In this exclusive interview with John Anderson, CEO of DT Infrastructure, we gain valuable insights into his leadership vision and his views on the future of the construction industry. As the company enters its next phase of growth as part of the Gamuda Group, John shares his thoughts on sustainable growth, technology-driven innovation, and the opportunities on the horizon for infrastructure in Australia. With a strong focus on operational excellence and workforce development, John discusses how the industry can address its current challenges and what lies ahead in the coming years. Read on to discover his perspectives on the evolving construction landscape and the key factors shaping its future.

FuturePlace: John, thank you for your time. How are you settling in as the CEO of DT Infrastructure?

John Anderson: The first few months flew by, and it’s been a fantastic start. Since its acquisition by the Gamuda Group, DT Infrastructure has established itself as a partner of choice for civil construction across the country. My focus since joining has been on connecting with our teams, clients, and partners to understand where we can make the most impact. The industry is evolving rapidly, and I’m excited to lead the business into its next phase of growth, ensuring we continue delivering high-quality infrastructure that supports communities and strengthens our position in the market.

FuturePlace: What strategic areas are you focused on in your role as CEO?

John Anderson: My focus is on sustainable growth and the ongoing pursuit of operational excellence. Our attention is on the sectors where we can add the most value – leveraging innovative approaches and the extensive experience in our teams to deliver quality work as efficiently and safely as possible. Investing in our people and strategic workforce planning is also critical to ensuring long-term success – a challenge we know is facing our industry as a whole. One of the ways we are doing this is by removing as many barriers to working in construction as we can, ensuring we have access to the widest pool of talent and resources.

FuturePlace: What opportunities do you see on the horizon for infrastructure development and the construction industry in general?

John Anderson: Australia has a strong pipeline of infrastructure projects, particularly in transport, energy, and regional development. The transition to renewable energy is a significant opportunity, alongside rail and road expansions that improve connectivity. Additionally, infrastructure resilience -adapting to climate challenges and extreme weather – will drive investment. The key to success will be collaboration across industry and government to ensure projects are delivered efficiently and sustainably.

FuturePlace: How do you see innovation and technology supporting these opportunities and providing solutions to industry challenges like lack of productivity?

John Anderson: Technology is transforming the way we design, construct, and maintain infrastructure. Digital engineering, automation, and AI-driven tools are improving efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing safety. At DTI we are able to leverage the investment of the Gamuda Group in technological advancements, which have helped deliver mega projects internationally. We see these tools as ways to optimise how we work, so we can meet the challenges our industry is facing, including rising costs, we are currently facing in delivering the infrastructure Australia needs – rising costs, efficiency expectations, workforce shortages and climate-friendly construction.

FuturePlace: What excites you most about the industry and the next 12-24 months ahead?

John Anderson: The scale and impact of the projects ahead excite me the most. How we deliver infrastructure projects has a huge impact on Australia’s future – whether it’s improved transport networks, the clean energy transition, or regional growth. The opportunity to lead a business and teams that contribute to this work is incredibly motivating. I’m also excited about fostering strong industry partnerships that enable smarter, faster project delivery and thinking outside of the box for how we can deliver successful outcomes for our clients.

FuturePlace: Thank you for speaking at FCON25. What part of the summit are you looking forward to?

John Anderson: FCON25 is an important platform to discuss the future of construction, and I’m looking forward to some productive discussions on the challenges and opportunities ahead. Collaboration is always key to driving meaningful change, and I’m particularly interested in discussions around productivity, sustainability, and workforce development. Sharing insights and learning from others will be invaluable as we shape strategies for long-term industry success.

FuturePlace: Lastly, if you had a crystal ball, what predictions do you have for the industry over the coming decade?

John Anderson: The industry will see major shifts driven by sustainability, digital transformation, and evolving workforce dynamics. The push for a net-zero future will likely continue to impact the applications of more innovative construction methods and approaches, including increased automation and AI to streamline operations and make projects more efficient. Additionally, workforce challenges will require new approaches to training and skills development. Those who embrace these changes and invest in adaptability will be the ones leading the industry forward.

On Tuesday, May 20th, at the 5th Annual Future of Construction Summit in Brisbane, John will join the construction leaders panel, “Unpacking the Trends and Opportunities Shaping the Future of Construction in Australia: Housing, Infrastructure, Energy Transition, Net Zero Targets, Efficient Procurement, and Fostering a Diverse Workforce.” He will be joined by five other expert construction leaders to discuss key challenges and opportunities shaping the sector and explore what needs to happen to achieve Australia’s construction and infrastructure objectives.

You can learn more about his session here.