GregQuinnretiresasManagingDirector,RussellFryerappointednewMD

Australia’s largest privately owned construction company, Hutchies, has today announced the appointment of veteran Russell Fryer to the position of Managing Director.

This follows the retirement of Greg Quinn who has been Hutchies’ Managing Director since joining in 2001 and will remain on the Board as Non-Executive Director.

Scott Hutchinson, Chairman of the century old company and fourth generation family member to preside over it, described Greg as a one of a kind in the construction industry.

“Greg played footy for Brothers and Queensland in the 70s before doing a carpentry apprenticeship and running his own small building business in Ipswich – then he went on to head up Master Builders Associations in Queensland and New South Wales in the 80s and 90s.”

Greg was handpicked in 2001 by then Chairman, Jack Hutchinson AM, and Managing Director Scott Hutchinson, as the first non-family member to be Managing Director after they had worked with him during his time at Master Builders.

Scott said he remembers his father Jack telling him ‘there’s a guy at Master Builders that I reckon could run BHP.’

At the time of Greg joining, Hutchies’ turnover was $130 million, and this has grown substantially under his leadership to over $2.7 billion, along with a steady national expansion, new specialist in-house divisions including modular, cranes and hoists, building services and ESD, scaffold, training, and the biggest Indigenous employment initiative in the construction industry through Hutchies’ Statim Yaga program.

“His huge contribution has cemented Hutchies into a vibrant and dynamic construction business today – and many people across Australia are beneficiaries to the legacy Greg has built throughout our industry,” Scott said.

Greg Quinn said, “I view my term of 21 years as just a little piece in the 110 year history of the now largest and what I believe is the best construction company in Australia.”

“The reality is that Scott, Jack Snr and now Jack Jnr, myself and all of the other 1550 people at Hutchies have built the business to be the juggernaut it is now.”

Hutchies’ new Managing Director, Russell Fryer, joined the company in 1998 and has gained hands on experience in all facets of the business, including most recently Construction Team Leader and Director, overseeing the delivery of more than 400 individual projects in his time.

“Russell has built his career at Hutchies, and he epitomises our grass roots culture of growing and backing our people to be the best they can be regardless of what role they’re in.”

“He truly bleeds blue, and under his strong leadership and business acumen, will navigate the company into our next century with a focus on keeping Hutchies around for another 100 years”, Scott said.

It’s a big time for Hutchies as the company celebrates 110 years of operation while welcoming its next generation of leaders.

The company recently also appointed Director & COO Paul Hart, who joined Hutchies in 1989, along with fifth generation family-member Jack Hutchinson Jnr as a Director.

They accompany fellow Board Members who have an average tenure of 22 years with Hutchies, including Kellie Williams, Owen Valmadre, Ben Young and Penny Hoolihan.

Russell Fryer says the company is proud to maintain its unique culture, structure, and family ownership.

Hutchies recently posted its 2021/22 Financial Year audited accounts with a turnover of $2.66 billion and a debt free balance sheet of $388 million. They operate the entire company proudly under the single entity of J Hutchinson Pty Ltd.

Annually Hutchies delivers around 300 projects, valued between $100K and $500M, with 1,550+ staff, and a local presence that stretches from Cairns down to Hobart, and everywhere in between.