Who are we?

The name Phronis is derived from the concept of practical wisdom, the disciplined application of knowledge through experience and judgment.

This principle continues to guide how we think, deliver, and work together.

Phronis was established to provide a focused alternative to scale-driven consulting models - combining senior technical capability with continuity, governance and delivery discipline.

Today, we operate as a structured professional services firm, supporting infrastructure programs and asset owners where technical performance and organisational accountability matter equally.

We are deliberate in our growth and clear in our purpose. Our measure is the quality of decisions and outcomes we help deliver.

Your infrastructure challenges are unique.

We bring the practical thinking, multi-discipline expertise, and independent perspective to solve them.

Technical Leadership

A snapshot of our highly experienced principal engineers and professionals. At Phronis, leadership is operational and embedded in the work, not layered over it.

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Shaun Nugent
Managing Director

Company owner and managing director of Phronis. Delivered projects up to $4B in value over his 35+ year career.

Andrew Nielsen
Structural Capability Lead

Andrew leads delivery of complex infrastructure and industrial projects across transport, water, energy and resources, combining strong structural expertise with practical project leadership.

Clint Jury
Principal Structural Engineer

Clint is a Chartered Civil and Structural Engineer experienced in asset management, infrastructure design and project delivery, leading teams and delivering solutions across all projects.

Craig Murrell
Civil Capability Lead

Craig is Civil Engineer with over 30 years’ experience delivering infrastructure across all our sectors, leading programs, policy development and major projects for government and industry.

Johan du Toit
Principal Mechanical Engineer

Project & engineering manager across mining, petrochemical & energy sectors. Delivers full lifecycle projects, leads multidisciplinary teams, with expertise in mechanical engineering and reliability.

Kevin Holder
Electrical Capability Lead

Kevin leads our electrical team, delivering multidisciplinary infrastructure projects across mining, renewables, transport and water with a focus on practical, high-quality outcomes.

Lionel Orford
Principal Electrical Engineer

Lionel is an electrical engineer with extensive experience in the design, commissioning and operation of a wide variety of electricity generation and industrial power and control systems.

Brendan Sankowsky
Wide Bay Regional Manager

Brendan leads Phronis’ Wide Bay office, delivering civil infrastructure projects for Local and State Government across Queensland and guiding multidisciplinary teams from design to delivery.

Srinivas Sadam
Project Management Advisor

Srini is an experienced Project Manager delivering complex infrastructure projects for commerce and government, with a strong track record leading major design and construction programs.

Simon Smith
Design Manager

Simon leads BIM and CADD delivery with 28 years’ experience across water, mining, energy and transport projects, driving innovation and multidisciplinary collaboration to deliver high-quality designs.

Meagan Playford
CFO

Meagan is a Chartered Accountant with twenty years’ experience. She has a passion for commercial approaches to solving problems.

"Phronis’ technical capability, practical methodology and ability to provide defensible engineering assurance added measurable value to a high-risk, time-critical project."

Jim Neal
Project Manager
, 
Downer

Our history

A measured evolution in capability and impact.

2012 - 2013

Established as an infrastructure advisory business. Within a year, expanded into Energy, Industrial and Mining markets with full civil, structural, mechanical, and drafting capability across three states.

2014 - 2016

Entered Transport and Local Government. Delivered our first international project. Extended our footprint to Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, South Australia, and Northern Territory. First $1B+ infrastructure approvals program.

2017 - 2018

Entered the Renewables and Energy sector. First $1B+ D&C and EPC contract delivery as well as $1B+ Owner's Engineer role. First large-scale water infrastructure project, designing a 21km pipeline. Footprint extended to Spain and the United Kingdom.

2019 - 2021

Extended delivery to Mozambique and India. Achieved ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 certification. Awarded a Growth Grant under the Federal Government Entrepreneurs Program. Established electrical capability. Inaugural Annual Croquet Tournament – key highlight of social calendar every year since.

2022 - 2025

Footprint across South Korea, Singapore as well as Central and North Queensland. Strategic partnerships with MyNu Energy and Veldon. Design patent achieved for a major client.

Now

Over 470 projects delivered in 10 countries. Clients keep coming back for our reliable delivery and accountability, driving continued growth internationally, domestically and into new capabilities.

Our values

Our values define the standards we hold ourselves to, in our thinking, in our delivery, and in our conduct.

Wind turbine blades emerging above fog under a clear blue sky at sunrise or sunset.

THINK. DIFFERENTLY.

We approach every project with curiosity and discipline. We challenge assumptions, test ideas, and apply critical thinking to arrive at solutions that are proportionate, practical, and defensible.

Aerial view of a modern industrial facility with a tall metal tower, large machinery, and storage tanks near a coastal area.

DELIVER. POWERFULLY.

We take accountability seriously. When we commit, we follow through - applying sound judgment, clear communication, and disciplined execution to achieve outcomes our clients can rely on.

Office meeting with a group of people standing and sitting around a screen displaying a presentation.

WORK.
WITHOUT EGO.

We work collaboratively and respectfully, supporting one another to perform at our best. We value open dialogue, shared responsibility, and a culture where contribution matters more than ego.

Our certifications

Professional credentials that back our commitment to quality and accountability. Contact us for more information about other accreditations, including Local Buy and TMR.

Discuss your project

We understand the weight of delivery. Our reputation is founded on disciplined execution, sound judgment, and accountability from decision through to outcome.

Contact us