Winners of 2025 Urban Leader Awards Revealed
The development industry’s top talent and urban leaders were recognised at The Urban Developer’s 2025 Urban Leader Awards at a gala dinner in Sydney on Thursday night.
The awards, supported by Zagga, celebrates the movers, makers and tomorrow's cityshapers from across the nation.
The Urban Developer’s founder and chief executive Adam Di Marco said the awards, now in their second year, had again attracted an exceptionally high standard of nominations.
“These are the outstanding people helping shape our industry, and it is an honour and privilege to honour them with our awards,” he said.
“The Urban Leader Awards have again highlighted the talent at the forefront of our industry, the people leading the way and bringing their skill, innovation and leadership to shape the future of our nation and its built environments.”
Di Marco said The Urban Developer was also proud in its role as a national partner to to support the Property Industry Foundation (PIF) at the awards night with a raffle for a Sydney Harbour luxury cruise.
Spanning 14 categories, the awardees were revealed at a sold-out event at ILUMINA, Sydney.
Congratulations to all our winners!
Future Leader – Design & Construction (35 and under)
Tony Phillips
Alt.Form
At just 30, Tony Phillips is challenging some of the construction industry’s most entrenched conventions.
As executive general manager of Alt.Form, he has taken the business from a startup with no projects to one of Australia’s most promising prefab system providers.
Under his leadership, Alt.Form delivered its Ormond prototype in just 28 days — cutting build time by more than 60 per cen% and eliminating site waste.
A dynamic and authentic leader, Tony combines corporate experience with entrepreneurial grit, bringing visibility, diversity and innovation to an industry in need of change. He is reshaping what leadership looks like in construction.
Women’s Leadership – Emerging (40 and under)
Melissa Park and Casey Talbot
Studio Collective
Melissa Park and Casey Talbot are the co-directors of Studio Collective, an all-female interior design practice.
Together, they lead a team of 10 designers and under their leadership, Studio Collective has grown from a boutique practice into a full-service studio, delivering projects from bespoke residences to large-scale lifestyle resorts, including the $55 million Pelican Waters development.
Known for their creativity, values-led approach and commitment to sustainable, thoughtful design, Melissa and Casey are inspiring examples of women’s leadership, empowering their team while shaping exceptional spaces.
Women’s Leadership
Divya Mehta
Decode Group
Divya Mehta is the chief executive of Decode Group, one of NSW’s leading residential builders.
With more than 20 years of experience, she has steered Decode through some of the most turbulent periods in construction, achieving sustainable growth, a $1.4-billion pipeline and a reputation for trust and transparency.
Her leadership is values-driven, embedding diversity, equity and wellbeing across a 200-strong team.
Beyond Decode, Divya co-founded Funding the Future to bridge construction and finance, and serves as an Ambassador for Women Building NSW, championing pathways for women in the industry.
Community Leadership
Victoria Parker
The Lady Musgrave Trust
Victoria Parker, chief executive of The Lady Musgrave Trust, has transformed Queensland’s oldest charity into a modern, collaborative force tackling homelessness for women and children.
Under her leadership, the Trust delivers more than 12,000 safe nights each year, has expanded its housing capacity by 60 per cent and built a sustainable pipeline of future projects.
Central to her impact is Haven House — a trauma-informed, co-designed housing model with women and Traditional Owners delivered in partnership with The Property Industry Foundation.
Through bold, values-led leadership, Victoria has united industry, government and community to create lasting change and inspire a safer, more equitable future for all.
Government Leadership
Scott Langford
Housing Australia
As chief executive of Housing Australia, Scott Langford is steering the nation’s housing agenda at a critical time.
With a career spanning community housing, finance and development, he is now leading delivery of more than 13,700 social and affordable homes through the first wave of the Housing Australia Future Fund and National Housing Accord.
Langford has united governments, super funds and community providers to unlock large-scale projects, while embedding sustainability, accessibility and First Nations engagement into every brief.
Balancing strategy with empathy, his leadership is ensuring housing is recognised as essential infrastructure and delivered where it is needed most.
