Our People

Experienced people. Shared values. One team delivering together.

A people-first culture built on trust, professionalism and performance.

Right at the very core of our business is a non-adversarial approach along with a philosophy of respect for people. We are committed to the constant career development of our staff in order for them to maximise their potential. This has enabled us to build stability and capability in our workforce, including experienced professionals, individuals and teams. We are conscious that the most valuable resource we have is the strength, integrity and professionalism of the people who we employ and those who elect to join our business. Our goal is to be an employer of choice. Our culture, market profile and reputation position us well to attract and retain the best staff. We work as one team by knowing and understanding our people and their talents to deliver for our customers.

Brefni’s reputation is enhanced on each project by a committed and dedicated team of project managers, civil engineers and quantity surveyors. Our administration staff keep all Brefni operations running efficiently. The maintenance of all Brefni plant and equipment is handled by experienced mechanics and technicians. It is our team’s professionalism, our culture of ethical conduct and our hallmark standard of workmanship that will strengthen your project.

The Executive Team

Tom Brady

Founder & Executive Chairman

Tom’s sound knowledge of the construction process, strong project management acumen and proven track record in project delivery are the fundamental building blocks enabling Brefni to grow into the company you see today. Tom brings over 30 years of professional experience to the industry encompassing large scale civil, commercial, residential and high-rise construction projects. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Economics – B. Sc (Hons).

Karl McCarthy

Chief Executive Officer

Karl McCarthy joined Brefni as Chief Executive Officer, on 27 January 2026. This appointment marks a significant step in Brefni’s ambitious growth journey as the company expands its presence in Queensland and regional NSW, and deepens its engagement in the transport, defence and utilities sectors. With more than 25 years’ experience leading major infrastructure programs across transport, utilities and defence, Karl has a proven track record in driving operational excellence and strategic growth. Karl is recognised for his collaborative, innovative and progressive approach, and for being deeply values-based in leadership style. Known for building high-performing teams and partnering closely with clients, Karl’s commitment to people, purpose and process aligns strongly with our culture at Brefni.

Robert McGill

Chief Financial Officer

A Chartered Accountant with over 25 years’ experience in the accounting profession and private industry. Rob joined Brefni in 2015 and has been responsible for developing company strategy, introducing robust reporting and risk management processes and implementing corporate governance during a period of considerable company growth. Robert has extensive experience of investment analysis and M&A transactions together with operational experience in Australia, Europe and the US.

Stephen Sasse

Director People & Culture and Acting HSEQ Manager

Stephen brings an unparalleled track record and depth of experience in all facets of human capital management – including safety, productivity, industrial relations and overhead cost reduction. He has supported public & private sector clients, in Australia & New Zealand and also in the UK, Europe and South East Asia.

Martin O'Brien

General Manager Delivery

Martin O’Brien is a construction and rail executive with over 20 years of experience across infrastructure, civil works, and transport sectors in Australia, Ireland, Europe, and the UK. Throughout his career, he has successfully led the planning and delivery of major infrastructure programs, holding various roles across the Civil & Rail Construction Industry, with prominent global contractors. As General Manager Delivery at Brefni, Martin oversees multidisciplinary teams delivering complex projects along Australia’s East Coast. He is deeply committed to safety, quality, and operational excellence, and brings a comprehensive understanding of rail operations, brownfield construction, stakeholder engagement, and construction in both regional and urban environments. Martin is recognised for his collaborative leadership style, passion for team development, and focus on innovation in project delivery. His broad expertise and strategic insight play a pivotal role in driving Brefni’s continued growth and reputation for delivering high-value civil and rail solutions.

Marnie Adam

Executive Assistant & Communications Manager

Marnie brings over 25 years' experience supporting senior leaders across complex, fast-paced and highly regulated environments. Prior to joining Brefni in 2020, she held senior executive support roles at Commonwealth Bank, Bankwest and St Andrew's Australia, developing deep expertise in governance, compliance, and executive-level relationship management - including through the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry.

Known for her integrity, commercial acumen and genuine passion for people, Marnie is a skilled communicator and relationship builder at every level of an organisation. She holds a Certificate IV in Marketing & Communications and plays a central role in executive support and communications at Brefni.

Luke Wisbey

Pre-Contracts Manager

Luke has over 15 years’ experience and has successfully managed and delivered over 200 civil and rail infrastructure projects, working collaboratively with clients to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget and to a quality.

Stephen Page

Commercial Manager

A Quantity Surveyor with over 10 years of experience within the civil, rail and infrastructure industry. Stephen joined Brefni in 2019 after previously working in Ireland and the UK and was appointed as Commercial Manager in January 2023. He is responsible for the overall contracts and commercial performance of all projects, ensuring the commercial team deliver to the strategic objectives defined by the business . He was also admitted as a Member of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) in September 2022.

Oleg Malyshev

Plant and Facilities Manager

Oleg is a key member of the Brefni team, bringing over 13 years of dedicated service to the organisation. As Plant Manager, he oversees Brefni's self-performing fleet - ensuring equipment is managed with the precision, discipline and care that underpins safe and efficient project delivery across all sectors.

Oleg's deep familiarity with Brefni's operations, built across roles in both plant management, allocations, and sales, gives him an unmatched understanding of the business from the ground up. He consistently goes above and beyond, embodying Brefni's values of safety, integrity, and collaboration in everything he does.

Our Community

At Brefni we take pride in giving back to the communities in which we operate. We demonstrate our commitment through staff engagement and initiatives such as the Vinnies CEO Sleepout, an annual event where CEOs sleep rough for one night to help change the lives of Australians in need, and OzHarvest, Australia’s leading food rescue organisation, which we are proud to support through donations to help nourish people in need.

In the past, our team participated in the Oxfam Trailwalker, an inspiring and challenging event where every step helped raise vital funds to support people living in poverty.

Each year we recognise R U OK? Day and Rail R U OK? Day — moments that remind us to check in with our people, colleagues, and community, and to have the conversations that matter most. Because a simple question can change a life, or save one.

We also participate in initiatives that support the communities we work in, partnering with CAN Assist’s for the Deni Poker Run in 2026, and the RTAA PWI Soccer Cup — an event we have been proud to support in both 2025 and 2026 — which promotes the mental health and wellbeing of the rail industry by building connections and encouraging everyday conversations that matter, in the spirit of R U OK? Day.

Major Charitable Sponsorships & Contributions

The Vinnies CEO Sleepout is a one-night event over one of the longest and coldest nights of the year. Hundreds of CEOs and leaders of business, community and government sleep outdoors to support the many Australians who are experiencing homelessness and people at risk of homelessness. Each CEO Sleepout participant commits to fundraising to help Vinnies provide essential services to the people who need them most.

Brefni’s Executive Chairman Tom Brady first participated in 2011, and Tom has continued to participate each year since, raising over $700,000 to help break the devastating cycle of homelessness.

Brefni participated in the 100km Sydney Trailwalker in 2013, 2019, 2022, and 2023, where around 1,500 teams took part in Oxfam Trailwalker across Australia, with the support of more than 2,000 volunteers and 4,500 support crew members. Before it officially ended its 25-year run, the Oxfam Trailwalker Australia raised more than $100 million for Oxfam’s global programs fighting poverty and inequality.