20 years at Winslow, and what a journey

There are many employees within Winslow who started their careers here and gone on to grow into successful leaders within the Group.

The opportunity to learn and advance your career is something many at Winslow have done and continue to do so.

This month, Winslow Group Finance Manager Anthony Rigato celebrated 20 years at the company, and it was an opportunity to reflect on his journey since joining as a Financial Controller in May 2004.

“As my father was a concrete paving contractor, I always had an interest in a career in the construction industry,” said Anthony, who left the accounting practice to work in commerce.

“I was hired by (Chief Executive Officer) Trevor Lockwood and joined a small finance team that included Kylie Wilson and Kerry Wood, who are still employed with us today.”

Others still here are CCO Rohan Davidson, Constructors General Manager Andrew Richardson, Plant Manager Pat Zaffina, Regional Managers Mark Sutton and Darran Bunnett.

Back then, Winslow was predominantly a Greenfields contractor focused on residential subdivisions in the North and West of Melbourne with “about 200 to 250 employees. As the business grew so did the size of the teams in the field and the office,” Anthony said.

“It was a small family orientated business and close-knit team. We didn’t have the resources we enjoy today,” he said.

“In addition to Finance, I was handed IT to manage in my first few years as everyone pitched in to do what was required to succeed.”

Anthony reflected on his two decades here, the changes and challenges the business has faced and how it has grown from a Melbourne-based contractor, into offices in Regional Victoria and interstate, expanding into infrastructure and the vertical businesses.

While the pipeline of work is beginning to slow from historical peaks, Anthony said he had seen first-hand how Winslow has the experience and expertise to weather any storm.

“Through our challenges over the years, the business has navigated its way forward through astute leadership, innovation and integrity, which has made the business what it is today, and made it even stronger,” he said.

So, who has been most influential on him during his time at Winslow?

“Trevor and Dino. They mentored and supported me and gave me the opportunity and resources to grow and steepen that learning curve,” he said.

“Working in a dynamic environment and needing to think on my toes helped shape my career here. The entrepreneurial DNA of the business hasn’t waned.”

“The impressive thing for me is how the executive management team remains in the detail of the business despite the exponential growth.”

 Overall, Anthony reiterates it’s the integrity of the business that stands out. We do what we say.

“We may be a large company now, but we still display humble family origins.”