Our company and our people are the
foundation of UCS

Board of Directors

David Plumridge

Chairman & Non-Executive Director

Niel Towan

Founder & Non-executive Director

Stephen Ellich

Managing Director & CEO

Brendan Sulway

Non-Executive Director

Sam Towan

Executive Director

David Plumridge
Chairman & Non-Executive Director

David serves as the Chairman of UCS Group, Bulk Handling Australia, and Australian Beverage Holdings. Additionally, he is a Director at Trippas White Group and the Managing Director of Bridgeport Capital, a premier Australian mid-market private equity fund manager.

With over 15 years in private equity funds management, David’s previous roles include strategy consultant positions at Mainsheet Corporate (Sydney), Arthur D. Little (Singapore), and PriceWaterhouseCoopers (Melbourne). He earned his MBA from Melbourne Business School and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Monash University. David is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Niel Towan
Founder & Non-executive Director

Starting in the power distribution industry in 1977, Niel’s passion for the sector led him to co-found Underground Cable Systems (now UCS Group) in 1995 alongside close friends Ray and Kevin, with unwavering support from his family. Niel has consistently prioritised delivering timely, cost-effective, and efficient services to property developers, fueling UCS’ growth.

Over the years, Niel has built and maintained enduring friendships at all levels of the industry. Serving as a Non-Executive Director, he remains deeply committed to UCS’ vision and takes immense pride in witnessing the personal and professional growth of the UCS family.

Stephen Ellich
Managing Director & CEO

Stephen joined UCS in February 2018, bringing with him over 25 years of executive leadership expertise from guiding large, national organisations through transformative changes to achieve sustainable growth. His leadership, founded in core values and hands-on management, emphasises customer-centricity, operational excellence, and innovation, utilising strategies leveraging technology, processes, and people.

Stephen’s career includes executive roles at notable companies such as Downer, Spotless, Utility Services Group, Service Stream, Alstom, and Brambles, among others. He possesses a Master of Business Administration, a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) with Honours, and a Graduate Diploma of Company Directorship.

Outside of his professional pursuits, Stephen is involved with various not-for-profits, including YMCA Victoria and Edmund Rice Education Australia.

Stephen is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Brendan Sulway
Non-Executive Director

In addition to his directorship at UCS Group, Brendan is a Founder and Managing Director at Bridgeport Capital. In this capacity, he oversees deal origination, transaction execution, fundraising, and investment portfolio management.

Boasting over 12 years of private equity fund management at Hawkesbridge Capital, Brendan’s prior tenure includes an executive role at PriceWaterhouseCoopers. Here, he engaged in Corporate Restructuring, Project Finance teams, and significant PPP projects, M&A transactions, due diligence, and business reviews.

Brendan earned a Bachelor of Business in Accounting and Economics from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). He is a Senior Associate with the Financial Services Institute of Australia (FINSIA) and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

 

Sam Towan
Executive Director

Sam embarked on his professional journey at UCS, where he has diligently served for over 13 years, carving a niche for himself in the greenfield development industry. Over this period, he has accumulated a wealth of expertise, equipping him with an in-depth understanding of both the intricacies of land development and the nuances of the electrical network construction industry.

One of Sam’s distinguishing qualities is his comprehension of the integral components that constitute a successful project. He firmly believes that timely and quality delivery is not just an add-on but a fundamental requirement in the industry. But beyond just impeccable service, Sam places a high premium on cultivating professional, transparent, and honest relationships with partners and stakeholders. He recognises that these relationships, built on trust and mutual respect, form the bedrock of any successful project. It’s this synergy of skill, experience, and core values that Sam brings to the table, ensuring projects not only meet but often exceed expectations.

 

Management

Stephen Ellich

Managing Director & CEO

Dennis Hesketh

CFO

Sam Towan

General Manager – Victorian Greenfield Sales

Cameron Watts

General Manager – NSW/SA/QLD & Private Networks

Steven Hazelwood

General Manager – Private Networks & ASENO

Grant Whyte

General Manager – People, Culture & Safety

Abhikesh Datt

General Manager – Government & Infrastructure Projects

Troy Cravino

General Manager – Victorian Greenfield Operations

Stephen Ellich
Managing Director & CEO

Stephen joined UCS in February 2018, bringing with him over 25 years of executive leadership expertise from guiding large, national organisations through transformative changes to achieve sustainable growth. His leadership, founded in core values and hands-on management, emphasises customer-centricity, operational excellence, and innovation, utilising strategies leveraging technology, processes, and people.

Stephen’s career includes executive roles at notable companies such as Downer, Spotless, Utility Services Group, Service Stream, Alstom, and Brambles, among others. He possesses a Master of Business Administration, a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) with Honours, and a Graduate Diploma of Company Directorship.

