We recently caught up with Tom to find out what excites him most about joining Roberts Co, life in Dubai and what it’s like being a twin.

Tom joins Phill Andrew, Sasha Kovic and Jason Bruce from our Origination team, helping create even more value for our clients.

What excites you most about joining Roberts Co?

Having recently returned to Sydney after spending the past six years working in the Middle East as a Façade Manager, joining Roberts Co has been extremely refreshing. The company supports Innovation from the top down and welcomes a culture of positive change. My role as Innovation Lead is all about identifying key business functions and understanding how we can make them more efficient. The goal is to make the delivery of our projects easier and provide our clients with more certainty.

The construction industry is set for a significant shift in practices with a huge influx of innovative technology and digitalisation being adopted. As this continues, we will see an increase in efficiencies as companies continue to search for better ways to execute projects. At Roberts Co we are continually looking to Build a Better Way.

Favourite thing about living in Dubai? 

Favourite thing about Dubai was the ability to travel. Being so close to Europe meant plenty of weekend ski trips. We also established a work AFL team which gave us a great social platform. Awesome bunch of Expats that got around the game and enjoyed the refreshments that followed each game.

Weirdest experience living in Dubai?

Weirdest experience would be the heat. Even after 6 years you don’t get used to the summer temperatures that would often climb to 50 degrees with over 90% humidity. Everyone just accepted it and got on with it but something I’ll be happy not to experience again!

Noticed you having a hit with Sasha Kovic and Sam Brown at Moore Park, what are you hitting off these days? 

Really been getting back into golf over summer and was one of the only things kept open during the northern beaches lock down. I reckon I’d be shooting off solid high 20’s or low 30’s. Not sure handicaps go that high. The good old slice is a staple of my current game approach.

You’re a twin – identical? What’s it like now versus what it was like when you were growing up?

Yes, I am an identical twin. It was awesome growing up having an exact replica of yourself around all the time. Always someone to do stuff with and play sport with. Now being a bit older we still live down the road from each other so make an effort to hang out and get into the activities. We were always competitive and that hasn’t really changed. He runs a Gym in Sydney on the northern beaches (J Train Athletic) so we see each other there a few mornings a week as well.

Footy fan? Which code? Who will win the comp? 

Grew up playing Rugby Union but don’t mind a bit of AFL as well.. I’d have to say the Waratahs for Union and Geelong Cats for Aussie Rules. The Waratahs recent loss to the Reds will make them a hard team to follow this year! Actually used to play with Will Service many years ago. I remember him being able to take a really good head knock and nearly always had a broken nose. He didn’t mind a couple of quiet beers after a game either.  Maybe that’s just my memory going.

Best place for a cold beer in Sydney summer?

Can’t go past Wharf Bar down in Manly. A couple of frosty beverages to see out the weekend is always good.