Engineering CEO receives honorary doctorate

WorleyParsons CEO John Grill has received an honorary doctorate from the University of Sydney in recognition of his contribution to the engineering profession.

An engineering alumnus graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Sydney in 1968, Mr Grill has been at the helm of WorleyParsons Limited and its earlier incarnates for 38 years. What began as a start-up enterprise - Wholohan Grill and Partners - in 1971 has through acquisition and growth become a leading ASX-listed company operating 137 offices in 40 countries. It is Australia's largest engineering consultancy.

Delivering the citation for Mr Grill's Doctor of Engineering (honoris causa) today, Vice Chancellor Dr Michael Spence said Mr Grill's outstanding leadership, business acumen and personal expertise in every aspect of project delivery has been instrumental to the company's growth.

WorleyParsons has positioned itself as a leader in design and project services to deepwater offshore developments, a fast growing sector. It is recognised as a leader in alumina process design and project delivery.

The company is a major player in the world solar market, both as an engineer and a project manager, with involvement in about a third of the world's new solar projects.

Mr Grill was named Engineers Australian Professional Engineer of the Year in 2007.

An honorary doctorate was conferred on Mr Grill on Friday, at the University's Great Hall by the Chair of its Academic Board, Associate Professor Peter McCallum.

Media inquiries: Jocelyn Prasad, 9114 1382, jocelyn.prasad@sydney.edu.au