We have some important news to share about the leadership at Icon.

Evan’s appointment is the culmination of a planned succession process set in place four years ago. While it is impossible to consider a ‘business-as-usual’ approach in an environment dominated by COVID-19, there are some things we can control and that’s why we felt it was important to keep moving forward with the leadership transition despite the uncertainty in the wider world.

‘Browny’ has been the heart and soul of Icon for a generation and nurtured our growth into the great business we are today, with hundreds of employees and projects across Australia and most recently New Zealand. For many people Browny epitomises the culture Icon has built. His entrepreneurial and ‘can-do’ attitude flows through into the way the business takes on big challenges and succeeds. His success comes by working hard and developing open and transparent relationships with all of our stakeholders and partners.

Browny will still be involved in the business in a new role – Icon Founder / Director – focused on business development and strategic planning.

Nicholas Brown said “Icon has only ever been as successful as the people who have helped create it.  The journey has been incredible with each and every one of you and I want to thank you sincerely for helping me make my dream come true.

I want to use the strength of my network and industry knowledge to help grow the business even further.

“Anyone who has dealt with Evan since he joined Icon would agree he is the right person for the job and will captain this company brilliantly into the future.   Evan has patience, commitment, focus and energy – all qualities of a fabulous leader.  He has thrived in his current COO role, and has earned the respect and support of the Icon leadership team and Kajima. He is absolutely ready to take the next step – in fact, it’s well overdue.”

Evan has accumulated broad experience across the sector, including a decade in various roles across Australia with Brookfield Multiplex, after starting off as a graduate cadet with Baulderstone almost 20 years ago. He joined Icon nearly four years ago and was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2018.

Evan Byrne said “It’s a privilege to take the CEO/MD role but I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Browny for his commitment to his dream and his role over a long period of time  – he’s relentless and determined and we just know that it’s not going to change in the future. He’s been a great friend and mentor to me and hundreds of other people around Icon, even those who have left us.

“It is terrific news for Icon that he won’t be lost to the company. Our ability to win new work and secure opportunities through existing relationships and new ones is more crucial than ever and this will be of particular focus to Browny. I am sure and he will continue to serve our business with the same incredible speed and commitment.

“While Nick should be acknowledged for the unique role he’s played in Icon’s development, he’d be the first to admit that what makes Icon special is the people. Every one of our employees takes great pride in their role and goes the extra yard to do the job properly. We don’t want to lose that.

“If you’d ask me to write this note a few weeks back, of course it would have been different. No one could have predicted how recent events have played out and how they would have affected our nation, the economy, or business or our personal lives. But the truth is the COVID-19 issue won’t change my leadership approach. I’ll still be getting around the business learning, listening, asking questions and being genuinely curious.

“While we are all focused for now on guiding Icon through what will undoubtedly be a tough period, we also have one eye on ensuring the business is well positioned when the health risks dissipate and the economy starts to recover.”

Icon’s response to the evolving COVID-19 situation is continually changing to reflect the advice and recommendations of governments and health authorities across Australia and New Zealand.

At all times there is one constant objective underpinning our approach: Our priority is the safety, health and wellbeing of all of our employees, contractors and partners while doing everything we can to protect jobs and progress our projects.

We are focused on navigating the business through the crisis and ensuring it is in the best possible shape when we come out the other side. To do this we have been forced to reconsider our approach to everything we do. Like the Federal and state governments and companies right across our industry and the broader economy, we have been forced to make decisions that a few weeks ago would have been unfathomable.

We continue to work closely with a number of our building and construction peers, industry bodies and union representatives to work safely and productively through the COVID-19 issue. With the backdrop of uncertainty created by the coronavirus, there is no more important time to be working together.