Neil Hunt: Managing Director Mineral Systems at McLanahan
Show Host Melinda Sietsma Host — Senior Recruiter, Engineering & Supply Chain 
Show Host James MacDonald Managing Director, NTP Talent In this episode of Engineering in the Hunter, Melinda Sietsma interviews Neil Hunt, Managing Director of McLanahan Group, for a conversation that blends personal resilience, engineering leadership and an extraordinary company legacy spanning 190 years. Neil shares his unconventional career journey — immigrating to Australia and navigating multiple industry pivots — to ultimately leading one of the world’s oldest family-owned engineering businesses. His story looks at how perseverance, curiosity and the right mentors can shape a remarkable career.
Neil also dives into McLanahan’s 1835 origins and its evolution from a Civil War-era foundry to a global leader in mineral processing and Australian manufacturing. He offers candid insights into building the brand locally, the strength of the Hunter region’s engineering ecosystem, and the strategic shifts redefining modern mining.
About the show
Engineering in the Hunter (formerly Engineering Success) is hosted by Melinda Sietsma with NTP Talent founder James MacDonald. It is produced by Day One®, trusted partners in the technology space and the team that helped build Blackbird Ventures' Wild Hearts.
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