Having migrated from Ireland in 2012, husband and wife team, Sally Ann and Andrew McDonald have built McDonald Surveys into an internationally recognised Surveying, Engineering and Technology company.
What began as a two-person outfit has grown rapidly into a significant enterprise, with more than 30 staff, including 20 rail engineering surveyors, engaged across Western Australia. A range of public and private clients keep the business engaged on several multi-billion-dollar infrastructure projects. Sally Ann insists that an investment in people and technology are at the core of McDonald Surveys dynamic growth.
CEO of McDonald Surveys, Sally Ann has over 20 years business experience. After completing her Executive MBA at Dublin City University in 2012, Sally Ann set up the business in Perth in 2008 following the Global Financial Crisis. Now a proud Australian, her remit is strategically directing the company forward, focusing on client relationships, new business opportunities and internal business management.
A passion for constantly improving service delivery has been central to the business’ success in landing contracts with major infrastructure clients John Holland and Rio Tinto over the past five years.
Growth however comes with additional resource requirements. Sally Ann says her close working relationship with Wendy Davies at the Nexia Perth office since the company’s inception has been vital in providing keen oversight and financial management.
“We have built a really strong rapport with Wendy and the team at Nexia Perth,” said Sally Ann.
“Nexia understands our business, and in a way that is far beyond your day to day accounting and compliance.
“It is the whole group service offering, not just accounting. There are many departments within Nexia that I know Wendy regularly calls on to get the advice we need.
“We went through a significant growth phase in the last 24 months and we needed long term strategic goals for the business from a growth point of view.”
As part of their growth success has been offering opportunities to both local and international talent and true to her Irish heritage, Sally Ann has helped four Irish staff migrate to join their Australian team to take up key roles. Nexia have also provided sound advice on compliance in the immigrant visa program.
“Supporting all staff with further education opportunities has been critical to maintaining service quality, not just from a surveying perspective but also for the administration and business management staff who are critical to the business continued success,” said Sally Ann.
Nexia is also set to play an integral role in the execution of a new five-year plan that involves expansion into other states.
“In the environment we operate in it is important to deliver very high standards in terms of accuracy, communication, safety and attention to detail,” said Sally Ann.
“Doing a below par-job is simply not an option. Most projects carry a critical time frame, and by a combination of our people and advice, Nexia ensures we can continue to make our clients life easy.
“We’re going to have to rely on Wendy and her team’s advice and wealth of experience more than ever as we expand outside of Western Australia.
“We’re at an advantage having worked with Nexia for such a long period of time - they understand our business. It is a partnership we can rely on.”
Sally Ann McDonald
Chief Executive Officer
McDonald Surveys
