Centenary’s new CEO changes the landscape

CENTENARY Landscaping Supplies, known to most residents of Brisbane’s western suburbs for their fleet of delivery trucks, has a new chief executive.

The family business success story sees Conor O’Shea succeeding his father Terry O’Shea, who moves into the active role of managing director. 

Conor O’Shea has worked in most roles in the company, beginning at the age of 14 serving as yard hand on weekends. He then went on to serve for two or more years as a yardmen, driver and salesperson while he studied sound engineering, visual art and gained valuable sales experience working with other organisations.

He returned to Centenary Landscaping Supplies in 2013, as business development manager then sales manager, with the objective of improving systems, business intelligence, information technology, staff training and team building.

Terry O’Shea, who founded the business with his wife Denise in 1985, said the timing of the handover was obvious.

“We are growing to become the Centenary Group of companies, and with Conor as MD for Centenary Truckers and the new Centenary Outlet it was clear he was the best person to lead Centenary Landscaping Supplies,” he said.

Conor, who is now also responsible for strategic planning, sales management and system implementation across the group said, “It is important to me that we realise our growth opportunities while continuing to ensure the highest value services and offerings are available to our customers.

“I will continue to work with Terry to uphold the values of the family business while we grow into new markets and distribution channels.”   

Conor’s steep climb to the top job was supported by Jacob Aldridge from Shirlaws business coaching, who said the transition was neither straightforward nor guaranteed.

“Conor brought insight from years working across all areas of the business, and a next generation eagerness to break new ground. But he still had to demonstrate his capability to the Centenary team, customers and suppliers,” Mr Aldridge said.

“I've been privileged to build strategy with hundreds of business owners, and I recently spoke with Terry to communicate two things: how few aspiring business owners achieve the business success he has realised; and how proud he and Denise deserve to be of the men their two sons Conor and Kelby have become.”  

Centenary Landscaping Supplies has a seven acre yard on their Sumners Road, Darra site near Brisbane, and offer customers an online ‘Click & Collect’ service in addition to delivery solutions.

www.centenarylandscaping.com.au

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