Andrea McDonald – CEO & Chartered Accountant
At BRS, we are proud to have a highly motivated and passionate team that works together to deliver infrastructure and create better outcomes for our communities.
As part of or ‘Day in the Life’ series, we sat down with the directors behind BRS, chatting about their career journeys, leadership approaches, and insights for the future of both BRS and the industry.
In this edition, we were joined by Andrea McDonald to discuss her role as CEO.
1) What is your profession, and what do you love about what you do?
I am a Chartered Accountant who has progressed throughout my career to become CEO.
My background in accounting has given me a strong understanding of how financial data tells the story of a business, revealing key insights into cash flow, risk, and profitability.
Furthermore, as CEO, I enjoy turning complexity into clarity.
I focus on bringing high-performing teams together around shared goals while ensuring we continue delivering value for our clients.
What motivates me most is combining financial discipline with strategic decision-making to build trust, support our people, and successfully deliver increasingly complex projects and programs.
2) What are you most proud of / what stands out as a major milestone for the company?
I am most proud of the strong, values-driven culture we have maintained while continuing to grow through both organic expansion and acquisitions.
Through initiatives such as our Employee Share Ownership Plan (ESOP) and values-based recruitment, we have fostered an ownership mindset and a shared sense of purpose across the business.
As we’ve grown, we’ve remained committed to collaboration across disciplines and delivering positive outcomes for our clients.
One of BRS’s greatest achievements has been growing without losing the close-knit, goal-focused culture that has always defined who we are.
3) Where is the industry headed, and what challenges are you preparing BRS to face?
Sustainability, climate resilience, and the transition to net-zero are continuing to reshape the industry.
As these priorities evolve, BRS must stay ahead of changing environmental regulations, sustainability standards, and client expectations.
We are focused on ensuring our people, systems, and services continue to adapt. This allows us to help clients navigate these challenges and deliver more sustainable outcomes.
4) If you could offer yourself a piece of advice when you were just starting your career, what would it be and why?
Begin your career by actively fostering relationships with clients, peers, and mentors.
Prioritising trust and collaboration with these key stakeholders sets the stage for long-term professional growth and resilience.
These relationships will provide valuable support, guidance, and opportunities as you progress.
Furthermore, remain relentlessly curious throughout your career journey. Seeking out new knowledge and perspectives. This will help you to uncover new ideas, adapt to change, and continuously improve your approach to challenges.
Thank you Andrea for taking the time to share your insights and experience with us!
Join us as we get to know the faces behind BRS through our Director Series, sharing the stories, experiences and insights of our leadership team.
Click here to learn more!