At Wilder Fox, we stay close to the major moves shaping Australia’s construction landscape — and this one is big.
Roberts Co NSW is set to be acquired by UAE-based construction and property group Arada, marking a strategic shift for the business and the industry.
The move will see founder Andrew Roberts exit the construction sector, where he has been a long-time figure, and hand over the NSW operation — the core of the company he established in 2017.
The sale will see Roberts Co NSW continue operating under its existing name, with CEO Emma Shipley and Executive Chairman George Kostas both staying on under new ownership. The focus now is on securing a smooth transition for the company’s 120 employees into the Arada-owned entity, with Shipley reinforcing her long-term commitment to the business and its people.
All existing NSW projects will continue as planned, including the Westmead Paediatric Services Building, new public schools in Carlingford and Cumberland, and the large-scale Home Parramatta build-to-rent development. Roberts Co will complete its two remaining WA projects before exiting that market.
The acquisition comes with a significant capital injection aimed at strengthening Roberts Co NSW’s balance sheet and supporting future growth. The company’s bonding providers remain fully supportive of the deal. Importantly, the sale does not affect the Victorian arm of the business, which remains in administration.
For Arada, the deal represents an opportunity to scale up its Australian operations through a well-established local brand, leveraging both its own pipeline and broader market opportunities.
