- Source: Imelda Roche
Imelda Joan Roche (born c. 1935 (1935)) is an Australian entrepreneur and property investor who established Nutrimetics International (Australia) Pty Limited in 1968 with her husband, Bill Roche (c. 1935 (1935) – 30 June 2022). They then founded a property development company, the Roche Group.
Business career (Imelda and Bill)
Imelda and Bill met in a supermarket in 1956 and started in business selling lamps door-to-door.
In 1968 the couple bought the Australian franchise to Nutrimetics, starting with A$6,000 of stock.
In 1991, they acquired the worldwide interests of Nutrimetics International. The Nutrimetics Group was sold in 1997 to the Sara Lee Corporation. At the time of sale the company had a turnover of A$250 million a year.
Bill and Imelda Roche expanded into property development and investment. They started their real estate investments with the purchase of a Sydney warehouse in the late 1950s. They subsequently owned residential land subdivisions, rural properties and office complexes.
The Roche Group Pty Ltd was registered in 2000. The company owns several Hunter Valley landmarks, including the award-winning Hunter Valley Gardens, the live concert venue Roche Estate and Harrigan's Irish Pub. In 2020 there was controversy around a Roche Group housing development planned at West Wallsend. For almost ten years, activists were fighting to protect an Aboriginal women's site situated on land slated for development. Despite both the NSW Government and the Australian Government recognising the site's significance via legislation, the Roche Group appeared to push ahead with plans that could see the Butterfly Cave women's cultural site desecrated or damaged.
Bill Roche died on 30 June 2022, aged 87 years.
Other roles (Imelda)
From 1990 to 1992, Imelda Roche served as president of Chief Executive Women.
In 1993 she was appointed chair of the World Federation of Direct Selling Associations, which represented 50 national associations and 1500 member companies, the first woman and the first Australian in this role.
In April 1994 Imelda was appointed by Prime Minister Paul Keating as Australian representative to the Pacific Business Forum of APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation), and in 1996 was appointed to the same role in John Howard's successor organisation, the Business Advisory Council to APEC.
Imelda Roche was acting chancellor of Bond University from 5 August 1999 to 25 November 1999, and served as chancellor from 25 November 1999 to 30 May 2003.
In March 1999 she was appointed chair of the New South Wales Chapter of Family Business Australia, and in June 2001 became a patron of the Hawke Centre at the University of South Australia.
Roche has served on many boards and committees, including: St Vincent's Hospital; Sisters of Charity Foundation; Garvan Institute of Medical Research; many university appointments; Committee for Quality of Teacher Education (NSW Government); Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme in Australia; various government-appointed roles (NSW and federal governments); Committee for Economic Development of Australia; Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust; and Air Services Australia.
Recognition and awards (Imelda)
1986: Australian Pursuit of Excellence Award, for her outstanding leadership and performance in the Direct Selling Industry
1995: Officer of the Order of Australia, for her distinguished service too business and commerce, to women's affairs, and to the community
1996: Honorary Doctor of Letters from Macquarie University
April 1997: International recognition in Paris, France, one of the 50 Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World
June 1997: Ranked number one in Business Sydney of the Top 25 Women-Owned Businesses in New South Wales
2001: Centenary Medal, for significant contribution to the Australian society in business leadership
2004: Honorary doctorate from Bond University
Net worth
The net worth of Bill and Imelda Roche was estimated at A$1.42 billion in the 2019 Rich List of the Australian Financial Review. Following the 2022 death of Bill Roche, the net worth of Imelda Roche was reassessed at A$1.57 bn in the 2023 Rich List.