Last week, the St George & Sutherland Shire Leader local newspaper described Bob as a proud local. “As a boy, Robert Jordan loved going to Miranda Fair (now Westfield Miranda) with his mother and during high school years he hung out there with his friends.” it quoted.   The young Bob, would not know the significance of those early visits which would be the start of an amazing career in the shopping centre industry.

Robert Jordan, better known in our industry as ‘Bob’, was awarded the AM in the general division of the Order of Australia at the recent Queen’s Birthday honours. It was well-deserved, and fitting that the nation honoured him for his contribution and ‘significant service to business and charitable causes’.

Bob joined Westfield in 1987 as a Development Executive; his first job was the major extensions to Westfield Hurstville; his first major role came shortly after as Development Executive at Westfield Miranda.

At Westfield, he climbed the corporate ladder, rising to Chief Operating Officer and then Managing Director from 2003 to 2011; during the latter year he took on the responsibility for Westfield’s US operations. He retired from Westfield in 2014.

During his time at the helm, Westfield undertook some ground-breaking projects. Westfield Bondi Junction was both a complex and massive undertaking: the 2014 (opening) of Westfield Miranda saw new benchmarks achieved in the redevelopment of super-prime regionals and of course, Westfield Sydney saw the virtual transformation of the down-town retail scene.

But what stood out about Bob Jordan, was his closeness and deep understanding of his product, the shopping centre. He had a soft spot for Miranda; being a boy from Yowie Bay, he was a local; his father, an electrician worked on the original centre. He understood the importance of the community and the direct links with the local shopping centre. He went beyond the day to day shopping centre business, involving himself in community issues. Amongst many other social contributions, Bob Jordan was the founding Chairman of the Westfield Charities Fund for Disabled Children.

Bob Jordan was Chairman of the Shopping Centre Council of Australia and a Director of the Property Council of Australia.

In true vintage Jordan reaction, Bob said of his Award: “I have been in business for 30 years and worked with some very talented and hard-working teams, and this award also recognises them,” he said.

“You learn in business, and life, that to actually achieve things it takes a team effort. I also had some really good mentors.”

Speaking of his charity and community roles, he said, “I have had a pretty amazing journey and I am grateful to have been in a position to make a contribution.”

Service includes: 

Westfield Corporation:
Managing Director, Australia, New Zealand and the United States, 2011-2014. Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand, 2006-2011.
Chief Operating Officer, Australia and New Zealand, 2003-2006.
Employee, nearly 30 years. 

Founding Chairman, Westfield Charities Fund for Disabled Children, 2008-2014. 

Shopping Centre Council of Australia: Chairman, 2008-2011.
Director, 2002-2014. 

Director, Property Council of Australia, 2007-2011. 

Deputy Chairman, Hazelhurst Regional Gallery and Art Centre, since 2017 and Board Member, since 2013.
Chairman, Hazelhurst Art Gallery Fund, since 2016.