Q&A with Darren Houston - HSEQ Leadership at Connected
Darren drives Connected's uncompromising commitment to safety excellence and operational precision. With deep expertise across complex infrastructure delivery, from hyperscale data centres to regulated pharmaceutical facilities, Darren has forged his reputation on one fundamental principle: every worker leaves site exactly as they arrived.
His methodology combines rigorous technical mastery with hands-on coaching, ensuring our subcontractors and site teams don't simply meet compliance standards, they redefine them. Darren's systematic approach to risk elimination and continuous improvement has achieved zero fatalities across his entire project portfolio, creating the safety foundation that enables Connected's accelerated delivery capabilities.
From mastering complex regulatory landscapes across Australian jurisdictions to deploying advanced safety technologies, Darren ensures Connected remains at the cutting edge of construction safety and quality performance. His vision transcends traditional compliance, creating environments where technical excellence and safety outcomes amplify each other to deliver exceptional results.
We spoke with Darren to unveil his career experience, and shine a light on his vision for Connected in terms of HSEQ…
Q: Looking back at projects from the Google Data Centre to your current role, which achievement are you most proud of and why?
A: My greatest achievement is developing a safety-first culture that brings everyone home safely, every day. I'm passionate about coaching and mentoring workers to operate at their highest potential whilst maintaining zero compromise on safety standards. Across every project I've led, we've achieved zero fatalities, a record I'm deeply proud of because it represents real people, real families, and real lives protected through rigorous planning and execution.
Q: Many people assume smaller projects are easier from a safety perspective. What's your experience working on Connected's current Melbourne small site project?
A: That's a dangerous misconception that I encounter regularly. Smaller sites actually present unique and complex safety challenges that require even more sophisticated risk management. On our current Melbourne project, we're dealing with compressed work zones where every square metre matters. Working at height becomes exponentially more challenging when EWPs can't access the site and we're relying on platform ladders that create exclusion zone conflicts in already limited walkways.
The housekeeping challenges alone are significant. Without proper laydown areas, materials and equipment create constant trip hazards, and as the interior develops, these obstacles multiply. We're managing multiple trades in the same confined spaces, which means noise exposure affects everyone regardless of location, and airborne contaminants from welding or chemical processes can't be isolated effectively. Every risk mitigation strategy must be reimagined for the spatial constraints, making small sites some of the most technically demanding projects we undertake.
Q: The industry evolves rapidly with new technologies and regulations. How do you and your team stay current with emerging trends and requirements?
A: We maintain our competitive edge through systematic knowledge management. I continuously monitor WHS legislation across all Australian jurisdictions, ensuring Connected's policies and contractor requirements reflect the latest regulatory developments. This intelligence flows directly into regular site audits and team briefings, creating a feedback loop that keeps us ahead of compliance requirements rather than reactive to them.
Q: Where do you see Connected in 5 years? What markets or capabilities are you most excited to develop?
A: Connected will be the go-to specialist for Australia's most complex construction challenges. I'm particularly excited about our expansion into hyperscale data centres, projects that demand the precision, technical sophistication and scale that Connected delivers naturally. These facilities represent the perfect intersection of our capabilities: complex technical requirements, demanding timelines, and zero tolerance for error.
Q: What was the most technically challenging aspect in current Connected projects?
A: Transitioning our entire contractor ecosystem from SignOnSite to HammerTech mid-project required surgical precision. Rather than disrupting active workflows, we developed a parallel onboarding system that maintained productivity while ensuring every worker, license, and SWMS transferred seamlessly. The challenge wasn't just technical, it was coordinating 200+ contractors through a new system without missing a beat on delivery.
Q: Given your experience with European projects, are there opportunities for Connected to expand internationally?
A: Absolutely. European markets are experiencing unprecedented demand for hyperscale data centres and pharmaceutical facilities, exactly where Connected excels. Countries like Ireland, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark and Sweden offer immediate opportunities to establish relationships with global clients who operate across multiple continents. Success there creates a multiplier effect, opening doors to projects worldwide and positioning Connected as a truly global specialist.