This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
AUSTRALIA’S biggest brick-maker, Brickworks, has announced the retirement of long-standing managing director Lindsay Partridge, who oversaw the company’s growth from a small manufacturing operation to a multinational organisation with an asset base of $6 billion.
Mark Ellenor, the current Brickworks COO, has been named as successor in the role of CEO.
Partridge led the company for 25 years, starting as CEO in 1999 – when Brickworks had an asset base of $500 million – and becoming managing director in 2000.
“On behalf of the board and the Brickworks team, I would like to thank Lindsay for his outstanding dedication and leadership and the remarkable contribution he has made in growing and reshaping the Brickworks Group from a small brick-making company to an ASX 150 listed company comprising successful international building products and large-scale industrial property JV businesses,” said Brickworks chairman, Robert Millner.
Ellenor will take on the role of CEO “following a comprehensive internal succession planning process”, with Partridge to assist with the transition until his retirement. Ellenor Mark started with the company as a graduate 25 years ago and was president of the company’s North American operations for five years where he led the successful expansion into North America and extensive plant consolidation program that followed.
As part of the succession plan, Ellenor assumed the role of GM building products in August 2022, overseeing all building products businesses in Australia and North America. He returned to Australia in August 2023 and was appointed COO of the Brickworks Group with responsibility across both the building products and property and development businesses.
“Mark is well suited to lead Brickworks through the next chapter of growth and performance. Mark brings to the role a deep understanding of brick, rooftile and masonry manufacturing, supply and distribution in Australia and North America,” Millner said.
“He has delivered on multiple plant rationalisations and capital expenditure programs and the positioning of brick as a style choice to architects through the design studio footprint.”
Partridge said, “It is hard to believe that when I joined the Company the market capitalisation of Brickworks was barely $150 million. None of us would have believed that almost 40 years later it would grow to where it is today. This would not have been possible without the dedication of all Brickworks staff but more importantly the steady guidance and vision of Robert Millner and all of the current and past directors.
“It has been both a privilege and an amazing opportunity to spend most of my career with Brickworks and one I have truly enjoyed. We have built a talented team of senior executives and I look forward to continuing to work with Mark as he moves into his new role.”
