Australasia Commercial Management of Construction Conference 2026
The Australasia Commercial Management of Construction Conference 2026 is a premier event organized by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Scheduled for Thursday, April 30, 2026, at the Shangri-La Hotel in Sydney, Australia, this hybrid conference offers both in-person and online participation options. It serves as a pivotal gathering for professionals in commercial, contract, and cost management, procurement, and dispute resolution across the Australasian region.
The conference will delve into critical topics such as dispute avoidance and resolution, including conflict avoidance processes, best practices in program and delay management, alternative dispute resolution methods, and the role of professional experts in achieving dispute outcomes. Attendees will also receive updates on recent construction law cases affecting contracts and projects, explore preferred procurement routes and their enhancements, and examine case studies of major construction projects and their commercial frameworks. The event will feature panel discussions with client-side, contractor, and consultant inputs, as well as short best practice speaker sessions.
Participants can look forward to extensive networking opportunities, engaging with a diverse range of speakers, panelists, and attendees from across Australia and New Zealand. The conference will also introduce the RICS Commercial Management Fundamentals Training program, set to launch in April 2026, providing further professional development avenues.
This conference is ideal for commercial, contract, and cost management professionals, procurement specialists, and dispute resolution experts seeking to stay abreast of industry developments, enhance their skills, and expand their professional networks.
Speakers(20)
Alex Hartmann
Partner at Hall & Wilcox
Alex Hartmann is a Partner at Hall & Wilcox and will introduce the Conference Legal Partner and discuss construction law essentials.
Allan Barclay MRICS
Executive General Manager, Commercial & Risk at Downer
Allan Barclay is the Executive General Manager for Commercial and Risk at Downer and a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Amri Denton
Partner, Advisory – APAC at HKA
Amri Denton is a Partner in the Advisory division for the Asia-Pacific region at HKA.
Colin Bond FRICS
Executive Director at HJA
Colin Bond is an Executive Director at HJA and a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Daniel Robertson
Executive Director at Twenty Two
Daniel Robertson is an Executive Director at Twenty Two and will introduce the Conference Breakfast Partner.
David Fogg MRICS
Director at iCOST
David Fogg is a Director at iCOST and a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Hayley Gilmour
Head of Commercial - Project Delivery at Laing O'Rourke
Hayley Gilmour FRICS is the Head of Commercial - Project Delivery at Laing O'Rourke and will deliver the keynote address.
James Millen
Director, Quantum at Diales
James Millen MRICS is the Director of Quantum at Diales and will participate as a panelist.
Matt Wheeler FRICS
Business Director – Strategy & Systems at Beca
Matt Wheeler is the Business Director for Strategy and Systems at Beca and a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Natasha Stephenson
Senior Commercial Manager at Laing O'Rourke
Natasha Stephenson is a Senior Commercial Manager at Laing O'Rourke and will moderate the panel on attracting and retaining women in commercial management.
Nicholas Maclean OBE, RD, FRICS
President and Chair of Governing Council at RICS
Nicholas Maclean is the President and Chair of the Governing Council at RICS.
Patsi Michalson
Dispute Resolution Manager at RICS
Patsi Michalson is the Dispute Resolution Manager at RICS and will provide an update on the RICS Dispute Resolution Service.
Paul Willis
Group Executive – Planning and Delivery at Sydney Airport
Paul Willis serves as the Group Executive for Planning and Delivery at Sydney Airport.
Rob Nelson-Williams
Director at ConnellGriffin
Rob Nelson-Williams MRICS is a Director at ConnellGriffin and will moderate the session on efficient Alternative Dispute Resolution methods.
Stacy Raymond
Commercial Manager at Laing O'Rourke
Stacy Raymond is a Commercial Manager at Laing O'Rourke and will participate as a panelist.
Steven Evans
Director at Concordia Resolution
Steven Evans FRICS is the Director of Concordia Resolution and will serve as the Conference Chair for the event.
Surabhi Kashyap
Senior Commercial Manager - Major Projects at Sydney Water
Surabhi Kashyap MRICS is the Senior Commercial Manager for Major Projects at Sydney Water and will participate as a panelist.
Viv Pachoud
Senior Quantity Surveyor at Hatch Consulting Limited
Viv Pachoud MNZIQS is a Senior Quantity Surveyor at Hatch Consulting Limited and will participate as a panelist.
Wayne Elsom
Executive Director at Twenty Two
Wayne Elsom MRICS is an Executive Director at Twenty Two and will introduce the Conference Breakfast Partner.
Áine Flannery
Principal Advisor, Contracts, Development & Technology at Rio Tinto
Áine Flannery MRICS is the Principal Advisor for Contracts, Development & Technology at Rio Tinto and will participate as a panelist.
Event Details
- Date
- April 30, 2026
- Location
- 🇦🇺 Sydney, Australia
- Shangri-La Sydney, 176 Cumberland St, The Rocks NSW 2000, Australia
- Pricing
- From $215
- Audience
- Commercial, contract, and cost management professionals, procurement specialists, dispute resolution experts.
- CLE Credits
- 5 hours structured CPD
- Attendees
- Over 500 professionals registered in 2025.