FULL LIST: Ipswich’s richest business bosses named
From food manufacturing company directors to property developer giants, there are a small number of millionaire and billionaire business owners influential in the city of Ipswich. Check out our list of the top 10.
Business
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As Queensland’s fastest-growing city, Ipswich is becoming increasingly attractive to both international and domestic investors.
While some of the business owners who are influential in our city are local, most have only recently come on scene from either interstate or overseas — snapping up blocks of land to develop and acquiring decades-old family businesses to revitalise.
The Queensland Times has drawn up a list of Ipswich’s most influential business people — what they are worth, what they own, and the impact they are having on the community.
See the full list:
ANTHONY BOYD, Frasers Property director
Company revenue: $1.072 billion annually
Frasers Property CEO Anthony Boyd was appointed to his current position in 2020, 15 years after joining the company and working his way up from group financial controller, general manager, executive general manager, and CFO in 2019.
His organisation has had an immense impact on the Ipswich region over the years and is currently planning a 950-home community for the former Deebing Creek Aboriginal Mission site, which is set to include 37ha of green open space, cycling and walking paths, a dog park, numerous precinct parks, and a school.
The group has also contributed $30 million to Ipswich City Council for the provision of new infrastructure within Ripley Valley.
According to Dun & Bradstreet financials, the company generates about $1.072 billion in annual sales.
BOB ELL, Leda Holdings executive chairman
Personal worth: $2.1 billion
Surfers Paradise man Bob Ell, the founder and executive chairman of Leda Holdings which owns Ipswich’s largest shopping centre Riverlink, is reportedly worth $2.1 billion.
More than nine million people shop at the centre every year, which may come as no surprise as it is one of the region’s most accessible shopping destinations.
Its major tenants include Aldi, Target, Kmart, Coles, and Woolworths, with popular mini-major tenants including Best & Less, JB Hi-Fi, The Reject Shop, Amart Sports, Limelight Cinemas, and Health World.
Since Leda Holdings completed the development in March 2006, the 61,512 sqm shopping centre has opened 160 specialty shops.
Mr Ell said Leda Holdings identified Ipswich as a key growth market more than 20 years ago and had since invested “many millions” into the district.
“(Riverlink Shopping Centre) is now one of the leading shopping outlets in Southeast Queensland and attracts millions of shoppers every year,” he said.
“Our economic reviews of Ipswich prior to building Riverlink revealed that Ipswich residents were not supporting the ailing CBD precinct, in fact they were travelling down the highway to spend more than $250 million outside the district.
“We brought that spend back to Ipswich and at the same time provided jobs for thousands of locals over the years.”
He said Leda also recently commenced a large 118-townhouse development near the shopping centre and, with Ipswich City Council’s support, will soon start an affordable housing project comprising 800 units on land near the old Railway Workshop yards.
KELLY FAMILY, Kelly Consolidated Pty Ltd directors
Company revenue: $8.276 million annually
Real estate and development company Kelly Consolidated Pty Ltd owns a large number of assets across Ipswich, including shopping centres Yamanto Central and Winston Glades at Flinders View, as well as land at Deebing Creek and Yamanto.
The Toowoomba-based organisation has owned the land Yamanto Central is located on since the 1990s, playing a pivotal role in the area’s growth and development.
Dun & Bradstreet data indicated directors James, Patricia, and Peter Kelly see an annual turnover of about $8.276 million each year through their Kelly Consolidated Pty Ltd ATF Kelly Group Trust (“JMK Retail”) operations.
BRENDAN GORE, Peet Limited CEO
Salary: $2.785 million
Redbank Plains is following in the footsteps of Springfield Lakes and South Ripley as a rapidly growing Ipswich suburb thanks to residential developer Peet Limited, headed by managing director and CEO Brendan Gore.
The company is currently building an estate called Eden’s Crossing, which features 376 homes which will be home to 1051 people.
Just around the corner from the site, residents can access $21.5 million shopping centre Eden’s Village, five high schools, a primary school, childcare, and parks and playgrounds. It is touted as a true community hub.
Redbank Plains was the city’s fifth top suburb for dwellings and additional population for the October to December quarter last year, according to Ipswich City Council, with 32 new homes built and 97 new residents welcomed.
According to Dun & Bradstreet, Peet Limited makes more than $213.335 million in sales each year.
