James Alley

National Indigenous Affairs Manager

Leading Change

National Indigenous Affairs Manager James Alley was born to lead and create change.

Originally from North Queensland near Ingham and proud descendent of the Kuku Yalanji, and Kalkadoon peoples of Far North and Northwest Queensland, James joined BESIX Watpac to lead Indigenous engagement and participation the Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

James was appointed National Indigenous Affairs Manager in 2020 and developed the BESIX Watpac Indigenous Engagement Model.

The BESIX Watpac Indigenous Engagement Model includes, strengthening relationships with Indigenous community and Traditional Owner Groups, creating Indigenous Business Forums, Job Seeker Events and Employment and Training Steering Committees on significant or strategic driven projects. It also includes a national quarterly Deadly Mob Report (National Indigenous Report capturing Indigenous employment and spend on projects) to document and grow awareness of Indigenous Affairs in all aspects of project delivery.

This national framework created the highest level of Indigenous participation for the business in history on the Queensland Country Bank Stadium and is driving engagement many of our current projects including Barangaroo Metro Station and the James Cook University Technology Innovation Centre.

In the last 12 months, James has also advocated and developed BESIX Watpac Indigenous Business supply chain register to access local Indigenous businesses and our first ever National Indigenous Staff network, cultivating a culturally safe environment for Indigenous workforce. In June 2022, James was invited by Di Farmer (Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development) to represent BESIX Watpac at the First Nations Training Strategy Ministerial Roundtable.

"My vision for BESIX Watpac is to become a culturally aware and responsive business, a leader in Indigenous participation in construction and an employer of choice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people."

#Inspired by elders

James is the son of George and Erica Alley.

George and Erica were pioneering and passionate community champions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with James’ mother’s family being subjected to the impacts of the 'The Aboriginal Protection and Restriction of the Sale of Opium Acts, 1897 to 1934'.

The Alley family spent a large part of their lives campaigning and helping to establish the Hinchinbrook Housing Co-operative for Indigenous People, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service in Townsville, All Blacks Sporting Club and Waratah Football Club in Ingham.

Growing up in Ingham, James remembers his parents as advocates and community champions, working tirelessly to help those around them and instilling in him a deep sense of purpose and drive.

A talented footballer, James spent the first half of his adult life moving around the country and working various jobs before finding his calling, first as a government employee, and then as a champion for social change.

James started in Government as an administration assistant for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC). His career in Government lasted more than 20 years and saw him move across the country from Brisbane to Canberra and back again, promoted each time and eventually reaching the level of Assistant Director.

Leaving government service in 2010, James returned to his North Queensland roots and worked for the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland creating partnerships and pathways for young Indigenous people and established his own Indigenous consultancy business.

A vision for the future

James is a passionate advocate for our business and our people, helping our projects to develop programs, engage and develop meaningful relationships with the communities they operate in.

"My vision for BESIX Watpac is to become a culturally aware and responsive business, a leader in Indigenous participation in construction and an employer of choice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people."