Naturform Pty Ltd is a licensed building company specialising in landscape construction established in Brisbane, Queensland in February 1983.The company expanded into Victoria in 1996 and now successfully operates in both regions with a reputation in the industry for excellence and professionalism.
The company was founded by Don McGregor before Blair Barnhill and Lindsay Toppenberg joined as directors in 1992. Naturform was run by the original directors until 2015 and 2018 saw the addition of the second generation in James McGregor and Matt Barnhill as well as the inclusion of Victorian based directors Brendan O’Connor and Tony Jackson. The company has since grown to 8 directors with the addition of Simon Woodhouse as a third director based in Victoria in 2023.
Significant construction and landscape projects over the 42-year history of the company include;
- Qld Resorts – Sheraton Breakwater Casino, Sanctuary Cove, Twin Waters
- Stamford Plaza Brisbane
- Brisbane International Airport
- Delfin Lend Lease Developments
- Colmslie Recreational Reserve
- The Strand Townsville
- Torquay Sands Golf Course
- Kinglake Fire Reconstruction Project
- University of Queensland Projects
- Hadfield Park
- Eltham North Adventure Playground
- Government House Courtyard, Brisbane
- Mirvac Development at Woodlea
- Keperra Quarry Redevelopment
- The iconic BRISBANE sign at Southbank Parklands
Naturform has been a client of Accru Rawsons since the beginning when Jeff Rake, partner of Accru, made the connection via mutual rugby union interests. Melissa McCrystal worked with Jeff from her start at the firm as an undergraduate accountant through to partner and took over the client relationship on Jeff’s retirement in 2017. Accru Rawsons have worked closely with the company providing all accounting and tax compliance services through to facilitation of bimonthly Board meetings.
In recent years, with the expansion of the board of directors from three to eight, it has been imperative to ensure that all facets of the business are running smoothly and in sync with each other. This encompasses the field work together with the administrative functions of the company and is required to consider the differences that can exist between regions when it comes to available projects and the performance of the respective Queensland and Victorian economies.
When the company was run by the original three directors, decisions were reached easily, and formal meetings were not required. However, as the directorship and ownership grew, so did the necessity for more formal meetings, including developing the operational direction separate to, but in conjunction with, achieving the strategic direction of the company.
It was also important that the company addresses the questions that all long-standing businesses face regarding how to tackle succession and ensure that new ideas of the younger generation shine through.
With the assistance of Accru Rawsons, the enthusiasm of the newer directors and the experience of the original directors, the company formalised their meeting structure and solidified all aspects of the business. This included detailed review and rework of shareholders agreements, corporate governance, human resource management procedures and recognising future gaps in skills upon retirement of directors and how to replenish the board to fill those gaps.
In the construction industry, workplace health and safety is paramount and at the forefront of all business owners’ minds and the company has been proactive in implementing industry benchmark systems to monitor the company’s performance in this area and report back to the Board of Directors in a timely manner.
The combination of building off the strengths of a business that has operated successfully for decades and injecting new ideas into the future is what will ensure that Naturform will go from strength to strength and continue to be a standout in their field. Melissa McCrystal and the team at Accru Rawsons are proud to partner the company through their journey of continued success.
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