Fulton Hogan has announced the appointment of Simon Barnes as Chief Executive Officer, Australia.

A highly regarded executive with more than 30 years’ experience across infrastructure, construction, energy and mining, Simon has a strong track record of leading complex businesses, improving operational performance and delivering major projects across Australia.

He joins Fulton Hogan from Decmil East, where he was Managing Director and helped strengthen profitability and operational scale. He has also held senior leadership roles with Acciona, Lendlease and Abigroup, bringing deep expertise in civil engineering, contracting, project delivery and business leadership.

Simon Barnes takes over from Graeme Johnson, who has headed the business since 2022 and recently returned to New Zealand to take over the Fulton Hogan Group CEO role.

Graeme Johnson said Simon Barnes’ appointment reflected the leadership needed for the company’s next phase in Australia.

“We’re excited to have Simon join the Fulton Hogan team and take the reins in Australia. He’s a seasoned leader with a wealth of contracting experience across both our core business and growth interests. Simon’s appointment will further strengthen our Australian Executive team, and continue to deliver great outcomes for our people, clients and the communities we serve for the long term.”

Simon Barnes will commence with Fulton Hogan on 12 October 2026, working closely with the Australian leadership team to support the business’s continued growth and delivery for customers and the communities it serves.