LEADERSHIP Advisory BOARD

CEO

Andy Shaw

Business: Brickies Network

With over 35 years of experience in the construction industry—starting as an apprentice, working as a bricklayer, and eventually founding and growing my own business—I successfully ran and expanded my company for 15 years, achieving a net profit margin of over 20% year on year. This success afforded me the flexibility to retire early and pursue other roles within the construction field. I've since dedicated my time to understanding building companies, traveling to teach others, and founding Brickies Network, the Bricklayers Association of Australia.

Bricklaying Business Owner Representative

Position Currently vacant

Business: TBA

TBA

Legal & Compliance

Vincent Caruso

Business: FCW Lawyers

Vincent Caruso leads the FCW Lawyers Commercial team with a client-first approach honed through extensive in-house counsel experience. Having led and mentored legal teams for major retail networks, Vincent brings this collaborative, business-minded perspective to delivering practical solutions that protect your interests and support your growth objectives.

“I focus on understanding your business goals first, then delivering practical legal solutions that help you achieve them.”

Finance & Accounting

Amanda Fisher

Business: Amanda Fisher Financial Clarity

Amanda Fisher — Chartered Accountant, financial clarity specialist, and the person business owners call when the numbers stop making sense and the stakes start feeling real.

Amanda Shows people what their numbers actually meant not just what they say.

Business owners who had always been intimidated by their finances now say things like "I finally get it."

They started asking better questions. Making better decisions and feeling in control, maybe for the first time.

Training & Workforce

Scott Nicholson

Business: Holmsglen

Scott is Head of Bricklaying at Holmesglen TAFE in Melbourne, where he leads the departments apprenticeship training. With 28 years of experience in the bricklaying industry-on the tools running his own business and employing apprentices and, in the classroom,-he understands the apprenticeship system from every angle. Scott chairs the Victorian Bricklaying TAFE teachers’ network, advocating for training quality and consistency across the state, and holds a certificate IV in Training and Assessment and a Graduate certificate of Adult and Vocational Education. Underpinning his work is a strong belief in the transformative power of an apprenticeship-reshaping a young person’s confidence, discipline, and direction in life.

ABBTF

Tony Bishop

Business: Australian Brick & Blocklaying Training Foundation Limited

Tony began his career in the construction industry in 1984, completing a pre-apprenticeship before commencing a full-time trade apprenticeship. He later established and operated Bedrock Bricklaying and Concreting, employing, and mentoring apprentices throughout the life of the business.

After a workplace accident ended his contracting career in 1998, Tony transitioned into vocational education, training, and workforce development. Since then, he has contributed to a wide range of industry training, apprenticeship and skills-development initiatives.

Tony is now General Manager of the Australian Brick and Blocklaying Training Foundation (ABBTF). He brings more than 40 years of experience as an apprentice, tradesperson, business owner, trainer, and senior industry leader.

He is a passionate advocate for apprenticeships, quality training, and practical, industry-led workforce solutions. His broad experience provides him with a strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing apprentices, employers, training providers, and Australia’s construction industry.