Amex Corporation rebrand aligns with future growth

Underpinning the family-owned company’s position as a passionate, people-first business ready for future growth.

Announcing the change this week, Okeland Managing Director Adam Shephard and Executive Director Cameron Shephard said the name Okeland paid tribute to the legacy left by their late father, Amex Corporation founder David Shephard, and the values passed on by their great-grandmother Beatrice Oke, who treated everyone in her community as if they were family.

“The time is right for a new name that aligns perfectly with our commitment to creating communities where people and businesses thrive, and where the focus is on community wellbeing, economic health and environmental responsibility,” Adam Shephard said.

“Okeland stands for authentic family values as we continue to create those special places and deliver beyond the expected. Combining the values of the past with our vision for the future, it is more than a name, it’s a philosophy that underpins everything we do.”

The rebrand comes as Okeland forges ahead with two major projects.

In Bullsbrook, Western Australia, the company is preparing to launch the 2,500-lot Kingsford development that will feature above average Perth land for sale, while in Queensland it is now 1,200 lots in to its 6,000-lot Providence development across 670 hectares in Ipswich.

“Creating communities is about much more than just bricks and mortar,” Mr Shephard said. “It’s about how you integrate communities from all walks of life and enable them to feel part of something special.”

“Community consultations in Ipswich (QLD) and Bullsbrook (WA) are essential and ongoing, to ensure both developments become part of the local community,” Mr Shephard said.

“Creating special places that support and engage the community has been part of the fabric of our company since day one,” he said.

Okeland’s roots date back to 1971 when David Shephard began building homes and undertaking small development projects in Perth. In 1987 he established Amex Corporation in partnership with Peter Dawes, who continues to be involved in Okeland as a business mentor.

Today, Okeland employs more than 20 people, has operations in Perth, Melbourne and Brisbane, and undertakes a mix of wholly-owned and joint ventured projects.

Other projects in WA include Tuart Ridge in Baldivis, Sunrise in Wellard and the flagship project Livingston community in Canning Vale, which put Amex Corporation on the map and helped earned David Shephard the title of ‘town founder’ in the 1980s and 1990s.

“Creating communities through property development is in our blood,” Adam Shephard said. “Between us, Cameron and I have more than 40 years experience across the property and finance industries.

“Just like our dad before us, we pride ourselves on being innovative and progressive. We walk the walk and are proud of the fact that Okeland is one of the few remaining family-owned property development companies in Australia,” Mr Shephard said.