Each year, we celebrate the outstanding contributions of our long-serving team members. This year, we celebrate and congratulate Hamed Sharafizad on a remarkable 20 years with Clough, part of Webuild in Australia. This is Hamed’s amazing career journey…

“I began my journey with Clough in July 2001 as a Discipline Electrical Engineer after returning from project work overseas. Before that, I had started my career as a graduate in the energy industry in Perth, where I gained early exposure to EPC contracting while contributing to major oil and gas projects. 

“When I decided to return to the sector, Clough was the natural choice. It was widely recognised for its strong engineering capability and was at its peak, delivering multiple major projects, so joining the team was an easy decision.

“Since then, I have contributed to more than 10 EPC projects, over 20 conceptual studies and 10+ FEEDs, along with numerous other assignments. I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with multicultural project teams across India, PNG, Singapore, Europe, Malaysia, Indonesia and the United States, which has been incredibly rewarding both professionally and personally.

“After a brief departure in 2004, I rejoined Clough in 2005 as a Senior Electrical Engineer and later advanced to Lead Engineer. In 2007, I unexpectedly stepped into the Chief Engineer position. I initially questioned whether I was ready for that level of responsibility, but I was fortunate to be surrounded by a strong team who believed in me. Any success I have achieved has been made possible through the continued collaboration and support of colleagues across all functions in the business.

“Meeting Harold Clough was a defining moment in my career. His passion for engineering and his reflections on Clough’s achievements left a lasting impression and energised me. Successfully delivering every project, particularly the more challenging ones, has always been a source of great pride. Beyond the projects themselves, what stands out most is the privilege of working alongside such talented people. I am equally proud to contribute to the development of the next generation of engineers through our internship and graduate programs, and by supporting universities through advisory panels and guest lecturing at UWA.

“What has kept me here for more than 20 years is the unique combination of a strong engineering culture, exceptional people and continuous opportunities for growth through challenging projects. From the beginning, I have been inspired by the passion for engineering that defines the organisation. The opportunity to collaborate with talented colleagues, OEMs and vendors on complex projects has been deeply rewarding. Equally important is our commitment to developing future engineers, which has become a meaningful part of my own journey. It’s the support, collaboration and shared vision that have made this a workplace I’m proud to call home for more than two decades.

“There have been many changes over that time, but three stand out. In my early days, entire sections of the office were dedicated to document control, filled with photocopiers, printers, filing cabinets and folders. Today, the reliance on paper has been virtually eliminated. Safety has also evolved significantly. It was once largely compliance driven, whereas today it is embedded into every stage of project planning and execution. Encouragingly, this mindset is instilled early in our interns and graduates, so safety leadership develops from the grassroots level. Sustainability is another major shift. What was once considered a “nice to have” is now an expectation, making sustainability integral to how we design and deliver projects.

“Clough has always delivered EPC projects across a range of market sectors, but with Webuild we are now exposed to an even broader portfolio of sectors and opportunities. This expanded reach is a strong differentiator. It enhances the depth and diversity of projects available to our engineers, strengthens our position in the market and provides exposure to new sectors and larger opportunities. That can only elevate our capability and help us attract experienced talent.

“One of the most important lessons I have learned along the way is not to take constructive criticism personally. It is easy to go down that rabbit hole, and I certainly did in my first year out of university. A senior engineer once took me aside and gave me some tough but valuable advice. I still remember his words and try to apply them whenever I am confronted with criticism.

“For those starting or growing their career, my advice is simple: do not cut corners. Take the time to earn your stripes. Ambition should never outpace the development of a strong foundation. To become a successful industry leader, it is vital to work through projects from E through P and C, gaining real hands-on experience. It is one thing to issue a drawing, but another to ensure it is constructible. The only way to learn that is through experience, and failure is part of that process. It’s how you grow.

“I often encourage graduates and developing engineers to be a sponge. Absorb knowledge and experience from those around you across all areas of the business. No learning opportunity should be ignored, whether technical or practical. Every experience adds to your ability to contribute meaningfully. Anything less limits your growth as the next generation of industry leaders.

“Finally, I would simply like to thank the engineering teams for the collaboration and dedication that goes into every project. It is always a privilege to work alongside professionals who care deeply about quality, safety and delivering value.” 

Ends -