Master Builders pave way for female CEO

The Board of Master Builders Australia recently announced its appointment of Denita Wawn as the organisation's new Chief Executive Officer.

Wawn assumed the top job on March 20, and replaced Wilhelm Harnisch who held the position for 15 years.

Wawn has made history by becoming the first female CEO to represent the 127-year-old company.  She brings with her a strong understanding of the issues impacting on the organisation and its members, having previously held the position of General Manager of Operations at Master Builders Australia for 12 months.

She has also led several successful industrial campaigns during her time at the National Farmers Federation (NFF), Australian Hotels Association (AHA), and the Brewers Association of Australia and New Zealand.

"Denita’s qualities, skills and experience as a highly accomplished industry leader and advocate saw her emerge as the successful candidate from the comprehensive recruitment process undertaken by the Board," says National President of Master Builders, Dan Perkins.

"The Board is confident that Mrs Wawn’s leadership will see the implementation of its vision for Master Builders as a modern, credible and influential national voice for its more than 32,000 members."

According to a workforce gender composition report by the Australian government, women workers make up just over 11 per cent of the construction industry. Wawn's appointment certainly represents a significant shift in the industry and the dawn of a new era.

"We need to ensure that women in the industry are recognised for their efforts just as much as men, particularly in large, medium and small sized businesses," Wawn told the ABC.

"It doesn't matter if you have kids or not, we do have the confidence and we do have the capacity to take leadership roles in Australia."

Wawn adds she also has plans to address housing affordability and develop the right messages to ensure the campaign for a corporate tax cut over 10 years is successful.