Icon strengthens NSW leadership with executive appointments
September 4, 2020
Icon has refreshed its NSW leadership structure, with two executive appointments to drive its business across the State.
Icon has refreshed its NSW leadership structure, with two executive appointments to drive its business across the State.
Edward Whiting has been appointed Icon’s NSW Director and will lead all business in NSW, with support on strategic leadership and stakeholder relationships from NSW Executive Director Michael Read.
With 15 years’ experience working on projects across Australia, including more than a decade with Lendlease, Mr Whiting will focus on developing Icon’s growing pipeline of construction work in NSW and securing new business.
Mr Read’s strong industry networks across NSW from his time as NSW/ACT General Manager for Cockram leave him well positioned to help build Icon’s relationships across the sector. He will retain his role as Executive General Manager of Barpa, Icon’s indigenous construction company joint venture.
Diversification remains a priority for the NSW business, in line with Icon’s strategy. With about $4 billion in projects nationally, Icon has one of the industry’s most diversified workbooks by project value, sector and location and will be focused on expanding its work in the build-to-rent, student accommodation, defence, education and health infrastructure, and commercial sectors.
Icon Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Evan Byrne said “NSW is an important market for us and these appointments demonstrate our commitment to growing our business in the State. “I am delighted to welcome Ed to our leadership team as NSW Director. He will provide a fresh perspective for the business as we navigate a challenging environment across Australia for the construction sector. Ed’s energy and track record of delivering large, complex projects, balanced with Mike’s deep affiliations across Sydney and NSW from his many years leading Cockram and Barpa, will ensure the team is well positioned to build momentum as we emerge from the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic.
“Like many industries, our sector has been turned on its head by COVID and we have been impacted across Australia. The outlook remains uncertain, with new challenges emerging on a daily basis affecting how we work. Nevertheless, Icon is tenacious and we are doing everything we can to prepare for the inevitable post-COVID recovery – and we expect NSW to lead the rebound. We continue to explore all opportunities and are investing significant focus and energy on our development pipeline. The new executive appointments strongly position the NSW business for growth, and are crucial to Icon’s future success nationally. Ed and Mike will make a significant contribution to the team at a really important juncture for the business and for the broader sector.
Mr Whiting said “We’re intent on entrenching Icon’s presence across NSW, building on our established relationships and demonstrating the value we can add for our current and prospective clients . Despite the uncertainty driven by COVID, we see a real opportunity to show the market the range of our expertise as we broaden our offering to include other sectors in addition to residential. We have a great understanding of the NSW market and appreciate the State Government’s stimulus approach, proving it is well aware of the important role it can play in encouraging investment. We are ready to work with them and others to provide a platform for economic growth.”
Mr Read said “Having worked across multiple sectors in NSW, across Australia and internationally over many years, I have a thorough understanding of the strategy required to create strong cultures and a successful company. I can see the opportunity for Icon to grow its presence in NSW and I look forward to working with Ed in ensuring we deliver quality projects for our clients.”
Biographies
Edward Whiting: Since commencing as a graduate Site Engineer in 2005, Ed has worked on large, diverse construction projects across a wide range of sectors and regions for Lendlease and Icon. During more than a decade with Lendlease, he held senior Engineering roles on projects including the Gold Coast University Hospital, Craigieburn Town Centre and the Victoria Harbour high-rise towers in Melbourne. Ed joined Icon four years ago as a Senior Project Manager, leading high profile and key projects with the likes of the Shadow Play apartment tower and the Marriott Docklands projects currently under construction in Melbourne. Ed returned to his home-town of Sydney when he was appointed Icon’s New Business Manager in NSW earlier this year.
Michael Read: Mike began his career in a business development role with Cockram in Melbourne in 1998. He later gained project delivery and construction management experience in various roles in Australia, the Caribbean and the United States. During this time Mike was involved in numerous large-scale health and pharmaceutical projects for international companies. Following three years in Puerto Rico, Mike relocated to Sydney to take on the role of Cockram’s NSW State Manager. After seven years in the role, Mike was promoted to the position of General Manager overseeing the NSW, ACT and Barpa businesses. Barpa is an award-winning majority-owned Indigenous business that has delivered projects in all states and territories of Australia.
