Tom Branch

Background

About Tom Branch

Passionate and experienced Engineering Manager, leveraging new technologies and hands-on expertise to develop practical, high-impact solutions for complex industrial challenges. I bridge the gap between real-world operational needs and cutting-edge engineering, focusing on safety, efficiency, and innovation. At BRE Services, I established and now lead the Machine Safety Business Unit with full P&L responsibility, overseeing strategy, sales, and service delivery. A key focus is building and mentoring high-performance technical teams to execute complex projects from concept to validation. As a Senior Leadership Team member, I actively contribute to overall business strategy and have supported significant company growth (~50 to 150 FTE). My leadership approach stems from over two decades of hands-on experience, progressing from frontline electrical maintenance and design roles. This practical foundation gives me a unique perspective – I understand not just the 'how' but the crucial 'why' behind engineering designs. I thrive on translating complex technical requirements into reliable, AS/NZS 4024 compliant solutions and hold a TÜV Rheinland Functional Safety Engineer certification (completed 2019). My passion lies in cultivating a culture of technical excellence and empowering teams to deliver outstanding results while ensuring clear communication with stakeholders at all levels. Key highlights- Machine Safety Business Unit: Established end-to-end turnkey safety project capabilities at BRE Services, shaping company strategy and developing internal expertise (risk assessment, design, validation, training)- Strategic Leadership: Contributed to company strategy during a significant growth phase as part of the senior leadership team-Modernisation & Digitalisation: Developed comprehensive modernisation roadmaps and digitalisation strategies for major manufacturing clients- Capital Project Execution: Led scoping and execution of major capital projects (>$1.2M), complex safety system upgrades, and control system migrations across diverse industries- Process Improvement: Developed and deployed process automation tools, significantly improving engineering efficiency (~75% time reduction). I am keen to connect with fellow engineering and technology leaders focused on industrial automation, safety, digitalisation, and strategic operational improvements.