Member Under the Microscope
Ralph Ellis - President of Operations for Asia Pacific at Wood
Ralph Ellis, President of Operations for Asia Pacific at Wood, is a self-starter with over 30 years’ experience in the energy industry.
His dedication goes beyond technical expertise; he's passionate about people and their growth. Guided by humility and vulnerability, Ralph empowers individuals to reach their full potential, fostering an environment where everyone thrives.
He recently engaged NeuroPower to delve deeper into team dynamics and unlock enhanced effectiveness through understanding psychology and physiology.
Across Asia Pacific, Ralph manages a team of 4,000 people. He is accountable for strategic vision, overall performance, growth and safe delivery of Wood’s Operations business. He oversees a diverse portfolio of contracts across oil and gas, resources, petrochemical, and water industries in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, Malaysia, Philippines, and Brunei. He considers his greatest achievement to be the impact he has on people's careers, enabling them to flourish.
His commitment extends beyond Wood. As a member of CEOs for Gender Equity since 2023, he champions diversity and inclusion, promoting policies that challenge norms.
Transparency and progress towards gender equity are at the heart of his mission. He also supports Indigenous communities by ensuring opportunities for young individuals through scholarships and traineeships, aligning with Wood's ethos of a better, more inclusive world.
After completing his mechanical engineering degree at the University of Western Australia, Ralph embarked on a dynamic career. He honed his skills in engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) and maintenance across brownfield and greenfield facilities, laying the groundwork for his leadership roles.
From exploring Australia with his then girlfriend (and now wife), to gaining global experience in Houston, Texas, his journey broadened his perspective and earned him "honorary Texan" status from his team. He returned to Perth and joined Jacobs before heading to Wood.
Currently, Ralph spearheads a global initiative to simplify operations and streamline Wood's model. His impressive project portfolio includes the Queensland Clean Fuels Project, a north-sea style alliance centred around BP's Bulwer Island Refinery, LS EPC delivery of Gulf LNG’s Regas Terminal in Pascagoula Mississippi, and sponsoring Brunei Shell Petroleum's Rejuvenation Project for their offshore facilities.
When away from work, Ralph enjoys spending time with his wife, Melissa and their three boys, riding his bike, bodysurfing, indulging in Netflix marathons with his wife, catching sports, golfing, traveling, and even conquering quiz nights!