Ingles Group has scored a coup with the appointment of Robert Hardy, a developer in his own right, as its new commercial development manager.

Mr Hardy, a property veteran of 30 years experience, has been heavily involved in the development industry up and down the east coast of Australia.

Since leaving his post as development manager with Kelly Projects in 2001, Mr Hardy has been developing his own projects throughout Queensland. Those projects have included two childcare centres in Toowoomba and a 68 room resort in Cairns.

A qualified accountant, Mr Hardy first made a name for himself in the Gold Coast property game when he joined Lewis Land in 1974. Lewis Land was then among the largest developers of residential land in Australia and on the Gold Coast the company was behind developments at Paradise Point and Runaway Bay.

Since then the Clear Island Waters resident has overseen a diverse range of developments, ranging from sporting complexes, resorts and shopping centres through to industrial and commercial projects and residential subdivisions.

Mr Hardy said he was returning to full-time employment with the Graeme Ingles-led Ingles Group because he was seeking a new challenge.

``Graeme (Ingles) is going into larger and larger commercial arenas and I think it is going to be a very exciting time to be with the company,’’ said Mr Hardy.

BACKGROUND
Ingles Group, which was formed in 1980, is now one of Australia’s largest privately owned developers. The Ingles Group of companies have developed or have under development, projects worth about $1 billion.

Ingles Group subsidiaries include award-winning builder Ingles Homes (Qld) Pty Ltd, which is a member of the Queensland Master Builders Association and Housing Industry Association; Ingles Property Management, Ingles Accounting and Tiger Home Loans.

For further information contact Marshall Hall on 0404 195 896 or marshall@barepublicity.com.