Architecture & Design
Michael Rayner AM
Blight Rayner Architecture
Michael Rayner AM has made a profound impact on Queensland’s built environment through landmark projects such as 111 Eagle Street, the Kurilpa and Kangaroo Point bridges, and the new Glasshouse Theatre at South Bank.
As director of Blight Rayner Architecture, he has grown the practice into one of the state’s most respected studios, entrusted with major civic, cultural and commercial commissions.
Beyond design, Rayner has shaped Brisbane’s urban strategies ahead of the 2032 Games, served as AIA Queensland President and championed pro-bono housing for vulnerable communities.
At his core, he remains driven by creating places that serve people.
Planning
Ashley Lane
Urbis
Ashley Lane, director at Urbis, is an urban planner with more than 25 years’ experience across private consultancy and local government.
He specialises in guiding major developments through to approval, applying expert knowledge of development applications, planning controls and stakeholder negotiation.
Ashley has worked on many significant projects across South-East Queensland and beyond, including 111 Mary and 222 Margaret, Carrington Tower, 180 Brisbane, Hermes Tower and Wharf Street.
He is well recognised for balancing commercial priorities with planning integrity, formulating strategies that unlock complex projects while contributing to the broader growth and livability of Australia’s urban centres.
Sustainability
Paul Hameister
Nature Based Cities
Paul Hameister OAM is the founder of Nature Based Cities, a not-for-profit dedicated to re-imagining urban development by embedding nature into the heart of design.
Through this work, Paul is advancing practical strategies that link biodiversity, health and climate resilience with the built environment. He is also executive chairman of Hamton Property Group, which has delivered more than $4.5 billion in projects across Melbourne’s inner and middle-ring suburbs.
Recognised with an Order of Australia Medal in 2019, Paul combines his business leadership with a strong commitment to sustainable outcomes that create healthier, more livable cities for future generations.
Construction
Mark Baker
BESIX Watpac
BESIX Watpac chief executive Mark Baker has steered the company through one of its most challenging periods into a new era of growth and leadership.
With more than 25 years’ experience and 15 years at the company, he has overseen a record $3.5-billion order book, delivered award-winning projects such as the Kangaroo Point Bridge and Sydney Metro Barangaroo Station and led diversification into new markets including Waste-to-Energy and fit-outs.
A board executive of the Australian Constructors Association, Mark is also championing gender equity, innovation and community impact, shaping a construction business built for the future.
Finance
Andrew Torrington
Woodbridge Capital
Andrew Torrington, co-founder, managing director and CIO of Woodbridge Capital, is reshaping how development and construction projects are financed in Australia.
With more than 30 years’ experience across property, construction and finance, he has built a platform defined by transparency, speed and governance in a sector long criticised for opacity.
In just three years, Woodbridge has doubled funds under management year-on-year, financed landmark projects nationwide, and embedded philanthropy through Woodbridge Giving.
Through values-led lending and philanthropy, Torrington and Woodbridge are proving that finance can deliver not only strong returns but also stronger, more inclusive communities.
Legal
Tina Di Camillo
Network Pacific
Tina Di Camillo, general counsel and general manager at Network Pacific, has advanced strata law and governance through practical leadership and industry-first initiatives.
She partnered with Deakin University to establish Australia’s first formal tertiary pathways in Owners Corporation management, including two academic scholarships that create new opportunities for future legal and property professionals.
Alongside this, Tina has convened major conferences addressing building defects and regulatory reform, helping to lift industry standards.
Her work reflects integrity, foresight, and a commitment to building skills and knowledge in a sector critical to Australia’s built environment.
Valuation & Advisory
Dr Kate Meyrick
Urbis
Dr Kate Meyrick is a globally respected urbanist and placemaker with more than 25 years of experience shaping cities across Australia, Asia, Europe and the US.
As a trusted advisor, she has helped governments, universities and developers define bold futures for precincts such as Sydney Olympic Park, ANU’s Kambri Village, Darling Square, and Google’s Moffett Park in Silicon Valley.
