Peter Kessler brings over 38 years of distinguished experience in the construction industry, with 18 years in senior leadership roles. His career spans notable positions across major Australian and international construction firms, where he has been instrumental in delivering major infrastructure projects. Before joining Taylor Rail, Peter held pivotal roles at John Holland Pty Ltd, including General Manager of the International Tunnelling and Underground Mining Division, Director roles for both Australian and New Zealand operations, and Strategic Development Director for the John Holland Group. These roles saw him oversee multi-regional projects and drive strategic growth across Australasia.

In 2010, Peter joined Fulton Hogan, where he quickly ascended from Executive General Manager of Strategic Projects to Chief Operating Officer and then CEO of the Australian Construction Business. During this tenure, he served as a member of the Group Executive for the Trans-Tasman business, reported directly to the Board, and chaired the National Safety Steering Committee. In 2019, Peter brought his extensive expertise to Taylor Rail Australia as CEO and Director of Construction Operations, where he continues to lead the company in delivering world-class rail infrastructure.

Mark Wroblewski has been at the helm of Taylor Rail Australia since 2002, serving as Managing Director and providing steadfast leadership in the delivery of rail maintenance and infrastructure projects across the country. With over 30 years of industry experience, Mark is known for his hands-on approach, working closely with project managers to ensure every project meets and exceeds contract requirements. His deep construction, design, and performance management expertise, combined with his supportive and decisive leadership style, have made him a driving force behind Taylor Rail’s success.

Mark’s practical engineering skills and collaborative approach set him apart as a leader. He works in close partnership with client representatives and community groups to achieve win-win outcomes on every project. His ability to bridge technical excellence with community needs has been pivotal in shaping Taylor Rail’s reputation for delivering quality and reliable rail solutions. Mark’s leadership continues to guide the company in maintaining its commitment to innovation, compliance, and operational excellence in the rail industry.

John Kirkwood joined the Taylor Rail Board in August 2024. A respected leader in Australia’s engineering and construction sectors, John brings over 40 years’ experience—spanning site-based roles and senior executive positions.

He is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Seymour Whyte, where he has been instrumental in driving the company’s strategic growth since joining in 2015. Prior to this, John held senior positions with Leighton Contractors as Executive General Manager, and with Abigroup Contractors, including four years as National Operations Director overseeing business operations across Australia.

Known for his strategic, people-focused leadership, John has consistently driven improvements in cost, operational performance, and sustainable, profitable growth. His extensive experience spans the full project lifecycle—from concept to execution.

In addition to his executive roles, John has actively contributed to the advancement of the civil infrastructure industry through involvement with the Australian Constructors Association (ACA), Queensland Major Contractors Association (QMCA), the Queensland Master Builders Association (QMBA), and as a Pay Equity Ambassador with the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA).

Nicola Padget joined the Taylor Rail Board in August 2024. As a chartered accountant and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, she is an accomplished finance executive with over two decades of experience across the construction, engineering, and mining sectors. Nicola currently also serves as Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary of Seymour Whyte – a prominent, national civil engineering and construction company. Since joining the company in 2013, she has brought a strong focus on financial governance, strategic planning, and operational performance, with a commitment to driving sustainable profit growth. Prior to Seymour Whyte, Nicola held senior finance roles at Peabody/Macarthur Coal, including Director, Financial Accounting, and Director, Finance, as well as Financial Controller roles at Consolidated Rutile Limited.

Earlier in her career, Nicola worked at KPMG as Manager, Audit and Assurance Division, gaining valuable experience in risk and compliance across a variety of industries. Nicola is also a Member of the Library Board of Queensland – the governing body of the State Library of Queensland – and currently serves as Chair of its Audit and Risk Management Committee.

Steve Lambert joined the Taylor Rail Board in August 2024. With over 30 years’ experience in the construction industry, Steve brings strong leadership, strategic planning capability, and deep commercial and risk management expertise to the board.

Steve is the Chief Operating Officer at Seymour Whyte, appointed in April 2022. He first joined Seymour Whyte in December 2014 as General Manager – Central and Southern Region, where he played a key role in the company’s diversification and expansion into New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia. He has also overseen the successful delivery of a wide range of infrastructure and resource sector projects.

Before joining Seymour Whyte, Steve was the General Manager at Ditchfield Contracting, and prior to that he was Operations Manager at Abigroup Contractors.

