Paul Blackburne founded integrated property developer Blackburne and grew the business to become one of Western Australia's largest apartment developers.
In recent years, Mr Blackburne has stepped into a more strategic role as executive chair, with a chief executive appointed to run the daily operations of Blackburne. He remains active in the Blackburne business and works closely with the chief executive and management team to assist with Blackburne’s continued growth.
During Mr Blackburne’s time in the industry, he has received a number of accolades including being named the 2016 Business News 40under40 First Amongst Equals Award, a finalist in the 2005 Business News 40under40 awards and a 2014 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist.
Mr Blackburne started Blackburne Property Group in 2003 when he obtained a loan to buy part of the rent roll from his father’s firm, Blackburne and Joyce Real Estate, to start a property management and project marketing business. By 2009 the company had shifted focus to apartment development and in the following years grew into an Australian market leader in the development of large-scale, high-end, luxury apartments.
In 2013, Mr Blackburne joined the Board of the Cambodian Children’s Fund (CCF) and is the primary founder of the new Child Protection Unit (CPU) in Cambodia.