Shoal Group recognised in the AFR BOSS Best Places to Work 2026

Shoal Group has been named one of The Australian Financial Review’s 2026 BOSS Best Places to Work. The annual awards celebrate organisations that foster high performing, agile and resilient workplaces, recognising those that have successfully created environments where people feel motivated, supported and connected.

Shoal’s submission was centred on its People Vision – for every employee to have a career defining experience. Founder and CEO Shaun Wilson said the recognition reflects the deliberate approach Shoal has taken to building a workplace grounded in trust and connection.

“At Shoal, we want every person – whether they’re at the start of their career or bringing decades of experience – to look back on their time with us as a highlight,” he said.

“That starts with trust. We’ve designed our systems and ways of working to give people flexibility, autonomy and the support they need to perform at their best, delivering excellent results for our clients right across the business.”

Shoal’s flexible work model enables employees to shape their work around both professional and personal commitments, supported by cloud-based systems and a strong focus on outcomes. For those team members who are embedded with Defence and client organisations, Shoal actively builds in opportunities to reconnect with the broader business for learning, wellbeing and collaboration.

“Connection is a deliberate and structured part of Shoal’s culture,” said Shae Armstrong, People & Culture Manager. “Initiatives such as ‘In the Shoal Days’, program conferences, fortnightly all-team meetings and social activities ensure that employees remain engaged and connected, regardless of where they are working.”

Overall, the company’s engagement results reflected strong levels of trust, psychological safety and connection across the organisation. Shae said that these results demonstrate that high performance and strong culture are not mutually exclusive.

“The recognition reinforces Shoal’s ongoing focus on building a workplace where people are empowered to grow, contribute and do meaningful work,” she said.

The acknowledgement comes as Shoal continues to expand its work across Defence, Space, Transport, Energy and Infrastructure, applying systems engineering and advanced modelling, simulation and analysis to help organisations solve complex problems and deliver technology‑intensive programs.

“We work on complex, high-stakes projects across Defence, Space, Transport, Energy and Infrastructure markets. Creating an environment where people feel supported, trusted and connected is fundamental to delivering that work well,” said Shaun.

In 2026, as Shoal marks 25 years of applying systems thinking to complex challenges, this recognition reflects the thinking, relationships and culture that have shaped the company over time.

Shoal is a finalist in the Professional Services category, making the 2026 AFR BOSS Best Places to Work list.

About Shoal

Shoal is complex systems design company. We use Systems Engineering combined with Modelling, Simulation and Analysis to help our clients define, analyse, decide, optimise, and deliver technology-intensive projects in complex environments across Defence, Space, Transport, Energy and Infrastructure.

In 2026, Shoal celebrates 25 years of applying systems thinking to complex challenges.

More: shoalgroup.com

Media Contact

Shaun Wilson
CEO and Founder, Shoal Group
+61 438 394 288
[email protected]

Sydney, 2 April 2026