The Crane Industry Council of Australia (CICA) has appointed Patrick Cran as its new chief executive officer, with the change set to take effect after 8 May.
Patrick will step into the role when current CEO Brandon Hitch relocates to the United States. The appointment comes as CICA continues to strengthen its focus on safety, training and industry standards across Australia.
Patrick brings more than 20 years of experience in the crane industry. Over the past decade, he has played a key role at CraneSafe, where he has been responsible for operations, systems, assessor quality, accreditation and risk controls. His background combines commercial leadership with hands-on industry experience.
During his time at CraneSafe, Patrick has overseen a number of measurable outcomes. These include successful NATA audits, the expansion of national training programs and the rollout of new initiatives such as CrewSafe and StartSafe. He has also worked closely with Brandon and the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators to secure a recent international partnership known as Greensticker by CraneSafe USA.
The partnership is seen as a significant step for CICA, strengthening its standing as an authority in crane safety and training both locally and internationally.
Patrick is well regarded across the industry for his technical knowledge and commitment to improving safety outcomes. He is known for leading complex technical projects while lifting operational standards across Australia and beyond.
CICA board president Marcus Ferrari welcomed the appointment, saying Patrick was well placed to lead the organisation into its next phase.
“We are thrilled to welcome Pat as CICA’s CEO. His extensive experience, industry credibility, and proven leadership in CraneSafe make him the perfect person to lead CICA forward,” Marcus said.
“We have no doubt that under his guidance, the organisation will continue to innovate, grow, and set the benchmark for safety and professionalism in the crane industry,” he said.
Patrick’s appointment marks a new chapter for CICA as it continues to work with industry, regulators and training bodies to support safer lifting operations nationwide.