Our Team

We think of our teams as 'one big family'

WE THINK OF OUR TEAM AS ‘ONE BIG FAMILY’

Universal Cranes began as a family crane hire business in 1993. While Universal Cranes has grown to become a national crane hire company, local families still own and operate our branches throughout Queensland and New South Wales. We are proud of all the unique stories that make up the history of our company.
ALBERT SMITH
OLIVER MARTIN
MARK HAPPER
SHANE YOUNG
KEVIN BALL
DASHELLE BAILEY

ALBERT SMITH

GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR

Albert has over 30 years of experience in the crane and construction industry. As a passionate engineer, entrepreneur and crane enthusiast, Albert led the rapid expansion of Universal Cranes from a small pick and carry hire business to a leading national crane company. Albert’s vision has always been to combine the power of a national crane hire company with the passion and service levels of a family business. He has worked closely with the local shareholders of the Universal Cranes branches in the establishment of their businesses, and continues to provide ongoing mentoring and support. Albert is a dynamic leader and talented engineer who leads his national Universal Cranes team to provide innovative lift engineering and crane hire solutions.

OLIVER MARTIN

GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

A Chartered Accountant by trade with over 20 years’ experience, Oliver was appointed the Group Chief Executive Officer of Smithbridge Group, including Universal Cranes and sister companies Smithbridge Guam and Auckland Cranes in May 2020. Oliver has led the financial management of the Group since 2010 in the role of Chief Financial Officer and later Chief Operations Officer. As Group CEO Ollie is responsible for the financial and operational performance of the group, leading the business to achieve growth and sustainability in revenue and profit, driving operational efficiency, and role modelling the leadership behaviours to maintain a high performing, engaged culture. With over 10 years’ in the Smithbridge Group Oliver is well positioned to be a key leader to all facets of the group.

MARK HAPPER

General Manager

Mark Happer returned to Universal Cranes in the General Manager role in 2017 after the completion of Smithbridge Australia contracts. Mark was the Operations Manager of Smithbridge Australia and has been a key member of the Smithbridge Group of companies for over 20 years. Prior to Mark’s appointment as Operations Manager, he successfully grew, the wholly owned subsidiary Universal Cranes Pty Ltd, to one of Australia’s largest privately owned crane hire companies as General Manager.

Mark also brings years of site and project management experience to this role from previous experience on a number of historical Smithbridge projects includ- ing the Otira Viaduct and Route PJK Expressway in New Zealand. Mark further refined his management skills as General Manager of Universal Cranes. Mark was responsible for managing and coordinating over 100 staff, growing the business and establishing additional branches.

Mark was responsible for the overseeing all projects and ensuring the successful delivery of project work. He was also responsible for the coordination of resources and personnel across the company’s projects.

SHANE YOUNG

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

A Certified Practising Accountant with 15 years’ experience, Shane joined Smithbridge Group in March 2018 as Group Reporting Manager and quickly progressed to Group Financial Controller. Now, in his role as CFO, Shane brings a background in the financial management of labour intensive operations with a passion for fostering successful teams. With a focus on supporting the operational business with data-driven reporting, and efficient and user friendly technology, Shane is leading the transformation of Smithbridge Group’s financial management to support the ongoing governance journey.

KEVIN BALL

GROUP MANAGER, SAFETY & SYSTEMS

With 20 years’ experience implementing operational and strategic risk management frameworks in the resources and construction sectors, Kevin brings a systematic approach to identifying and managing risk in complex businesses.  As a key member of the Leadership Group and working within diverse geographical and operational environments, Kevin’s demonstrated ability to leverage technology in the innovative design, development and integration of systems and processes, provides cohesive business solutions to balance current needs, future growth and promote a positive learning culture. Kevin has served as a Committee Member for Standards Australia for nearly 20 years, including the role of Chairman on the ME-025 Lifting Tackle Committee and Member of ME-005 Cranes Committee

DASHELLE BAILEY

GROUP MANAGER, STRATEGY & GROWTH

Dashelle has over 10 years’ experience in strategy and growth, specialising in strategic planning, corporate communications, opportunity pipeline management, and business improvement. Dashelle co-founded a business-to-business strategy and communications agency with a niche in the resources and construction sector. In 2019 Dashelle joined the Smithbridge Group full time, managing business improvement, marketing, and commercial growth strategies to contribute to achieving sustainable profitability for the Group. As part of a long-term succession strategy, Dashelle has been an Advisory Board Member since 2015 for Smithbridge Group. She was a nominated as a Non-Executive Director for Auckland Cranes in December 2017 until an ownership restructure saw this board absorbed into the Smithbridge Group Advisory Board.

GET SOCIAL WITH US

Contact a crane expert

Quick Enquiry

Get in touch with Universal Cranes to book a crane, organise a free site assessment, get a crane hire quote, or get advice on your next crane lift.