HKA adds Alasdair MacKerron and Du Preez Kirstein to Australian partner team
Global consulting firm HKA has appointed two new partners in the Australian market: Alasdair MacKerron and Du Preez Kirstein.
Alasdair MacKerron brings 35 years of experience in engineering consultancy and leadership to the firm’s Forensic Technical Services team in Perth. A structural engineer, he has led the design and development of many major construction projects in Perth, the Middle East, Russia, and the United Kingdom.
Throughout his career, MacKerron has worked on numerous projects across sectors, including residential, commercial, hotels, industrial, education, as well as infrastructure and major sports venues. He has provided advice to contractors, developers, and owners to help them develop maintenance strategies and prosecute or defend claims. He has given evidence at the Supreme Court, the State Administrative Tribunal and at Development Assessment Panel hearings.
Commenting on his new role, MacKerron said: “I’m delighted to be joining HKA and contributing to the growth of the Forensic Technical Services practice in Australia. I look forward to working alongside such a talented multidisciplinary team of experts to deliver impactful solutions to clients across the region.”
Kourosh Kayvani, Partner and International Lead of the Forensic Technical Services team, said: “Alasdair’s deep technical knowledge, international project experience and strategic leadership make him a vital addition to the team. His appointment further strengthens our ability to support clients facing complex, high-profile challenges across Australia and beyond.”
Du Preez Kirstein meanwhile strengthens the firm’s Construction, Claims and Expert capability. Based in Brisbane, he supports clients in Queensland and the wider Asia-Pacific region on major capital projects and disputes. Prior to joining HKA, Kirstein held a range of senior leadership roles in specialist project advisory and construction disputes practices, most recently as Managing Director.
Kirstein is a testifying construction delay expert with more than two decades of experience advising on some of the world’s largest and most complex engineering and construction projects. His work spans transport infrastructure, energy and renewables, oil and gas, mining, and building projects across Australia, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas.
He provides live project planning support, forensic delay analysis for contractual claims, and expert witness evidence, including under cross-examination, in adjudication, arbitration and litigation. His practice focuses on the assessment of delay and disruption issues on major projects and disputes.
“I am very pleased to be joining HKA at a time when the Australian market continues to see strong demand for robust, comprehensive and independent expert advice,” said Kirstein. “I am grateful for the opportunity to help build HKA’s presence in Brisbane, while supporting clients locally, nationally and across the wider region with the quality of work and service that instructing parties expect and deserve.”
Stephen Rae, Construction Claims and Expert Services Lead for APAC, said: “Du Preez’s appointment reinforces our commitment to investing in senior expertise in Australia. His technical depth, dispute experience and leadership will be invaluable as we continue to build our Construction, Claims and Expert capability, particularly in Queensland.”
