Company Overview

Russell joined FDC in 2002 and has held leadership roles across all divisions of the business, providing him with a deep understanding of the Group’s operations, people and clients.

As Chief Executive Officer, Russell is responsible for the overall performance of the Group across all divisions and geographies. He is also the steward of FDC’s defining culture and values, which continue to shape how FDC delivers for its clients and partners.

Having commenced his career with FDC as a cadet, Russell has more than two decades of experience across commercial construction, fitout and refurbishment. He brings expertise in project delivery, client relationships, risk management and governance at scale.

Under Russell’s leadership, FDC continues to deliver complex programs of works nationally, focused on operational excellence, disciplined growth and long-term partnerships.

Andrew joined FDC in 2016 and provides executive-level financial and operational leadership to the business.

Working alongside the Chief Executive Officer and Board, he is accountable for developing and delivering on FDC’s growth plan, with responsibility across people, process, financials and governance.

Andrew has more than 25 years’ experience in strategy, finance, operations and executive leadership, having spent a decade in 
a variety of roles at Australia and New Zealand Banking Group 
(ANZ), and at the Hocking Stuart Real Estate Franchise Group, including as Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive Officer.

Andrew’s disciplined, commercially focused approach underpins FDC’s financial resilience and supports sustainable long-term growth.

Ben is the Founder, majority owner and Chair of FDC which he founded in 1990.

With a career spanning all facets of the property and building industry, Ben has led FDC’s growth as Managing Director for more than three decades, transforming the business into one of Australia’s leading commercial construction, fitout and refurbishment delivery partners. 

Ben’s leadership has underpinned FDC’s reputation for quality, long-standing client relationships, strong financial performance and exceptional staff engagement and tenure.

In late 2023, Ben transitioned from day-to-day management to Non-Executive Chairman, providing strategic oversight and governance, while ensuring FDC remains aligned to its founding principles and Made Personal™ ethos.

Blake Cottle has been involved with FDC since 1998 and brings more than two decades of experience across property, investment and development. His career has provided broad exposure to commercial real estate, project origination and capital deployment.

Throughout this time, Blake has developed strong relationships across the property sector, working closely with owners, occupiers, investors and industry stakeholders. He has particular experience identifying and evaluating opportunities that support long-term value creation.

As a Non-Executive Director, Blake provides the Board with valuable industry insight, commercial perspective and knowledge of the Group’s history, supporting effective governance and strategic decision-making.

Philippa is a corporate lawyer with experience on landmark transactions across infrastructure, engineering services, resources, financial services and agribusiness.

Philippa is Joint Head of Herbert Smith Freehills’ Equity Capital Markets team, specialising in equity and hybrid capital raisings, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and foreign investment. 

Philippa is a member of the Australian Takeovers Panel, Chair of the Law Council of Australia’s Corporations Committee, and a founding member of its Foreign Investment Committee.

Her board experience includes David Jones Limited, AirServices Australia and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Philippa also serves not for profit organisations, including Adara Partners as a Panel Member, the Centre for Independent Studies as Deputy Chair, Asia Society Australia as a member of its Advisory Council and the Samuel Griffith Society as a non-executive director.

John has more than 30 years’ experience in funds management, investment management and Australian equities.

In 2006, John established the Ex-50 Funds at Northcape Capital, where he was a director and shareholder, helping build the business into a leading Australian fund manager with more than $10 billion in funds under management before stepping down in 2018.

Earlier in his career, John held several roles at AMP Capital, including Portfolio Manager of the $4 billion AMP Capital Fund.

John is Chair of Leyton Funds, a property investment and funds management business. He currently serves as a Non-Executive Director of Eureka Group Holdings and brings extensive expertise in capital markets, governance, investment management and corporate strategy.

Ryan Arrold has 10-years experience as a non-executive director and currently serves on the board of fertiliser minerals miner, Verdant Minerals.

Previously, he served on the board of the Government-owned Australian Rail Track Corporation, and was also a board member of Aspen Nutritionals Hong Kong, until it was sold to the world’s largest dairy company, Lactalis Group. 

Earlier in his career, Ryan worked in global capital markets, initially as a lawyer at Blake Dawson Waldron (now Ashurst) and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. He later joined investment bank JPMorgan in London where he originated, structured and executed significant market transactions on five continents. 

Ryan now advises global private equity and hedge funds on fund raising in Australia and New Zealand. Ryan holds degrees in Arts, Laws and Criminology from Sydney University and is a graduate of the Company Director’s course with the Australian Institute of Company Directors.