Wal King AO

Wal King was born and educated in New South Wales and graduated from the University of New South Wales in 1966 with a Bachelor of Engineering Degree and a Master of Engineering Science Degree in 1968.

He began his career with Leighton in 1968 working on major construction projects all over Australia and quickly moved into management, becoming a Director of Leighton Holdings Limited in 1975 and being appointed CEO of Leighton Holdings in February 1987, until his retirement on 31 December 2010.

He is Non Executive Chairman of TerraCom Limited and Built Group Pty Ltd, and a Director of Kimberley Foundation Australia Limited. He is a former Member of the Business Council of Australia. Wal King is an Honorary Fellow of the Institution of Engineers Australia; a Foundation Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and a Fellow of the Institute of Managers and Leaders, the Australian Institute of Building and the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.

Wal King was the 2001 winner of the ICAA/Zurich Business Leader of the Year Award and also was the winner of the 2008 ICAA/Perpetual Business Leader of the Year. He was also awarded the 2001 Peter Nicol Russell Memorial Medal – The Institution of Engineers Australia’s highest award, and was presented Life Membership by the Tourism and Transport Forum for his contribution to the development of Australian transport infrastructure. He was awarded Property Person of the Year 2008 by the Urban Taskforce.

In October 2002, Wal King was conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Science by the University of New South Wales for his distinguished eminence in the field of construction engineering.

Wal King was appointed an Officer of the General Division of the Order of Australia in 2004.

He is a keen heli-skier and also enjoys trekking and cycling.