Stepping into the role of CICA’s new CEO, I have to admit there are some mixed feelings. I’m humbled to be given this opportunity and looking forward to guiding CICA through the next chapter, but the gravity of the opportunities and challenges ahead are not lost on me.
CICA has certainly evolved and grown – in size and capacity, and this is in a large part attributable to the work of my predecessor Brandon Hitch. A few people have said to me ‘you have big shoes to fill’, and they are right.
Where CICA sits today hasn’t happened by accident. It’s been built over time by people who are passionate about our industry and were willing to put in the work. Our life members – Bob Parker, Robert Way, Allan McPherson, John Gillespie and Jeff Brundell – had the foresight to bring people together and build something that would last. Since then, the CICA board, our volunteers, members and the CICA team have all played a part in lifting standards, improving safety and making sure the industry gets the recognition it deserves.
That’s something I’m very mindful of – there’s a strong base here, and it’s worth protecting and building on.
Moving forward, the board has set a clear direction, and my job is to keep that moving to follow through, stay focused on what matters, and make sure we’re delivering for members in a way that’s practical and useful.
A big part of that is making sure the industry has a clear and credible voice. Not just being heard, but being understood, respected and making sure we’ve got the capability behind us to back that up.
I also want to acknowledge the CICA board and the many members who’ve reached out with their support. It means a lot. Taking on this role is a privilege, and I’m doing it alongside a capable and committed team who are already putting in the hard yards for members. There’s a depth of experience behind the scenes, and a genuine focus on doing the job properly. My background is in crane operations, and I’ve spent more than a decade very closely involved in CraneSafe.
We’re now seeing strong international interest in that program, and the Green Sticker by CraneSafe is expected to expand into the United States in the coming years. This recognition and interest from our counterparts overseas is again a testament to the vision of our leaders, past and present. When Brandon was entrusted with the CraneSafe program, he was able to grow it, as was I when I later took responsibility of the program.
However, none of that progress would have been possible without the forward thinking, deep industry knowledge, and leadership of Jeff Brundell and John Gillespie. Brandon and I inherited a CraneSafe program built on the solid foundations they established; putting in place a consistent approach to crane inspections, a strong focus on safety and reliability. Our role has been to build on that foundation, ensuring the program remains practical, effective, and fit for purpose as the industry has continued to evolve.
There’s a fair bit ahead of us. Fuel prices are a challenge, regulation continues to evolve, finding and keeping skilled people has its moments, and expectations on the industry aren’t slowing down. Compliance in particular is becoming more detailed and, at times, harder to keep up with.
That’s why staying connected is so important. As our Board President, Marcus Ferrari noted in his latest report, attending CICA events is more than just a catch-up – it’s becoming essential. With changes across TMA, High Risk Work Licence, Civil Aviation Safety Authority airspace rules and Construction Logistics and Community Safety – Australia, it’s critical to stay across what’s happening and what it means for your business. It’s one of the key ways we can support you in an increasingly complex environment.
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There’s always a real opportunity to keep improving how we do things. That means building on the strong work already happening, while watching and learning from developments overseas. Alice Edwards’ recent work in Germany as part of the International Organization for Standardization’s Technical Committee for Cranes – helping shape international standards for crane design, testing and safe use – is another example of how CICA is making its mark as the industry authority.
I’d also like to welcome our new CICA staff members: Tanya Murphy, who will assist Justina as events coordinator/ secretariat and Timothy Weir, who has commenced as CICA’s CraneSafe technical officer. We’re fortunate to have skilled people bringing their experience from other sectors, wanting to be part of our industry. This is an industry we’re all proud to be part of, it’s practical, resilient and gets the job done often without fanfare.
The goal for CICA hasn’t changed: we’re working towards a crane industry that’s safe and forward-looking. It sounds simple, but takes ongoing effort to stay on track and ensure it’s in good shape for the next generation.
Patrick Cran
CICA CEO
