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Lendlease Group appoints Nick O'Neil as next CEO and MD

Lendlease names Nick O'Neil as incoming CEO and MD, with a leadership transition underway for 2026.

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Laura Stewart
Author bio Laura Stewart is a Finance Editor at The Motley Fool, where she covers Australian and international equity markets. She joined the company in 2022, following a career transition from legal advisory work in Southeast Asia into the investment industry. Prior to her current editorial role, Laura spent three years as an Equity Analyst and Writer, producing investment research across the ASX, NYSE, and NASDAQ. Her coverage included small-cap growth companies, thematic investment ideas, and high-quality U.S.-listed businesses. Laura holds a Master of Applied Finance and brings additional expertise in accounting, taxation, and estate and wealth planning from her postgraduate studies. She also has a background in law and communications, which supports her analytical and reporting work in financial markets. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time in the Adelaide Hills with her flock of sheep. Education Laura holds a Bachelor of Laws, a Bachelor of Communication (Journalism), and a Bachelor of Commerce with majors in Accounting and Corporate Finance. In 2025, she completed a Master of Applied Finance at the University of Adelaide, receiving postgraduate awards in Accounting Concepts & Methods, Ethical Principles in Accounting & Finance, Real Estate Valuation & Investment, and Tax, Estate & Wealth Planning. Social media LinkedIn FYI – I am taking a break from social media at the moment, so this account isn’t active at the moment, but I will let you know when I rejoin. Favorite investment quote "Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it... he who doesn't... pays it." — Albert Einstein
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The Lendlease Group (ASX: LLC) share price is in focus after the company announced Nick O'Neil will become its new Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director from 10 September 2026, following a period of leadership transition.

CEO of a company looking straight ahead.

Image source: Getty Images

What did Lendlease Group report?

  • Nick O'Neil appointed as incoming Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director
  • Transition period with Joint Interim CEOs Andrew Nieland (CFO) and Penny Ransom (CIO) from 30 June 2026
  • Outgoing CEO Tony Lombardo to step down by 30 June 2026 or earlier
  • Nick O'Neil's remuneration includes $1.8 million fixed pay plus incentive awards and a $4.5 million sign-on grant in Lendlease securities
  • No earnings results were included in this announcement

What else do investors need to know?

Lendlease says Nick O'Neil brings over 25 years of global experience across real assets, markets, and investment strategy, including leadership roles at AustralianSuper and Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG). Lendlease's board described the appointment as marking the next phase following a strategy reset and significant business simplification.

During the transition, the CEO's office will be jointly led by CFO Andrew Nieland and CIO Penny Ransom, who are tasked with ensuring continuity until Mr O'Neil officially steps in. Outgoing CEO Tony Lombardo departs after nearly two decades with the company, having led major strategic shifts and asset divestments.

What's next for Lendlease Group?

Lendlease says it is entering a new phase aimed at revitalising and strengthening the business, following its strategy reset and portfolio simplification. With Nick O'Neil's focus on real asset management and global investment, investors can expect leadership continuity and a strategic push towards growth and long-term value creation for shareholders.

The group's immediate priority will be a smooth CEO transition while delivering ongoing projects. Investors will be watching for further strategy updates as O'Neil takes the helm later in 2026.

Lendlease Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Lendlease shares have declined 55%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 1% over the same period.

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Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

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