Leigh Cowan
Regional Director, Tailings Practice, Australia-Asia
Leigh is the Australia-Asia regional director for our tailings practice, based in our Perth, Australia, office.
Since joining Hatch in 2001, Leigh has been a strong advocate for building a more inclusive and equitable workplace, using his role as the Australia-Aisia Diversity and Inclusion Associate champion and Chair of the Regional Diversity and Inclusion Committee to champion underrepresented groups. He is known for creating environments where people feel valued and safe to contribute, and for actively challenging inequities to support fair and transparent decision-making.
In recognition of his commitment to advancing equity and inclusion, Leigh was named a recipient of the Hatch 2026 Positive Change Awards, which celebrate employees who exemplify the values of our Manifesto and actively contribute to strengthening our diverse teams.
Why do you believe in diversity and inclusion?
I believe that diverse thinking drives innovation. Our teams deliver solutions that help clients tackle their toughest challenges. When teams combine skills and knowledge from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, they generate more creative ideas and achieve better results for our clients.
What do you think we need to do as individuals to improve inclusivity?
We need to maintain an openness to change and individual improvement. We should recognize that everyone has some degree of conscious and unconscious bias, and that there are times when our behavior and mindset may fall short. As a result, we all have opportunities to self-correct, be more supportive, and embrace and celebrate differences in our teams and daily interactions.
What does positive change mean to you?
Positive change means fostering a workplace where diversity is valued, inclusion is felt every day, and everyone feels comfortable and supported to deliver better outcomes for our teams, clients, and communities.
What do you think are the toughest challenges facing our clients?
I think the pace of change is the greatest challenge facing our clients. With so many variables and external influences impacting their businesses, they need our support now more than ever.
What are you most proud of?
I am most proud of our people. Every day, I see our brightest talent stepping up to take on new challenges and excelling in stretch roles. I find the ability of our junior and developing talent to bring fresh, agile applications of emerging technology particularly inspiring.
What do you like most about working at Hatch? How do you think the Hatch culture is different from other companies?
We are all connected by a shared sense of purpose. Our collective culture is built on a solid foundation of mutual respect, and driven by collaboration and teamwork, supporting one another, and helping everyone contribute their best. That is what sets us apart.