Multiplex's Ross McDiven named Urban Taskforce's Property Person of the Year

Ross McDiven, global chairman of Brookfield Multiplex, has been named Property Person of the Year 2012 by the Urban Taskforce Australia.

McDiven joined Multiplex in 1969 as a cadet and became chairman in 2007.

“Ross’s dedication to the one construction company over 43 years is remarkable,” says Urban Taskforce chairman Noel Hemmings QC. “Over these years, he steered the organisation into becoming a public company in 2003 and then negotiated the new relationship with the global property giant Brookfield in 2007.”

Urban Taskforce chief executive Chris Johnson says: “Under Ross’s leadership Brookfield Multiplex has made its mark on Australian cities through the construction of 743 high-rise towers and major projects to the value of $52 billion.”

Under McDiven's leadership Multiplex developed the five-star Hotel Intercontinental, its first Sydney CBD project and since has developed more than 200 projects in NSW. Multiplex projects include Stadium Australia, Chifley Tower, King Street Wharf, Campbelltown Hospital, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney Central Plaza, Parramatta Justice Precinct and the NSW Police Headquarters at Parramatta.

“Ross has seen Multiplex grow from its Western Australian base to being an international construction entity now operating in all Australian states, Asia, the Middle East, Europe and most recently in Canada and India,” says Johnson.

Multiplex Limited was listed on the ASX in 2003, and Brookfieldbought the group in 2007.

McDiven will be given the award at a charity fundraising lunch on Wednesday, December 5.  The award is in its 10th year and has raised $1.6 million for charity. Proceeds from the lunch will be donated to Warrah Disability Services and St Vincent’s Prostate Cancer Centre.

Past winners include:

• Garry Rothwell, founder and principal of Winten Property Group

• Bob Rose AM, chief executive officer of Rose Property Group

• Harry Triguboff AO, chairman and managing director of Meriton Group

• Wal King AO, chief executive Officer of Leighton Holdings

• Greg Goodman, group chief executive officer of Goodman

• Bill Moss AM, group head and chief executive officer of the Banking and Property Group, Macquarie Bank

• Lang Walker, Chairman of Walker Corporation

• Liam Forde, Chief Executive of Baulderstone Hornibrook