THE grandson of founder LJ Hooker, Leslie Janusz Hooker, has quickly put together a new board including former Mirvac CEO Greg Paramor and Allco Finance Group founder John Kinghorn.
Hooker recently bought back the business from Suncorp Metway for $82 million after the Queensland bank purchased it in 1989.
Hooker led a group of investors – some of whom are now directors – to acquire LJ Hooker from Suncorp last month.
Hooker, who is the executive chairman of the company, yesterday unveiled the people who backed him and the list includes several high profile property and finance identities.
Greg Paramor, who resigned as Mirvac’s CEO in July last year has joined the board along with
John Kinghorn, the founder of RAMS Home Loans and Allco Finance Group.
The other board members include businessman and property developer Syd Fischer O.B.E, Robert McLean, former chairman of Elders Rural Services and former managing director, McKinsey & Co, Inc for Australia; Grahame Cooke, the previous CEO of LJ Hooker from 1992-2004 and Alan Lambert, who has also worked at LJ Hooker and is currently managing director of the firm.
Hooker said each director offers a unique set of skills and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the LJ Hooker management team and 700 franchises.
“We have one of the strongest brands in the world’s best performing industrialised country (Australia), and now we have a board to take advantage of these exciting times for LJ Hooker,” he added.
Paramor said the LJ Hooker brand coupled with the new ownership and board will enable the company to grow to its potential.
“The recent financial crisis has provided many opportunities in the real-estate market for nimble, well capitalized companies like LJ Hooker,” Paramor concluded.
Australian Property Journal
