Nigel Ryde runs an independent residential building company that has grown to be the largest in the Albany region. First established in 1996, the company faced financial difficulties like many other building companies because of the collapse of the HIH Insurance Group. Mr Ryde subsequently decided to put the business on hold. It wasn’t until 2005 after Mr Ryde suffered a neurological condition and spent months in rehabilitation and learning to walk again and then found out his new wife was expecting their first child, that he found the drive to re-establish the company. Mr Ryde said the company has recently started to build homes outside of Albany and plans to establish offices in other regional areas of Western Australia within 3 years. The company has received many awards from the Master Builders Association (MBA) and the Housing Industry Association (HIA), including the MBA’s Awards for Excellence in Customer Service and Most Affordable Home in 2010. The Ryde Building Company provides work for over 100 people in the region and financial support to many non-profit organisations including the Albany PCYC and the Albany Surf Club.
