Paul Little

$1.00 B

Ranked #2124 in World

About Paul Little

Paul Alexander Little, a distinguished Australian businessman and philanthropist, has made significant contributions to the transport and real estate industries over his extensive career. As the former managing director of Toll Holdings from 1985 to 2011, he transformed it from a small operation into a global giant, growing the company's worth to $3.8 billion with operations in 50 countries. Post-Toll, Little founded Little Projects, focusing on residential and commercial real estate, and ventured into aviation with Little Aviation. His leadership extended to sports management, including a role as chairman of the Essendon Football Club. Recognized for his contributions, Little has received multiple awards and honors, including being appointed Officer of the Order of Australia. Alongside his wife, Jane Hansen, Little has also made considerable philanthropic investments in education and rehabilitation programs.

Born

December 03, 1947

Age

78 years

Source Of Wealth

Logistics, Real Estate

Industries

Real Estate

Citizenship

Australia

Residence

Melbourne

Education

RMIT University

Spouse

Shirley Little (1978-1992), Jane Hansen (Married: 1994)

Paul Alexander Little, a prominent Australian businessman and philanthropist, was born and raised in Australia. Information about his early years and childhood is not readily available.

Paul Little: Family

Paul Little is married to Jane Hansen, his second wife, who is a former investment banker. He was previously married to Shirley, who unfortunately passed away from cancer in 1992. Little has three children from his previous marriage.

Paul Little: Career Highlights

Paul Little has had a remarkable career in the transport industry. He started as an employee at Mayne Nickless and rose through the ranks to become the national operations manager of Seapak Transport Services. He then worked as a consultant for Peko-Wallsend, where he assessed the desirability of purchasing the Toll business and eventually led the takeover.

Paul Little: Companies

Paul Little is best known for his leadership and management of Toll Holdings. He led a management buyout team that successfully purchased Toll Holdings in 1985. Under his leadership, Toll Holdings grew from a small operation with 18 trucks and a value of $1.5 million to a global organization with 45,000 employees in 50 countries, boasting a valuation of $3.8 billion.

In addition to Toll Holdings, Little also founded Little Projects in 2011. Little Projects is a residential and commercial property projects group that offers a comprehensive "one-stop shop" approach for clients' real estate needs. Little has also acquired several complementary businesses, including LJ Hooker real estate franchises, and has several projects underway in Melbourne with a combined value exceeding A$1 billion.

Furthermore, Little owns Little Aviation, an aviation charter business that operates a Gulfstream G650ER jet worth approximately A$65 million.

Paul Little: Major Achievements

Paul Little's major achievements include leading the successful management buyout of Toll Holdings and transforming it into a global logistics giant. He also played a significant role in the acquisition of numerous businesses, including TNT transport and logistics businesses and rival Finemores, which contributed to Toll's growth and expansion.

Little's leadership and contributions to the transport and logistics industries have been widely recognized.

He oversaw Toll's strategic investments in technology, wine, rail freight, and cargo shipping, diversifying the company's operations and driving its growth.

Paul Little: Awards & Achievements

Paul Little has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. Some of his notable accolades include:

Winner of CA/Zurich Business Leader Award (2002)
Winner of inaugural Trans-Tasman Business Leader Award (2005)
Awarded Doctor of Business honoris causa by RMIT University (2008)
Appointed Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2010 for his contributions to the transport and logistics industries, corporate social responsibility, and philanthropic support.
Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (FCILT)

Paul Little: Personal Life & Legacy

Paul Little is known for his philanthropic endeavors. He and his wife, Jane Hansen, have a shared interest in supporting education, theatre, and addiction rehabilitation. They established The Hansen Trust with a generous A$10 million gift to the University of Melbourne in 2015. In 2018, the Hansen Little Foundation further contributed A$30 million to the university.

Little's personal life includes his residence in the Toorak mansion Coonac, which he purchased for a record price in 2002.

Paul Little: Trivia

Paul Little was actively involved in Australian professional sports, particularly motor racing. He sponsored John Sidney Racing and Anthony Tratt's Porsche racing team, which later transitioned into V8 Supercars as Paul Little Racing in 1998. However, the team folded in 2005.
Little also had a passion for competitive racing but faced discouragement from Toll Holdings board members due to safety concerns.
In 2013, Little became the chairman of Essendon Football Club in the AFL, replacing David Evans. His tenure was marked by a turbulent period involving allegations of an illegal supplements program. Little stepped down in 2015 before the final guilty verdict, and Lindsay Tanner succeeded him.

Wealth History

Timeline

1985

Led a management buyout team that purchased Toll Holdings.

1989-2000

Acquired numerous businesses, including TNT transport and logistics businesses and rival Finemores.

1992

First wife, Shirley, passed away from cancer.

1993

Toll Holdings listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.

1998

Tratt's team moved into V8 Supercars as Paul Little Racing, folded in 2005.

2002

Winner of CA/Zurich Business Leader Award. Bought Toorak mansion Coonac for a record price.

2005

Winner of inaugural Trans-Tasman Business Leader Award.

2008

Awarded Doctor of Business honoris causa by RMIT University.

2010

Appointed Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for contributions to transport and logistics industries, corporate social responsibility, and philanthropic support.

2011

Founded Little Projects, a residential and commercial property projects group.

2013

Became chairman of Essendon Football Club in the AFL, replacing David Evans.

2015

Stepped down from Essendon Football Club before the final guilty verdict, succeeded by Lindsay Tanner. Established The Hansen Trust with a A$10 million gift to the University of Melbourne.

2018

Hansen Little Foundation gifted a further A$30 million to the University of Melbourne.

Paul Little : FAQs

What is Paul Little's net worth?

As of 2018, Paul Little's net worth was $1.00 billion.

What are Paul Little's main sources of wealth?

Paul Little's main source of income comes from Logistics, Real Estate.

In which industry does Paul Little primarily operate?

Paul Little is primarily involved in the Real Estate industry.

What is Paul Little educational background?

Paul Little holds a RMIT University.

How old is Paul Little?

Paul Little is 78 years old.

How many children does Paul Little have?

Paul Little has 3 children.

Who is Paul Alexander Little and what is he known for?

Paul Alexander Little is an Australian businessman and philanthropist known for being the former managing director of Toll Holdings from 1985-2011 and for his significant contributions to the transport and logistics industries.

How did Paul Little contribute to the growth of Toll Holdings?

Paul Little led a management buyout team that purchased Toll Holdings in 1985, listed the company on the Australian Securities Exchange in 1993, and transformed it from an 18-truck operation into a $3.8 billion international organization with 45,000 employees across 50 countries.

What is Little Projects and what does it offer?

Founded in 2011 by Paul Little, Little Projects is a group focusing on both residential and commercial property projects, offering a 'one-stop shop' approach for clients' real estate needs, including purchasing LJ Hooker real estate franchises.

Can you tell us about Paul Little's involvement in Australian sports?

Paul Little has been actively involved in Australian professional sport, initially in motor racing and later as the chairman of the Essendon Football Club in the AFL from 2013 to 2015, a period marked by a controversy over an illegal supplements program.

What awards and honors has Paul Little received?

Paul Little has received numerous awards including the CA/Zurich Business Leader Award in 2002, the Trans-Tasman Business Leader Award in 2005, was appointed Officer of the Order of Australia in 2010, and has been recognized for his contributions to transportation, corporate social responsibility, and philanthropy.