceptional Outcomes. Matt led a $40 million TMR project in a remote region, overcoming workforce challenges, security threats, and social pressures while maintaining a resilient team.

His technical expertise drove innovative solutions, including pavement optimisation and sustainable material sourcing. Passionate about community engagement, he mentored Indigenous students and supported local suppliers.

Matt’s leadership, problem-solving, and dedication have left a lasting impact on both the industry and the community

A founding member of the IPS team, James Sheldon was a skilled engineer, nationally recognised orienteer, and a respected member of the Scenic Rim’s outdoor education community. Hailing from Boonah and a lifetime lover of adventure, James was a skilled and experienced hiker, mountaineer, orienteer, climber and cyclist.

From our inception as a business, James was an invaluable asset to the IPS team, demonstrating his skills across various projects including a depth of technical knowledge and problems solving abilities in water infrastructure that was enviable to all those around him.

He was passionate about engineering and construction in all forms, always seeking to find better ways to solve a problem and how to consider environmental impacts and sustainable solutions. Respected for his capabilities and talent and beloved for his enduring warmth and wit, James was simply an irreplaceable character, colleague and friend.

At only age 32, recently engaged, and with a promising engineering career, James’ life was tragically cut short doing what he loved best. The IPS James Sheldon Construction Professional of The Year Award honours James’ memory and builds on his legacy, inspiring others to be courageous and adventurous in their pursuit of a career of excellence.

IPS provides dynamic project management, planning and engineering services to the infrastructure and broader construction sectors, offering expert technical and advisory services across the full project lifecycle – from project development phases, transaction and procurement processes, through to design and delivery of complex, large-scale, and sensitive projects.

Read more about our projects here: www.ipsorg.com.au/experience

Bringing together a team of over 30 highly skilled professionals and leveraging our trusted network of reputable industry partners, IPS delivers optimal project outcomes on the most challenging engineering projects through our best-in-class efficiency, diligence and collaboration with our clients. Our proven difference is the powerful blend of project management expertise and rich technical acumen we bring to each project, enabling IPS to cover a broad range of our clients’ needs and provide the required solutions with a high degree of understanding and efficiency.

Our portfolio spans government agencies, Tier 1 contractors, local councils, and specialist consultants, giving us a 360-degree view that powers integrated, transparent, and customised solutions at any project stage.

Maintaining a non-negotiable standard of excellence, IPS is leading the way in forging a new benchmark of quality for the infrastructure sector.

Learn more about IPS by downloading their Capability Statement HERE.