Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, June 2025 – Tom Hourd has taken on a new role as Head of People and Culture at McNab, one of Australia’s largest integrated construction, development, and property companies. In this strategic leadership role, Tom will focus on enhancing people practices, driving cultural alignment, and supporting the continued growth of McNab’s $1 billion+ operations while preserving its deeply embedded people-first DNA.
Tom brings extensive HR leadership experience to McNab. Before this role, he served as Head of Business Partnering, ANZ at James Hardie, where he was responsible for building strategic people initiatives across the Australia-New Zealand region. His contributions helped align the HR agenda with business priorities and accelerated workforce performance in a fast-paced, innovation-driven environment.
Prior to that, Tom was Co-Founder at etonHR, a specialist HR recruitment firm he built on the foundation of real-world HR leadership and recruitment experience. Under his leadership, etonHR became known for its consultative approach and value-driven partnerships with client organizations.
Tom’s earlier journey includes nearly six years at James Hardie, where he held successive leadership roles including People and Performance Leader, Partner for Regional Functions, and Talent Acquisition Manager. His impact ranged from designing performance programs to transforming talent acquisition and strengthening functional collaboration across departments.
Tom also spent nearly two years as Talent Acquisition Manager at Goodman Fielder, where he supported some of Australasia’s most iconic food brands, and previously worked as a Consultant at The Next Step, an HR-specialist firm that helped shape his early consulting acumen.
About McNab:
McNab is a leading Australian construction, development, and property group with an annual turnover exceeding $1 billion. With a commitment to “genuine care” as its core value, McNab delivers certainty to clients by integrating its construction operations with in-house manufacturing, property development, and aligned businesses. The company is known for its collaborative approach, innovative delivery models, and people-first culture that sets it apart in a rapidly evolving industry landscape.
Read Also : HR Is Not a Support Function—It’s the CEO’s Most Powerful Growth Engine
The Fine Balance: Navigating Work, Life, and Mental Wellbeing
From Gatekeeping to Gateway Building: Transforming How Organisations Create Access
Leadership In Talent Management: A Powerful Driver for Economic Growth