Steve’s in-depth knowledge of contract models, paired with his operational and commercial acumen, make him a valuable contributor to Taylor Rail’s continued growth and performance. In addition to his executive roles, Steve is also a Board Member at the Australian Constructors Association (ACA).

David brings over four decades of experience in Management, Financial, Accounting, and Taxation, with the last 32 years spent in senior commercial executive roles. He began his career at Peat Marwick (now KPMG) in 1984, where he qualified as a Chartered Accountant and Registered Tax Agent. In 1993, he was headhunted by a client to enter the Wine Industry, which marked the beginning of a long career in various sectors, including Mining, Manufacturing, Rail, Equipment Hire, and Maintenance. Notably, he served as Chief Financial Officer for a decade in a large, diversified private company group with a significant rail component. When this business was sold to Progress Rail Services, a subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc., in 2014, David stayed on as Finance Director to facilitate the transition.

Following the successful completion of that role, David joined Taylor Rail in late 2015 as Chief Financial Officer. In this capacity, he contributes his extensive commercial and operational expertise, offering strategic, financial, and business advisory support to the Board. His career has been marked by strong leadership, team development, and relationship management, as well as a proven ability to apply multidisciplinary technical skills and commercial insight. David is widely recognised for his professional approach, ability to enhance shareholder value, and consistent achievement of business objectives.

With over 30 years of experience managing rail projects, Steve Olsen is a seasoned leader in the rail industry. Since joining Taylor Rail Australia in 2011, Steve has played a pivotal role in the company’s operations, focusing on developing a skilled subcontractor network, managing track crews, and collaborating with stakeholders to deliver detailed and precise project scopes. His extensive industry knowledge, combined with a hands-on approach, ensures every project he oversees is executed efficiently and to the highest standards.

Steve’s expertise spans a wide range of rail operations, from team coordination to stakeholder engagement, making him a cornerstone of Taylor Rail’s success. His commitment to fostering collaboration and driving project excellence reflects his ability to navigate complex challenges and deliver results that exceed expectations. With a career defined by dedication and achievement, Steve continues to lead projects that strengthen Taylor Rail’s reputation for reliability and innovation in rail infrastructure.

In her current role as Commercial Manager, Helen oversees contract management, procurement strategies, risk assessment, and financial performance across both the construction and maintenance divisions. Helen brings a thorough understanding of the technical aspects of rail construction and maintenance, but also a strategic mindset that ensures projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.

Helen is an accomplished Commercial Manager with a solid foundation in civil engineering and thirty years of experience in tier one and tier two construction companies. Her career spans across various sectors, including bridges, roads, tunnels, quarries and concrete plants, where she has consistently delivered high-value outcomes through strategic planning, commercial acumen, and a deep technical understanding.

Beginning her career as a civil engineer on a landmark bridge gained experience in all facets of site management. Her technical expertise and keen problem-solving abilities quickly propelled her into leadership roles where she successfully bridged the gap between engineering and commercial strategy.

Adam joined the team at Taylor Rail Australia in 2018 as a fully qualified Civil Engineer following graduation from the University of Wollongong. Since coming on board as an engineer, Adam was involved with planning and delivering a wide range of major construction and minor maintenance railway projects for government networks, port terminals, freight intermodals and private yards across NSW and VIC. With strong aptitude towards scheduling, resourcing, and costing projects, in 2022 Adam took on the role of Estimating Manager and is now focused on supporting the growth of Taylor Rail Australia and securing larger scale projects by providing effective solutions beneficial to all parties involved.

Karl Davy brings over a decade of dedicated experience in the rail industry, specialising in workplace health, safety, and environmental compliance. Since 2009, Karl has honed his expertise in track renewals and maintenance, combining hands-on operational knowledge with a strategic focus on corporate responsibility and risk management. As WHSE & Compliance Manager at Taylor Rail Australia, Karl is committed to ensuring the company adheres to all WHS regulatory standards and the stringent requirements of the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator while upholding client-specific site protocols.

Known for his proactive and practical approach, Karl works closely with teams at all levels, providing guidance to maintain safety and operational excellence across every project. His ability to integrate compliance with business sustainability ensures Taylor Rail consistently meets its obligations while delivering high-quality outcomes. Karl’s leadership in safety and compliance is instrumental in fostering a culture of accountability and resilience within the organisation.