Our People

- Our Greatest Asset

At BowdenCorp, our people are the driving force behind every successful project. Led by our Director James Bowden and our Management Team, we bring together diverse expertise and a unified approach that turns complexity into clarity. Collaboration, innovation, and respect are at the core of how we work — ensuring our teams, partners, and clients move forward together with confidence.

Executive Team

Director

James Bowden

James Bowden is the Founder and Director of BowdenCorp, a company he established in 2001 to deliver projects that make a lasting difference. With more than 35 years of experience — including 25 years leading BowdenCorp — James blends technical expertise with a progressive vision: to be recognised as Victoria’s leading construction partner, shaping better communities through spaces built to last.

Known for his approachable and collaborative leadership style, James is actively involved in every project, ensuring BowdenCorp delivers on cost, program, quality, safety and compliance. He has spearheaded the company’s growth across Victoria, establishing offices in Melbourne, Geelong, Bendigo and Warrnambool, while cultivating a leadership team that embodies BowdenCorp’s values.

James is progressive, always looking for smarter, more innovative ways of working. He is resilient in the face of challenge, grounded in honesty and trust, and dynamic in his energy and drive for continuous improvement. He takes genuine pride in celebrating the success of his people and the positive impact BowdenCorp projects have on clients and communities across the state.

Regional Victoria Manager

Luke McKenna

Luke McKenna has been a key part of BowdenCorp since 2012 and leads our Geelong and Western Victorian operations. With more than 20 years’ experience, his background covers everything from architectural residential and high-density projects through to commercial developments, civil infrastructure, and complex basement works.

He is passionate about the design and construct delivery model and is a strong advocate for Early Contractor Involvement (ECI). By engaging early with clients, consultants, and project partners, Luke helps shape smarter, more cost-effective outcomes that support long-term success.

As Regional Manager, Luke oversees pre-construction activities, contract management, programming, and delivery across multiple projects. Trade qualified and with industry certifications in construction and occupational health and safety, he brings a balance of technical expertise and strong leadership.

What sets Luke apart is his connection to the region. He understands the unique needs of regional communities and is driven by the positive impact these projects bring — from schools and health facilities to local infrastructure. For Luke, it’s about combining practical solutions with a clear commitment to safety, quality, and people.

Regional Manager - Melbourne

Warren Keeble

Since joining BowdenCorp in 2005, Warren has played a pivotal role in shaping the business and now leads our Melbourne operations as Regional Manager. With over 20 years’ industry experience, he oversees projects from planning through to completion, ensuring they are delivered safely, compliantly, and in line with client aspirations.

Known for providing clarity, Warren sets expectations, ensures performance is measured with transparency, and fosters accountability across teams. His commitment to continuous improvement means he is always looking for better ways to deliver outcomes, driving both project success and business performance.

Warren’s background prior to joining BowdenCorp includes competing internationally in rowing and running his own business — experiences that reinforced teamwork, resilience and a results-driven mindset. These qualities, combined with his collaborative and solutions-focused leadership style, reflect BowdenCorp’s values and underpin the way he brings alignment across clients, consultants, and subcontractors.

Approachable and practical, Warren is respected for his consistency and ability to unite people around a shared goal. His focus is on delivering projects that not only meet expectations but also build confidence and trust with clients and communities.

Pre-Construction Manager

Warwick Johnstone

With 20 years in the construction industry, Warwick brings deep expertise across projects valued up to $150 million spanning education, health, industrial and commercial sectors. His strong grounding in design and construct delivery, coupled with his technical and tertiary experience, makes him a vital part of BowdenCorp’s leadership team.

Warwick’s career began hands-on as an apprentice carpenter and joiner, where his talent and drive were quickly recognised — earning both State and National Apprentice of the Year awards. From these early beginnings, he built a diverse career across multiple states, progressing through roles as a carpenter, site manager, project manager, estimator, design manager, and estimating manager. This breadth of experience gives him a holistic perspective that strengthens every project he touches.

Warwick thrives on collaboration, working closely with clients and consultants to set projects on the right course from the outset. His respect for people and communities shapes his leadership approach, ensuring projects are delivered with integrity and strong relationships intact.

Passionate about the future of the industry, Warwick is also a proud ambassador for the next generation of construction professionals. He dedicates time to national government training advisory initiatives, ensuring tomorrow’s leaders are equipped to thrive.

At BowdenCorp, Warwick’s approach is grounded, collaborative, and solutions-driven — shaping projects from the earliest stages to deliver outcomes that stand the test of time.

People, Culture and Change Manager

Anna Hart

With over 30 years of HR expertise, Anna is passionate about creating inspiring workplaces where people feel supported, engaged, and able to deliver their best. Before joining BowdenCorp in 2023, she spent more than two decades in the legal sector, holding leadership and specialist roles across diversity and inclusion, flexible working, innovation, learning, and organisational development.

At BowdenCorp, Anna plays a vital role in keeping our collaborative culture strong as the business grows. She partners with managers and teams to support leadership development, guide people through change, and ensure that strategies around culture and people directly support our ability to deliver quality outcomes for clients.

Anna believes that effective leadership starts with self-awareness, personal responsibility, and the courage to be open and adaptable. These values mirror BowdenCorp’s commitment to Collaboration, Innovation, Respect, and Enjoyment, ensuring our people are empowered to evolve and succeed.

Finance Manager

Peter Panagiotopoulos

Peter Panagiotopoulos is BowdenCorp’s Finance Manager, bringing over 25 years of experience across both boutique construction businesses and large ASX-listed multinational organisations. Since joining the team in 2020, Peter has played a key role in strengthening financial systems, supporting informed decision-making and ensuring the business continues to grow with confidence and clarity.

A Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) since 2005, Peter combines deep technical expertise with a practical, solutions-focused mindset. With more than a decade of experience in the construction industry, he has a strong understanding of the commercial drivers behind project delivery and the importance of aligning financial performance with operational outcomes.

Known for his calm and considered approach, Peter works closely with teams across the business to provide clear insights, manage risk and identify opportunities for improvement. He values collaboration and believes that strong financial foundations enable better outcomes for clients, partners and communities alike.

Aligned with BowdenCorp’s Evolver mindset, Peter is focused on continuous improvement — always looking for smarter, more efficient ways to support the business as it evolves and grows.

Stronger Together,
Better Together

BowdenCorp is committed to developing a diverse workforce while creating a workplace environment that promotes ongoing development and opportunities for growth within the business. Our people are highly skilled in diverse areas of specialisation to ensure we can always assemble the perfect and most qualified team for every project.

We take pride on building strong, long-term relationships by working collaboratively with clients and stakeholders to ensure all their needs and expectations are met. We also foster beneficial and enduring associations with all our partners, and have developed a vast network of architects, suppliers, and contractors who share our values and passion for delivering high-quality services. This means we’re not limited to any area or project type, as we can always craft the perfect team to deliver the best results.

100 staff across our Melbourne, Geelong, Bendigo, and Warrnambool offices
Over 500 contractors throughout Victoria
Partners selected based on our values of client-focus, quality, integrity, and economic contribution
Transparent about key milestones, objectives, and progress
Collaborative team engages and consults with stakeholders