Known for her ability to bring diverse stakeholders together, Kate specialises in visioning, positioning and delivering complex urban projects.
Her leadership continues to influence how cities compete globally, attract talent and create places that deliver enduring community and economic value.
Real Estate
Tim Crooks
ResortBrokers
Tim Crooks is director of New Developments and Hotels at ResortBrokers and one of Australia’s leading specialists in accommodation property sales.
Since joining the family business in 2008, he has settled more than 240 transactions worth over $586 million, including some of the nation’s largest and most complex management rights deals.
Within the past financial year, Tim brokered 30 transactions worth $100 million, including the landmark Queen’s Wharf Residences in Brisbane, setting a national per-key record.
With deep industry networks and a reputation for strategic insight, Tim continues to connect developers, investors and operators while driving ResortBrokers’ national growth.
Marketing
Rosalind Lill-Lusby
Scape Australia
Rosalind Lill-Lusby, general manager of Brand and Marketing at Scape Australia, has guided the company to become the nation’s leading PBSA brand.
In just three years, she has launched the platform A Place for Humans, built Scape’s Creator Network of 150-plus resident storytellers, and established the Gen Z Wellbeing Index, which generated more than 25 million in media reach.
Under her leadership, Scape’s digital presence has grown to 100 million globally, with all 11 new assets reaching full occupancy in their first year.
Proptech
Nick Materia
Ready Media Group
Nick Materia is the founder and chief executive of Ready Media Group, a business he launched in 2014 to address frustrations with online property search.
Today, the company has grown into one of Australia’s most trusted proptech platforms, connecting developers, agents and investors with property opportunities across Australia and New Zealand.
Under Nick’s leadership, the business has achieved 70 per cent revenue growth in two years and maintained zero staff turnover for more than 2.5 years.
With innovations such as ReadyAI and InstaDocs, Ready Media Group is delivering faster, clearer and more efficient property transactions while setting new standards for transparency and trust.
Future Leader – Property & Development (35 and under)
Julian Sammut
Sammut Group
Julian Sammut, 34, has helped propel Sammut Group from a boutique family builder into a nationally recognised developer with a $1-billion pipeline.
As chief operating officer, he has overseen landmark projects including Vue, Coast, Palm and Parc, redefining Cronulla’s skyline and taking the brand to the Gold Coast.
His leadership style blends resilience and innovation with a values-driven culture that prioritises staff wellbeing and community impact.
From navigating volatile markets to reshaping precincts into vibrant destinations, Sammut has carved out his own legacy while honouring the generations before him—emerging as one of the industry’s next generation leaders.
Young Developer of the Year (40 and under)
Rob Gray and Andrew Gray
Graya
In just over a decade, brothers Rob and Andrew Gray have built GRAYA into one of Australia’s most dynamic, design-driven development companies.
Starting with a single toolbelt in 2012, they now lead a team of more than 100 delivering a $1-billion pipeline across Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Their projects—including Kloud, Enclave, Ivory and ARC—push architectural boundaries while redefining luxury living.
Beyond construction, the Grays have built Australia’s largest developer following on social media, using their platform to champion design, wellbeing and diversity.
Developer of the Year
Ross Pelligra
Pelligra
As chairman of Pelligra, Ross Pelligra has built a reputation for transforming under-used sites into employment hubs and community assets.
Guided by a builder’s mindset and a simple promise—deliver what people want, need and can afford—he has led projects across industrial, logistics, hospitality and health.
From redeveloping dormant assets into thriving precincts, to investing in hospitals and mental-health facilities, his work blends commercial discipline with community benefit.
A strong supporter of sport as a driver of pride and participation, Pelligra’s model is scalable, repeatable and rooted in delivering places that endure well beyond opening day.
SEQ Developers Flex Designs to Ride Towering Wellness Wave
From Underground to Skyline: The Sydney Metro Transformation
Moreton Bay Reveals Sprawl-Free Future for Surging Population
Beyond Energy Efficiency: Cutting Carbon Property’s New Frontier
