The ATS is pleased to introduce Wayne Leslie as the new Chair of the ATS Western Australia Chapter.
Wayne is a Lead Estimator with the Georgiou Group Pre-Contracts team in Western Australia. In his day-to-day role, he is responsible for managing tender submissions, engaging with subcontractors, and supporting post-tender discussions with clients.
Wayne is originally from Shetland Islands and studied Civil Engineering at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland, and his pathway into tunnelling began early in his career. He first became involved through pipejacking projects and maintenance works on existing hydroelectric schemes in Scotland. These projects were heavily dependent on manual labour, with hard rock excavation undertaken using drilling and blasting methods. Wayne recalls the demanding cycle of two blasts per day, with manual drilling and mucking out between blasts — well before the advances seen in hard rock TBMs today. He describes this period as a formative introduction to tunnelling, marked by strong teamwork and camaraderie among crews, including a close-knit group of miners from County Mayo in Ireland.
Wayne became involved with the ATS in 2019, initially helping to arrange a joint industry event focused on the Forrestfield Airport Link tunnels, which included a presentation by Dr Karin Bäppler of Herrenknecht. His decision to stay involved was driven by the strength of the committee and a desire to give back to the industry.
As Chair of the WA Chapter, Wayne is focused on creating opportunities for industry discussion within Western Australia, strengthening engagement with young members and students, and supporting diversity across the tunnelling profession. He is also keen to maintain a broader perspective on underground infrastructure, drawing on experience and interest in international projects — particularly discussions around potential tunnels in the Shetland Isles where Scandinavian tunnelling methods may be used, similar to the recently completed Eysturoyartunnil in the Faroe Islands.
Outside of work, Wayne is a Chartered Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers and a professionally qualified reviewer, assessing candidates undertaking the chartered professional review process. Away from engineering, he is a keen rugby fan and a “very frustrated” golfer.
With a strong technical foundation, practical tunnelling experience, and a collaborative mindset, Wayne brings valuable leadership to the ATS WA Chapter and looks forward to supporting the continued growth of the tunnelling industry in Western Australia.
