In a calculated and exciting strategic move that will support the ongoing growth of Bowhill Engineering, we are changing the management structure of the business. Whilst this may seem like a big move, this change is welcomed by those involved and it respects our individual strengths and allows us to focus on areas that we enjoy most.
New Leadership Roles Unveiled
Effective September 1st, 2023, Bowhill Engineering welcomes a fresh chapter with the appointment of Jodie Hawkes as the CEO. With an impressive track record as the CFO for the past two decades, coupled with her role as the Chair of the Regional Development Board Murraylands Riverland, Jodie brings a wealth of experience and innovation to this new position.
This strategic realignment brings about another pivotal change – Jeremy Hawkes, the Managing Director, will transition full-time into the role of Director of Business Development. Jeremy’s visionary leadership over the past 30 years has been instrumental in propelling Bowhill Engineering’s growth. This strategic move will allow him to focus on expanding the company’s reach into the eastern states and further diversifying into mining and defence.
A Testament to Internal Growth
Stepping into the role of General Manager is Tom Dennis, an embodiment of Bowhill Engineering’s “grow our own” philosophy. Tom’s journey from a Metal Fabricator to General Manager over an 11-year span is a testament to his dedication and the company’s commitment to nurturing its talents.
Strategic Chess Moves for Growth
Kristian Livolsi, Advisory Board Chair, aptly compares this to a chess match, highlighting the importance of aligning each piece to your strategy for maximum impact and outcome. “We have exceptional people; evidenced by our results and their enthusiasm to grow. By moving people around, we get to play to their strengths and unleash their enthusiasm. We are continuously diversifying our skills and innovating our people. This will improve customer experience, create opportunities for our team, drive scalable outcomes, and create more wins for the organisation” states Livolsi.
Clear Roles for a Bright Future
Jodie’s role as CEO will revolve around setting and achieving strategic directions, while Jeremy’s focus will encompass external functions, and Tom will dedicate himself to internal operations. The Advisory Board, led by external members including Kristian Livolsi as Chair, will continue to provide governance, strategic guidance, and financial strategy, holding the Management Team accountable.
The Vision of Each Leader
Jeremy Hawkes emphasizes, “This transition will enable me to focus on my passion of identifying and creating new business opportunities, establishing partnerships, negotiating deals, and driving the growth of the company’s revenue streams. I’m excited because it will mean I have more time to spend nurturing key relationships and uncovering smarter solutions.”
Tom Dennis echoes this sentiment: “Inward-facing accountability equals outward-facing capability. My strong focus on driving improvement in people and processes, combined with my hands-on background and years of leading production teams, positions me well to manage the entire organization’s internal priorities as General Manager.”
Jodie Hawkes underlines the significance of this transformation, stating, “This transformation is about setting clear boundaries about roles & expectations. I want to develop a strategic playbook of accountability that sets the next generation up for success. We are a proud 2nd generation family business, and we aim to ensure our organisation thrives, irrespective of who leads it. We’re nurturing our emerging leaders to create depth within our leadership structure.”
Together, We Thrive
As Bowhill Engineering embraces these transformative shifts, it remains committed to its core values, its people, and its dedication to excellence. This evolution, driven by transparency will provide reassurance & certainty that the business is well positioned for its next phase of growth.
