Chris Lockwood National CEO - Chris has served as a director of Permanent Care and Adoptive Families (Inc.) since 2010, serving as Chair from 2012 to 2018, and as Secretary currently. Chris took on the role of CEO MATES in Construction (Aust.) in 2017, delivering the management and strategic direction for the company nationally. Prior to leading MATES, Chris worked for Cbus for 10 years managing strategic relationships with industry partner organisations (Unions, Employer Associations and other industry stakeholders) across the construction industry nationally. As well as managing the development and implementation of the fund’s member health strategy and initiatives aimed at reducing the incidence of suicide in the construction and allied industries. Chris has a BA (Psychology), BSc. and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Michael Stoddart General Manager for MATES' Mining, Energy and Manufacturing division – Michael Stoddart is based in Sydney. He initially joined MATES in September 2022 as the Chief Operations Officer for MATES NSW. Prior to MATES, Michael headed up Operations for the RSPCA NSW, leading a team of 400 across 7 animal shelters and 3 hospitals. Prior to that, Michael was part of the Lendlease Risk and Insurance team where he lead Global People Risk, Workers Compensation Insurance as well as being an integral part of Lendlease’s employee mental health strategy, including introducing MATES in Construction to Lendlease sites across Australia. Michael also spent 25 years with Woolworths Limited in various operational and executive HR roles. Michael has been a volunteer phone support worker and supervisor for Lifeline for 5 years, a board member and has worked as a consultant and executive coach across a number of large corporates and non for profits across Australia. Nick Thompson Queensland, Northern Territory CEO -Nick Thompson joined MATES in 2019, working with the building and construction industry to operationalise the Blueprint for Better Mental Health & Suicide Prevention in the Building & Construction Industry. With Post Graduate Qualifications in Social Work, Men’s Behavior Change and Mental Health: Trauma & Recovery, Nick brings over 15 years’ experience in the not-for-profit sector both in leadership and direct practice roles. From working with First Nation’s Communities in the Northern Territory, to Managing Domestic & Family Violence Programs for Relationship Australia Queensland, Nick brings significant leadership experience from his time as the Chief Executive Officer of the Aboriginal Family Legal Service, Southern Queensland. The son of an electrician, Nick is passionate about making sure that workers voice, and the evidenced knowledge of Blue-Collar Workers and their experience of workplace mental health, is a strong part of MATES program logic. Liam Cubbage Western Australia CEO - Liam possesses a tertiary background in Psychology with Post Graduate studies in Health Service Management. Combined with over 12 years’ experience in the not for profit and community services sector, Liam has held leadership roles in suicide prevention and postvention, family support services, drug and alcohol support and community development. Liam has been an integral member of the MATES WA team for the past 6 years and has provided the construction industry Postvention Support, Case Management and has now taken the role of CEO MATES in Construction WA. Alan Suridge South Australia CEO - Alan has been CEO of the South Australian Building Industry Redundancy Scheme Trust (BIRST) for 28 years. BIRST was instrumental in establishing MATES in Construction in South Australia and remains the major financial supporter to the organisation. Alan is a Certified Practising Accountant and has been on the MATES in Construction SA Ltd Board as Company Secretary since it was created in 2012. In January 2018 he took on the additional role of CEO of MATES in Construction SA Ltd as part of a significant restructure to the local operations. Brad Parker New South Wales CEO - New South Wales CEO - Brad Parker is the current CEO of MATES in Construction NSW, a position he has held since October 2017. Brad is a former director of several construction industry boards and committees both National & State working cooperatively with industry associations and government. These were mainly in the areas of work health & safety as well as vocational education & training related matters. Brad was previously the National Assistant Secretary of the CFMEU Construction & General Division and was a CFMEU National Executive Member.