Outside of his professional pursuits, Stephen is involved with various not-for-profits, including YMCA Victoria and Edmund Rice Education Australia.

Stephen is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Dennis Hesketh
CFO

Dennis, a seasoned Chartered Accountant, boasts over 30 years of expertise in finance leadership, predominantly in the industrial services and contracting sectors. As a highly commercial CFO, Dennis seamlessly melds his robust financial acumen with a deep-rooted commitment to customer service. This combination empowers him to significantly bolster the growth trajectory of the UCS Group. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree along with his CA qualification.

Sam Towan
General Manager – Victorian Greenfield Sales

Sam embarked on his professional journey at UCS, where he has diligently served for over 13 years, carving a niche for himself in the greenfield development industry. Over this period, he has accumulated a wealth of expertise, equipping him with an in-depth understanding of both the intricacies of land development and the nuances of the electrical network construction industry.

One of Sam’s distinguishing qualities is his comprehension of the integral components that constitute a successful project. He firmly believes that timely and quality delivery is not just an add-on but a fundamental requirement in the industry. But beyond just impeccable service, Sam places a high premium on cultivating professional, transparent, and honest relationships with partners and stakeholders. He recognises that these relationships, built on trust and mutual respect, form the bedrock of any successful project. It’s this synergy of skill, experience, and core values that Sam brings to the table, ensuring projects not only meet but often exceed expectations.

Cameron Watts
General Manager – NSW/SA/QLD & Private Networks

Since joining UCS in November 2016, Cameron has injected his extensive expertise in sales and marketing, garnered from diverse industries across both domestic and international arenas. Coupled with his robust operational management prowess, Cameron is keenly aware of the significance of fostering genuine, professional relationships. He ensures that customers have a positive experience when partnering with UCS. Cameron holds a Graduate Certificate in Management and is undertaking a Master of Business Administration.

Cameron oversees design, estimating, and customer support activities. His hands-on management style not only enables the company to swiftly adapt to shifts in customer preferences or market trends but also aids in anticipating and shaping the evolving demands of the market. By nurturing steadfast relationships with the customer base, Cameron plays a pivotal role in steering the business towards future successes.

Steven Hazelwood
General Manager – Private Networks & ASENO

Steve Hazelwood is a professional in the Embedded Network and Energy sectors, possessing over a decade’s experience. At UCS, Steve heads ASENO, where he oversees the management, operation, and installation of embedded network projects. Beyond this core responsibility, he leads teams of sustainability engineers dedicated to the deployment of commercial solar solutions and sustainable energy strategies. With an electrical trade background, Steve combines technical acumen with leadership skills, emphasising relationship-building, commercial insight, and a commitment to creating sustainable communities. Guided by a vision for future energy technologies, Steve is dedicated to balancing well-being with environmental needs.

 

Grant Whyte
General Manager – People, Culture & Safety

Grant stands out as a seasoned, commercially astute manager with a proven track record spanning various service-oriented industries. At his core, Grant excels in strategy formulation, industrial relations, executive mentorship, team coaching, safety protocols, and personnel development. Armed with an MBA and a Bachelor of Commerce, with specialisations in HR & Commercial Law, he is also a Certified Member of the Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI). Grant’s role involves leading the people, culture and safety team. His leadership ensures that UCS consistently delivers services through the lens of safety and superior quality.

 

Abhikesh Datt
General Manager – Government & Infrastructure Projects

Abhikesh is responsible for our Government and Infrastructure work. He is an experienced professional with a proven track record of exceeding stakeholder expectations. With a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering, Abhikesh has extensive experience in commercial management and project / program management. He excels in managing business relationships, operations, and stakeholder outcomes.  He is committed to delivering exceptional customer service and fostering strong professional relationships. As a member of the Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM) and Engineers Australia (IEAust), Abhikesh continues to contribute to the industry through his expertise, dedication and care.

Troy Cravino
General Manager – Victorian Greenfield Operations

Troy is responsible for all Victorian greenfields operations. With a strong dual trade background (as a qualified Electrician and Cable Jointer) and extensive experience across multiple sectors, Troy combines hands-on technical expertise with strong leadership skills. He holds a Diploma of Project Management and a Diploma of Leadership and Management, these amplify Troy’s drive for operational excellence, safety and positive stakeholder relationships. Troy is committed to advancing UCS’ purpose and consistently looks for opportunities to weave innovation throughout our delivery model.

Careers

Want to be part of our team? We are committed to providing a safe, healthy and diverse work environment for all employees, subcontractors, customers and visitors. At UCS we have a very inclusive and caring working culture and would love for you to join our community of more than 200 employees and specialty subcontractors across Australia.

UCS encourages women to join our team in any role.

See below for our current opportunities.