Ben Matthews Employee Relations Solution — HR & IR Consultant Perth
BEN MATTHEWS EMPLOYEE RELATIONS & HUMAN RESOURCES CONSULTANT
Ben Matthews Employee Relations Solution — HR & IR Consultant Perth
BEN MATTHEWS EMPLOYEE RELATIONS & HUMAN RESOURCES CONSULTANT
Specialising in providing Employee Relations & Industrial Relations advice and solutions across all industries
Dispute Resolution
Representation/Support at Fair Work Commission
Unfair Dismissal and Adverse Action Claims
Drafting and Review of Employment Contracts
Employment Law Compliance Health Checks
Agreement Negotiations
Workplace Investigations
Disciplinary Procedure Advice
Organisational Development
Redundancies/Restructure
Drafting and Implementation of Policies and Procedures
Negotiations
ER/IR Training
Development of Effective Induction Processes
Indigenous Training and Employment Programs
Bio
Bio
ABOUT BEN
Ben has 30 years of experience in Employee Relations/Industrial Relations, focusing on construction, offshore/oil and gas, and mining. He has served as an ER/IR advisor for leading national employer associations, providing consultancy and advocacy across various sectors, including hospitality and manufacturing. He has offered strategic ER/IR advice and management services on significant projects in multiple Australian states. Notably, he managed HR/IR for Chevron’s Gorgon project, overseeing a $1.53B contract and implementing a successful Indigenous Training/Employment program. Ben aims to provide practical, risk-minimizing ER/IR support while aligning employee relations with the company's vision and values.
EDUCATION
Tertiary:
University of Melbourne
Masters, Labour Law
The University of Western Australia
Bachelor of Arts (Industrial Relations)
Secondary:
Christ Church Grammar School
“The vision of your company and the values you subscribe to should not be mere platitudes on posters and websites. Their full context must be understood, shared and owned by all employees. This is only successful when the employee relations environment and culture is aligned with them.”
Ben has a degree majoring in Industrial Relations from the University of Western Australia and a Masters in Labour Relations Law from the University of Melbourne.
Experience
To win in the marketplace, you must first win in the workplace.
Experience
To win in the marketplace, you must first win in the workplace.
HR & IR Experience
National IR Manager
Kent
December 2023-Present
Management of Industrial Relations across Kent’s APAC operations
Agreement negotiations and strategy
Oversight of IR across Kent’s projects
Managing matters in the Fair Work Commission and Federal Court
Tender Bid Support and Rate development
IR Training and updates for Kent’s management team
Workplace Investigations
Overseeing and managing complex disputes
Performance Management/Disciplinary matters
Refresh and amendment of policies, procedures and guidelines related to HR/IR
HR/IR Manager
Simpec
October 2022 - December 2023
Overall management and accountability of Simpec’s Human Resources and Industrial Relations functions across Australia including:
Industrial Relations Manager
Fremantle Ports
November 2019 - February 2022
Overseeing and managing all aspects of Fremantle Ports Industrial Relations function including:
Agreement negotiations and strategy
Workplace Investigations
Overseeing and managing complex disputes
Performance Management/Disciplinary matters
Managing matters in the Fair Work Commission and Federal Court
Refresh and amendment of policies, procedures and guidelines related to HR/IR
HR/IR Manager
Ventia Pty Ltd
September 2016 - November 2019
Negotiated 5 agreements across 4 industry sectors (including 4 building code compliant agreements), provided advice and managed transfer of business risk, provided detailed strategic legal industrial relations advice, led and supported HR/IR matters on $300M+ tenders resulting in Ventia being successfully awarded 3 significant contracts. Managed and oversaw contract mobilisations and demobilisations without any claims or disputes. Managed and successfully dealt with over 12 adverse action and unfair dismissal claims at the Fair Work Commission. Managed relationships with ETU, AMWU, CFMMEU, RTBU, United Voice and the AWU.
HR/IR Director
Teras Australia
2016
Managed human resources and industrial relations for a start up Port, Marine Supply Base and Vessel Management business in NT. Included recruitment, development of policies/procedures, implementation of HR software system, restructuring, contracts and overall management of industrial relations.
General Manager - Employee Relations
Offshore Marine Services Alliance
December 2009 – November 2015
Oversaw employee relations/industrial relations and human resources for OMSA's $1.53B marine logistics contract with Chevron on the Gorgon project. At peak, OMSA managed 38 vessels and barges and contained a workforce of over 600 employees.
Workforce Services Manager
Bechtel
2008 – 2009
Provided overall employee and industrial relations management and planning for FEED stage of Santos's GLNG project. Also supported and provided strategic IR/HR advice and planning to Conoco Phillips's APLNG and Shell's QCLNG projects, all managed by Bechtel on Curtis Island, Qld.
Industrial Relations Manager
Clough
December 2006 – October 2008
Planned and managed all aspects of employee and industrial relations as EPCM IR Manager on Newmont's $1.4B expansion to the Boddington Gold Mine. Managed multiple contractors and the overall ER/IR environment for client, Newmont.
Contact
Contact
Contact Ben Matthews
Further information on my expertise, terms and conditions, competitive fee structure and service offering can be obtained by phoning 0458 240 085 or completing this enquiry form.