Our people

Phillip Walker

Phillip was appointed CEO of Evolution Rail in November 2016 with extensive experience in the delivery of large infrastructure projects in the rail and utilities sectors.
He previously held senior executive roles focused on managing growth, transformation and change management in medium to large businesses including Metro Trains Melbourne. As CEO of specialist asset management company Asset Co Management, Phillip was responsible for successfully commissioning and managing large Public Private Partnership (PPP) portfolios and maximising commercial returns of projects across Australia.

Phillip completed corporate recovery and restructure assignments and participated in the first Middle Eastern utility privatisation in Saudi Arabia from 2000-2003. Prior to this he worked in the electricity and gas sector in Victoria.

David Cooper

As the General Manager during the Delivery Phase, David oversees the operational readiness of the HCMT project, with oversight of the service delivery and transition into Maintenance phase.

David has over 30 years’ experience in Maintenance gained within the aerospace industry having started his career with Qantas, with the past ten years having been dedicated to Rail. In the Rail Industry, David has worked with companies such as Railcorp, in the Rollingstock Engineering Division, Downer at Auburn Maintenance Centre during the introduction of the Waratah Fleet, and UGL in both Projects and as Operations Manager of the Heavy Maintenance business for the Sydney Trains Fleet. David brings experience across Operational, Engineering and Management disciplines.

Rebecca Dunlop

Rebecca is a Director, Legal and Commercial for Evolution Rail and manages and advises on legal and commercial issues for the project. She has oversight of contract administration and management, and monitors legal compliance to minimise contract delivery risk.

Rebecca has worked in private legal practice advising on all sides of major infrastructure and transport PPP projects. Rebecca’s advisory roles on these projects have involved advising various state governments, private investors and SPVs, financiers and major subcontractors on all sides, both during bid phase and throughout the project lifecycle. In particular, Rebecca has worked on the Queensland New Generation Rollingstock Project, Toowoomba Second Range Crossing Project, Melbourne Metro Tunnel and Stations PPP, Regional Rail PPP and several other major social infrastructure projects in Australia and other international jurisdictions.

Victoria Kempe

Victoria is a Commercial Manager for Evolution Rail and is responsible for managing legal and commercial issues as the project transitions from delivery into maintenance phase. Victoria is responsible for contract administration, modifications, payments and risk management.

Prior to joining the HCMT project, Victoria has worked both in private legal practice and in house, advising on various major infrastructure projects. Victoria’s role in these projects primarily involved advising SPV parties both during the project lifecycle and in dispute. Victoria has worked in various Australian jurisdictions on projects including (amongst others) Inland Rail, the new Royal Adelaide Hospital PPP and a major Victorian hospital PPP.

Derek Cheung

As Project Engineer for Evolution Rail, Derek is focused on the Pakenham East Depot (Train Maintenance Facility) and civil components. This includes track works, road works, conduits services route, overhead power cables, signalling, buildings and car parks.

He is a Civil Engineer with 13 years' of experience in delivery and project management on multi-disciplinary infrastructure projects covering planning, design and construction of highways, railways and port facilities in Australia, and provision of professional services to major clients such as PTV, VicRoads, Metro Trains Melbourne (MTM), Yarra Trams, local councils and construction companies.

Derek spent time working in private consulting firms such as Parsons Brinckerhoff (now WSP), KBR and Meinhardt as a Design Manager and Senior Design Engineer and worked on projects that include Regional Rail Link, Melbourne and Sydney Freight Terminal Redevelopments, Webb Dock Redevelopment, South Morang Rail Extension and Melbourne Airport Extension.

Ajay Shanmugavel

As the Maintenance Services Manager, Ajay is accountable for managing the operational performance of the HCMT Project. He is also responsible for providing engineering advice on technical issues occurring during operation; and monitoring the reliability and availability of the revenue service fleet.

Ajay has significant experience in rolling stock engineering, operations and maintenance. Prior to joining the HCMT team, he was working for Yarra Trams as the Engineering Coordinator for the Victorian Government’s tram upgrade program to improve the reliability of Melbourne’s tram fleet. During his time there, he has worked in various other rolling stock engineering roles predominantly focused on delivering engineering for sub-system level maintenance and overhaul to maintain the safety of the fleet, availability and performance.

Stephanie Yeoh

Stephanie supports the CEO of Evolution Rail and the broader Evolution Rail team with administrative assistance, coordinating meetings, preparing materials, liaison across key stakeholders and internal communications.

She has worked in various industries including the public sector and the recruitment, not-for-profit and education sectors in roles focused on human resource management, internal communications and administration.