Phil Evans joined United Construction, a company that would later become UGL, in 1987 as a young boilermaker ready for a new challenge. He wanted to grow his skills and find a workplace with strong values. What he found was an organisation that would become his professional home.
Phil’s journey began in the workshop, but opportunity quickly found him. After moving into the estimating team, he discovered a side of the business that drew him away from the tools and into the heart of project planning.
“That move changed everything for me,” he reflects. “It opened the door to estimating, project work and eventually leadership.”
Within a year, Phil was supporting UGL’s work with an aluminium industry client. He helped grow UGL’s presence from a six-person crew into a 150-strong, multi-discipline team across two major sites. What began as a six-month assignment became a 20-year chapter rich with opportunity, during which he progressed from a project officer to a senior project manager. The aluminium industry sites also became a proving ground for young engineers and future leaders.
“We trained so many people,” Phil says with pride. “Many have gone on to become general managers, business owners and senior leaders. It was a great development pipeline.”
Phil attributes UGL’s long-standing success to consistent focus on customers. Early in his career, he helped pioneer an alliancing approach centred on speaking directly with clients, understanding their pain points and delivering solutions that addressed real challenges. This mindset built trust and strengthened relationships.
“We listen to our customers, understand what they need and solve the problems that matter most,” says Phil. “That is how trust is built, and why our partnerships last.”
Outside of work, Phil is always on the move. He and his partner are keen travellers and hikers, having completed adventures from Annapurna Base Camp to the Cape to Cape track and mountain trails across Nepal and Kerala. They have also taken long-distance motorbike trips through Uluru, Karijini and the Australian outback.
After nearly four decades, Phil’s influence is woven into UGL’s culture.
“The can-do attitude has always been there. Nothing is a problem. We make it work.”
Phil Evans embodies the capability, commitment and authenticity that defines UGL.