Leadership Team
Pradeep Kumar
Project Advisor
Pradeep is the Project Advisor at Perdaman Chemicals and Fertilisers. He has over 40 years in project execution and operations in the gas-based fertilizer and oil and gas industries. His experience spans across process engineering, project control, scheduling, and forecasting, MIS reports, resource management, EPC, EPCM, P&L Management, Cost Management, Procurement and Support. He has spearheaded activities such as conducting feasibility studies, bid tabulation, licensor selection, PFD & PID review, debottlenecking, energy audits, Hazop studies, ISO implementation, PGTR & energy optimisation. Pradeep has high competence and expertise in implementing strategic business processes, highlighting major schedule impact, ensuring on-time deliverables, and plays a key role in advising on Perdaman’s urea project.
Neeraj Garg
General Manager - Projects & Maintenance
Neeraj is the Head of Project Ceres and General Manager – Projects & Maintenance at Perdaman Chemicals and Fertilisers. He is a Mechanical Engineering graduate with PMP and PRINCE2 accreditations. With over 32 years of exceptional leadership and expertise in the oil and gas industry, Neeraj brings a wealth of experience in project and construction management, encompassing the entire lifecycle of downstream projects from concept to commissioning, operations, and maintenance. His background includes working on grass root Petrochemical, Fertilizer, and LNG plants, which has provided him with a unique understanding of project implementation from both the perspective of EPC contractors and owner operators.
Neeraj have held key leadership positions within major multinational companies, where he has consistently delivered results and contributed to the growth and success of the organizations. His passion for excellence, strategic vision, and ability to drive teams towards achieving common goals have been instrumental in establishing a track record of successful project delivery.
Neeraj takes keen interest in mentoring young engineers and project management aspirants. He is a guest lecturer at Curtin University and worked as a volunteer at local PMP chapter and has organised many workshops on project management topics.
Dinesh Illath
General Manager - Operations & Technical
Dinesh is the General Manager – Operations and Technical at Perdaman Chemicals and Fertilisers. He has more than 30 years’ experience in managing world scale hydrocarbon gas processing facilities, projects, business development. His expertise lies in energy transition, gas processing areas, all aspects of LNG, LPG/ammonia plants, syngas, etc. He is experienced in energy transition, operations management, technology management, engineering etc. Dinesh is well versed in building, developing and managing teams of engineers, operators, technicians in projects, production, maintenance and external contractors, experience in working with multinational teams spread across the globe. He has the ability to think clearly and demonstrated execution of projects within budget and schedule, and has experience in managing MHF (Major Hazard Facility). Dinesh has strong technical expertise coming from his chemical engineering background and developed over time with experience; experience in process conceptualisation of integrated chemical complexes. He has extensive knowledge of all elements PFSM (Process Functional Safety Management), Safety case associated with MHF across the project life cycle including HAZOPs, LOPA, HAZIDs etc. Pre-commissioning and Commissioning experience of both greenfield and brownfield projects.
Michael Smith
General Manager - Contracts & Commercial
Michael is the General Manager – Contracts and Commercial at Perdaman Chemicals and Fertilisers. He holds a Chemical Engineering degree and a Law degree, having been a Member of Engineers since 1999 and admitted to the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 2020. Prior to joining Perdaman, he has over 30 years of industry experience, spanning across various fields and business functions. He has 6 years in research and development including commissioning and operational activities relating to synthetic fuel reactor technology with Sasol, 10 years leading teams, negotiating contracts, managing stakeholders, managing operational crises and development of project proposals in Petroleum with Shell, 5 years performing strategic planning in relation to the marketing and shipping of LNG with the North West Shelf agencies, and 10 years in Energy with General Electric reviewing and negotiating contracts and managing dispute resolutions. Michael also has a brief period practicing in Law, drafting and advising on contracts, wills, and trusts, before returning to the corporate arena in Mining with Shlam, focusing on contracts, commercial processes, and corporate risk.
Damon Carter
General Manager - Environment & Heritage
Damon is the General Manager – Environment and Heritage at Perdaman Chemicals and Fertilisers. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Murdoch University with a double major in biology and environmental science, and has acquired multiple accreditations including ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management Systems Lead Auditor, NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety, Infrastructure Sustainability Accredited Professional (ISAP), and Greenstar Associate.
Prior to joining Perdaman, Damon has compiled over 25 years of experience in environment, sustainability, and project management. For most of the past 16 years, Damon has held Senior Management and Leadership roles in the construction industry delivering major infrastructure projects in Australia, the UAE, and Qatar. His key areas of competence include Major Project Risk Assessment, Environmental Management Planning, Construction Environmental Management, Environmental Monitoring, Sustainability Rating Frameworks, Sustainability Strategy and Business Planning, Statutory and Strategic Reporting, Construction Water Management, Waste Management and Recycling, and Compliance and Due Diligence Auditing.
Damon offers a collaborative approach and management style with excellent communication skills and broad experience across the construction of major infrastructure including rail, marine, roads, process, and buildings.
John Bose
General Manager – Electrical, Instrumentation, Automation & Cyber Security
John is the General Manager of Electrical, Instrumentation, Automation & Cyber Security at Perdaman Chemicals and Fertilisers. He has a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electrical & Electronics and a postgraduate degree in business management. He is a registered Chartered Engineer of the Australian National Engineering Register (NER) in the areas of Asset Management, Electrical Engineering, Leadership and Management. He has also acquired various credentials, such as registered APEC Engineer, and International professional engineer, IntPE(Aus). He also has competence in designing and inspecting electrical equipment in hazardous areas (EEHA).
John has 32 years of experience in the Fertiliser, Oil & gas, and healthcare industries. He has provided diverse support as an expert in Engineering, Construction, Commissioning, and Maintenance, with a strong emphasis on building relationships, ensuring safety, enhancing processes, mentoring, and leading teams with talented members.
John started his professional career with one of the world’s largest engineering consultancy organisations and has extensive experience in senior leadership positions across various industries, such as healthcare, fertiliser, and oil & gas. He has been involved in numerous large-scale projects involving refineries, petrochemicals, ammonia plant, ports, and cross-country pipelines. He made notable contributions in improving safety and reliability throughout his career. The multiple safety and innovation awards John have received are a testimony of his commitment in these areas.
Ishan Rambal
Manager - Interface & Controls
Ishan Rambal, Manager – Interface & Controls at Perdaman Chemicals and Fertilisers is an integral member of the various business units of Perdaman. Holding a Master of Engineering, majoring in Mechanical Engineering with a second major in Accounting and Finance from the University of Western Australia – Ishan has a keen interest in all things technical and is proactive about developing astute business intelligence skills to better compliment Vikas and Maegha’s vision for Perdaman. He specialises in providing engineering, finance and accounting support. For Project Ceres, Ishan brings in the expertise in managing interface, stakeholder relations and controls.