Andrew Roberts has struck an agreement to pay $20 million to creditors of his eponymous building company in a move that allows the former Rich Lister, who made his fortune in construction, to exit the challenged sector.

But even after the parties owed money – including unsecured trade, sub-contractors and creditors collectively owed a collective $97.1 million – overwhelmingly backed the proposal by a Roberts-controlled entity for a deal that would repay them about 57¢ for each dollar owed, the battle over responsibility remained a live fight.