When you walk through the Illawarra Indigenous Business Expo (IIBE), you’ll see more than just products and services, you’ll see stories of leadership, vision, and the power of First Nations entrepreneurship. One of the businesses leading the way in this space is BY Group Pty Ltd, an Indigenous-owned and operated construction company that has been reshaping the industry since 2014.
Established by three Bundjalung men, Brendan Williams, Mark Mundine, and Beau Mundine, BY Group began with a clear mission: to create economic independence and sustainable employment in the construction sector for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Today, the business is a respected national player.
But what sets BY Group apart goes far beyond bricks and mortar. Every project is underpinned by Indigenous values, strong governance from respected Elders, and a deep commitment to cultivating Indigenous talent. Whether it’s supporting cadets to grow into senior project management roles, engaging local Indigenous suppliers, or creating community infrastructure, BY Group sees construction as both a profession and a pathway to lasting social change.
Visitors to the expo will have the opportunity to meet George Kandylas from BY Group and hear firsthand how the business continues to deliver not only industry excellence but also meaningful outcomes for people and communities. Ahead of the event, I sat down with George to talk about BY Group’s journey, the impact of their work, and their ambitious plans for the future.
What’s the story behind your business? Where did it begin, and what brought you to this path?
BY Group was established in 2014 by three Bundjalung men – Brendan Williams, Mark Mundine and Beau Mundine – with the aim to create economic independence and sustainable employment in the construction industry for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Today, under the leadership of Managing Director Malcolm Devin, we are growing into a leading Indigenous-owned and operated construction business, with proven experience across commercial, civil, solar, residential and fit-out projects for private, government and defence clients.
We are driven by our mission to cultivate Indigenous talent, engage Indigenous suppliers, uphold the highest standards of industry professionalism and ensure the continued ownership and management of our business by Indigenous peoples. Our dedication to community engagement and support is guided by strong governance and leadership from respected Indigenous Elders.
How does your culture or community show up in your business? In what you do, how you do it, or why it matters?
Our values that we understand and practice are instilled and part of the BY Group DNA. Sure, we are good at what we do in the world of construction, but we are proud to simultaneously be building opportunities, confidence, cultural pride and connection in our day-to-day operations. We operate with respect and fairness, and work to build belonging and great leadership within our teams – consistently guided by Indigenous values and cultural mentors. Clients that work with us see the value in the delivery of successful projects, but also through the social outcomes that they achieve through genuine and sustainable engagement with the Indigenous community.
We are also able to see our impact through our talent, some of whom join us as cadets, and build their way up to project management roles on large-scale projects across Australia and the Pacific region. Their dedication, growth and pride in their work are key drivers for our organisation to keep doing what we do.
What do you love most about the work you do?
What I love most about that work that we do at BY Group is the impact that we see on people and communities, through the process of developing careers and talent, engaging local subcontractors and delivering important community spaces and infrastructure. Our team agrees that at BY Group, it’s all about the people. From young Indigenous cadets and driven tradespeople to senior leaders, clients, consultants and suppliers, we’re proud to work with people who are passionate and inspiring. Surrounding ourselves with good people brings out the best in all of us, and their success is ours.
Can you tell us about a moment where your business made you feel proud, connected, or inspired?
There’s so much to be proud of at BY Group, from the meaningful projects we deliver to the impact we create. Recent highlights include working on iconic national buildings like the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) and the Parliament of NSW.
Delivering construction training to local staff in the APAC region also serves as a powerful reminder of our mission and the value of sharing knowledge beyond our borders.
What are your hopes or plans for the future of your business?
To be the best in what we do in the industry with real social outcomes. Our strategy is focused on talented individuals, strong client and community relationships and continuous improvement. We aim to maintain our core priorities of people, performance and profit, while striving to be industry leaders.
Key goals include a 90% staff retention rate, over 60% full-time Indigenous employment, 100% of staff with CPD training plans and successful completion of cadet and apprentice programs. Plus, we remain committed to compliance with ISO and Federal Safety Commissioner (FSC) Standards.
A key part of our future strategy is also deepening our relationships with Traditional Land Owners. We’re committed to ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are not just consulted, but actively included in every stage of our projects. And as we grow, we’re naturally focused on increasing Indigenous representation across our team, building on our strong foundation to further reconciliation and support self-determination.
The Illawarra Flame is a proud supporter of the 2025 Illawarra Indigenous Business Expo, which will be held from 11am-2pm on Friday, October 31 at the Novotel Wollongong Northbeach.