After four years of outstanding leadership at the helm of Victoria’s peak building and construction industry body, Rebecca Casson will step down as CEO of Master Builders Victoria (MBV) on December 2, 2022. 

Ms Casson took on the role of CEO in 2019, leading the Association through a period of positive transformation and now leaving it as the foremost industry voice and authority representing the building and construction industry in Victoria. 

MBV President, Mark Little said Ms Casson was responsible for several key changes that had transformed the direction of the Association and seen it go from strength to strength during her leadership. 

“Rebecca has undoubtedly seen the value in developing a strong industry voice – and through her leadership, she has strengthened MBV's position with a focus on our policy and advocacy efforts. 

“Rebecca steered our industry through one of the greatest challenges we will see in our lifetime. She successfully navigated the complex waters of the COVID-19 pandemic and the incredible pressures this has brought to our sector. And in recognition of her efforts in leading us through that crisis, Rebecca was inducted into the 2021 Victorian Honour Roll of Women. 

“With the support from myself, the Board, and Electoral Council (formerly the Council of Management), Rebecca has overseen significant cultural change at MBV and as part of this work, she undertook an overhaul of the Association’s constitution, and the new constitution received final approval from the Fair Work Commission in July 2022. Rebecca’s leadership on this leaves a legacy of positive change that has set our Association up for another 147 years of representing members and our broader industry. 

“Her focus as CEO has never wavered from putting members first and it is this leadership that has strengthened not only our membership value proposition but also leaves our organisation well positioned for the future and for continued growth,” he said. 

“Whilst the MBV Board has accepted Rebecca’s resignation, we have been working with her on a succession plan and a recruitment process will soon begin. Rebecca has agreed to remain connected to MBV, and the broader building and construction industry, by accepting MBV's nomination to be appointed as President of Incolink. She is the first woman to be nominated to that position in the organisation’s 32-year history, which is another acknowledgment of MBV's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

“We thank Rebecca for her outstanding leadership and contribution to the building and construction industry and congratulate her on her many achievements across four exceptional years.

Her vision and hard work leave our Association and the wider building and construction sector in a strong position as we look to the future. Her legacy will be felt for many years to come, and we wish her every success as she moves into the next stage of her career.” 

Ms Casson said that she had enjoyed her time at MBV and was looking forward to continuing to work with the Incolink Board whilst exploring other opportunities. 

“My time as CEO of Master Builders Victoria has been one of the greatest privileges of my career, and I extend my thanks to those who continue to support our great Association. I also thank the Board and members for giving me the opportunity to lead this great organisation.” 

“As Master Builders Victoria embarks on a post-pandemic phase of work, and with the conclusion of some major change initiatives that I’m proud to have overseen in my time at the Association, I feel it’s the right time for me to hand over the baton,” she said. 

“There are obvious benefits that come with experience and longevity in a role, and this should always be balanced with the need for renewal. The Master Builders Victoria team has been a wonderful group of people to work alongside, and I have full confidence and a strong sense of pride in the team as the organisation moves forward into an exciting future.” 

“It has been a true honour to be the CEO of Master Builders Victoria. There are many things I am proud of but in particular, I acknowledge our collective work in forging a new focus on specific communities in the building and construction industry, such as women and First Nation Peoples – and at the heart of all of these achievements are our Master Builders Victoria team.” 

“I look forward to continuing my involvement with Incolink and remaining closely connected to the broader building and construction industry.” 

Ms Casson will finish as CEO of MBV on December 2, 2022 when Michaela Lihou will take over as the interim CEO.