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Jess French, Senior Specialist Sustainability, Bassendean

From treehouses to transformation: A sustainability journey

Meet Jess, Bradken’s Senior Specialist – Sustainability, based at our manufacturing hub in Bassendean, Western Australia. Her story starts in the environment - literally. As a kid, Jess was always outside: building treehouses from scrap wood, rescuing animals, gardening and turning the world into her own environmental science lab.

That hands-on energy and keen awareness of her surrounds have stuck with her ever since. Whether she’s helping make sure Bradken maintains regulatory compliance or rolling up her sleeves on the family orchard and sheep farm just outside Perth, Jess stays grounded in what matters. She’s driven by the belief that meaningful change comes from collaboration, good systems and a bit of creative thinking.

Since joining Bradken in 2023, Jess has expanded her role from a state focus to a global one, drawing on her natural curiosity, practical mindset, and deep connection to the world around her. She brings those strengths to projects across our global operations, keeping sustainability at the heart of how we work.
Read on to hear more from Jess.
What does your role at Bradken involve and what do you like most about it? While I was initially hired as Sustainability Business Partner doing environmental advisory, compliance inspections and site reporting. As Senior Specialist - Sustainability, my role is more of a strategic one. I still get to work closely with our site teams but it’s more about improving systems, aligning with evolving legislation and standards and supporting the business deliver on its carbon neutral by 2030 goal.
I love the constant change that this role, and the sustainability sector in general, offers. It really keeps you on your toes! Requirements are constantly evolving to meet the needs of a climate constrained world. I’m a firm believer that through good sustainability management, you can drive significant improvements to a company’s financial, social and environmental performance.
And… I absolutely adore the people I work with. The culture here is genuine, people support each other, share knowledge freely, and work together to solve problems. It makes me feel valued and energised coming into work each day.
What inspired you to pursue a career in sustainability, and how did your journey into the field begin? Growing up, I always pictured myself as a Scientist or Park Ranger. I’ve just always been drawn to nature and wanted to find ways to help take care of it. This was probably influenced somewhat by my upbringing - a house full of pets, weekends spent at my grandparents' places in Kukerin, Brunswick and Mandurah, or at the beach house in Green Head, and my Mum who works in a similar field as an Environmental Health Officer.
After school I studied Bachelor of Science (Environmental Management) at Edith Cowan University, and later in life, a Graduate Diploma of Energy and Carbon Studies at Murdoch University. After returning from a working holiday in Ireland (where I met my partner) I landed my first HSE role with the City of Wanneroo as an Environmental Health Technical Officer, where I also volunteered as a firefighter. I’ve also completed a range of short courses to increase my knowledge in specific areas including Government Compliance, Fauna Handling, Noise, Air Quality, Hydrogeology and Fire Management.
What are your interests and hobbies outside of work? I’m always up for trying something new. I’ve given Roller Derby, Zen Do Kai (a modern form of martial arts) and yacht racing a go over the years. But what I enjoy most is catching up with friends, spending time with my family, and getting out into the country - whether that’s camping or sleeping under the stars on a boat. My family has a sheep farm and orange orchard about 40 minutes out of Perth, so weekends often include a bit of farm work too. It’s a great reset.
I also stay connected with others in the industry through a small professional group called the Corporate Environmental Reporting Network. We meet monthly to share ideas and keep up with the ever-evolving world of sustainability reporting.
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“Bradken has supported me by expanding my responsibilities and giving me access to new systems and challenges… The openness to innovation here, combined with access to training and mentorship, gives me confidence that I can keep growing within the company.” quote

- Jess
Jess French, Senior Sustainability Specialist, Bassendean

Inclusive. Evolving. Rewarding.

Since joining Bradken, Jess has been quietly but steadily influencing change – and while she’s not one to seek the spotlight, this hasn’t gone unnoticed by her colleagues who recognised her efforts through a nomination in the Company’s bi-annual employee awards.

“Being nominated for a Best of Bradken award really meant a lot. It’s one thing to put your head down and do the work, but when what you’re doing is seen and acknowledged by your peers, it reinforces that you bring value and your contributions matter. It definitely boosted my confidence and made me want to keep pushing for better outcomes.”

What do you think makes Bradken a great place to work? Bradken is a genuinely great place to work, and for me, it all starts with the people. Bradken caters for a diverse workforce and I’m part of a happy, friendly, and down-to-earth team where everyone brings something different to the table - a wide mix of skills, backgrounds, and perspectives.
There’s a strong work ethic across the board, and a real willingness to support one another. It’s a collaborative environment where you can have open, respectful conversations, challenge ideas, and know your input is valued. Beyond that, the leadership is open to change which means we are always looking for opportunities to improve, and there’s genuine support for growth and development. The flexibility and trust we’re given also make it easier to balance work and life, which makes a big difference.
How has Bradken supported your professional development? Bradken has supported me by expanding my responsibilities and giving me access to new systems and challenges. I’ve also had multiple training opportunities including ISO 14001 refresher and business acumen courses.
The openness to innovation here, combined with access to training and mentorship, gives me confidence that I can keep growing within the company. My goal is to continue developing as a leader in corporate sustainability and help shape strategy at a global level.
What’s your advice for others thinking about joining Bradken? My advice is to be curious, speak up and get involved in as much as you can. Bradken values initiative and welcomes new ideas, especially in areas that help us improve our sustainability, safety and efficiency. It’s a place where collaboration really matters, so building good relationships across the business will take you far. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions – there is always something new to learn here.
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