LLEWELLYN FAMILY, Llewellyn Motors directors
Company revenue: $176.972 million annually
Located at Booval, well-known family business Llewellyn Motors has helped to shape Ipswich into the city it is today.
Dun & Bradstreet data indicated Ross Llewellyn Motors Pty Ltd — under directors Heidi, Ross, and Wade Llewellyn — makes about $176.972 million in total sales each year.
According to the data and analytics provider, the company employs 129 people.
The business commenced operations in 1991 — since growing into an empire that offers Holden, Hyundai, MG, Subaru, Toyota, GMSV, GWM Haval, and parts and services.
SUSAN LLOYD-HURWITZ, Mirvac CEO
Salary: $2.399 million
Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz is currently CEO, managing director, and executive director of property developer Mirvac, which built popular Ipswich shopping centre Orion Springfield Central in March 2007. She reportedly earns a salary of nearly $2.4 million.
The centre underwent a major expansion in 2016 and its casual dining, fashion, and entertainment offerings saw exponential growth.
Orion is now the dominant retail provider in its catchment, anchored by Woolworths, Coles, Aldi, Target, Big W, and Event Cinemas, with more than 180 specialty stores.
Dun & Bradstreet research has identified the firm as responsible for some of Australia’s biggest residential projects, commercial towers, retail centres, and industrial risings with a portfolio of more than 65 properties valued at $20.144 billion.
The company is estimated to generate about $1.781 billion in sales each year.
MAHA SINNATHAMBY, Greater Springfield founder, Springfield City Group chairman
Personal worth: $2.32 billion
The founder and visionary behind Greater Springfield, Maha Sinnathamby, is one of Australia’s most iconic entrepreneurs, having established a community that more than 50,000 people — and 11 schools, a TAFE, the University of Southern Queensland, and Mater Springfield Private Hospital — now call home.
Mr Sinnathamby has had an enormous influence on Ipswich, helping to make it the ideal place for people to relocate to and set up their lives within.
According to Dun & Bradstreet, there are 15 companies in the Springfield City Group Pty Ltd family which generate about $13.127 million in sales each year.
Mr Sinnathamby is understood have a net worth of about $2.32 billion.
SOPHIE MOORE, KEITH THORNTON, MARTIN WARD, Eagers Retail directors
Company revenue: $8.667 billion annually
Car dealership Eagers Automotive directors Sophie Moore, Keith Thornton, and Martin Ward operate a business that, according to Dun & Bradstreet, has 4342 employees across all its locations and generates more than $8.667 billion in sales every year.
Its Bundamba location offers a wide selection of Volkswagen, Nissan, and Kia cars that are popular among Ipswich residents.
The city’s longest-operating dealer, Ian Boettcher Motors, was acquired by the group in 2014, keeping a large number of locals employed.
Eagers’ most recent available annual report — from 2020 — indicated Ms Moore earned a salary of $458,333 and total share-based payments of $1,062,475.
Meanwhile, Mr Thornton earned a salary of $275,000 as well as $1,082,316 in bonus and commission and $1,498,476 in share-based payments.
LIM KIN SONG, Rockworth founder and CEO
Company revenue: $5 million annually
Redbank Plains Town Square shopping centre was snapped up by Singaporean real estate investment manager Rockworth Capital Partners in 2017 for a whopping $160 million.
A subsidiary of Sim Lian Holdings, the company manages more than $2 billion worth of assets across Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore.
The 27,000 sqm centre is anchored by tenants Woolworths, Coles, Aldi, Target, and Daiso and serves more than 50,600 residents — a trade area that is expected to more than double over the next decade.
Rockworth is estimated to generate revenue of about $5 million each year.
TRISTRAM FAMILY AND ANTHONY THOMPSON, Trisco Foods directors
Company revenue: $33.510 million annually
Directors of Carole Park food and beverage producer Trisco Foods Anthony Thompson and Ian, Merrilyn, and Michael Tristram are some of Ipswich’s biggest earners, generating an estimated $33.510 million in sales each year.
Dun & Bradstreet data indicated there are six companies within the Trisco Foods Pty Ltd corporate family that employ 74 people.
Owned and operated by the Tristram family since 1875, the beloved Ipswich brand services most parts of the world and has a strong presence in Asia.
The company was named the Premier of Queensland’s Exporter of the Year in 2019, also taking home the International Health Award in the Export Awards that same year.
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