Our Team
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Ian Bell - Director
With over 50 years of hands-on experience in the construction industry, Ian has truly seen it all. Starting from humble beginnings, Ian’s journey began in 1980 with a small domestic concrete crew in his hometown of Warracknabeal, where his dedication and workmanship quickly earned him a strong reputation for quality workmanship.
After only 3-short years, Ian relocated to Portland and significantly expanded his team of up to 80-individuals to meet the growing demand for housing brought about by the development of Alcoa’s Aluminium Smelter. Driven by the belief of 'the more concrete, the better' Ian sought out larger and more complex opportunities, which included his first commercial project for the construction of Westfield Geelong, formerly known as Bay City Plaza. From there, Ian’s reputation continued to grow as he became a well-known figure throughout Melbourne & Geelong, where he led teams of up to 300 people and delivered concrete structure packages for many of the city’s most iconic developments. These include the Collins Street Bridge, Austin Hospital, Spencer Street Station, and the Wonthaggi Desalination Plant.
Ian is also highly regarded for his expertise and successful delivery of Airfield Rigid Pavement projects, having delivered numerous projects at Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport over the past three decades. His leadership in this specialised field has additionally resulted in his teams working across Australia delivering Airfield Rigid Pavements to several other Airports including Brisbane, Coolangatta, Sydney, RAAF Base Darwin & RAAF Base Sale.
Ian attributes much of his success to a simple philosophy passed down from his father: “Don’t do tomorrow what you can do today” and has proudly passed these values on to his 10 children.
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Renee Bell - General Manager
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Jarrad Bell - Estimation & Commercial Manager
From the moment he could barely walk, equipped with a hardhat on his head, and a hi-vis vest about 20 sizes too large, Jarrad would frequently visit his family at any construction site he could. With concrete running through his veins (metaphorically), it was safe to say that it was only a matter of time before he officially joined the industry he had grown up around.
Starting as a general labourer onsite in his early teens, Jarrad was eager to learn the tricks of the trade from all those around him. Wanting to expand his overall knowledge, he undertook a Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours) at Deakin University in 2012. Throughout his four years of study, Jarrad continued to work onsite every available day, gaining irreplaceable real-world experience that cannot be taught in a classroom.
Following his studies, Jarrad transitioned into an office-based role, steadily working his way from Site Engineer through to Estimation & Commercial Manager. His adaptability and drive have seen him deliver and contribute to major projects across Metropolitan Melbourne, Regional Victoria, and Interstate locations, including Brisbane Airport, HMAS Cerberus, RAAF Base Darwin, RAAF Base East Sale, Sydney Airport, Victoria's Big Builds & Level Crossing Removals.
Today, Jarrad plays a key role in the team, bringing insight and years of expertise to all areas of operations - from initial BoQs, estimations & contract negotiations through to project delivery & close-out.
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Adrian Taylor - Construction Manager
Adrian Taylor brings a wealth of practical experience and strong leadership to his role as OPT's Construction Manager. Beginning his career as a Carpenter, Adrian has worked across a diverse range of projects throughout Victoria, and across Australia. This breadth of experience has provided him with a deep and well-rounded understanding of the construction industry from the ground up.
Adrian is known for his attention to detail, strong work ethic, and ability to lead teams on complex projects. This has earned him the respect of colleagues, crews, and clients alike. His journey from the tools to senior management reflects not only his technical expertise, but also his commitment to quality, accountability, and delivering results.
In his role today, Adrian oversees OPT's overall construction operations, with the same practical mindset, and problem-solving approach that has defined his career. He excels in coordinating teams, streamlining processes, and ensuring that project goals are achieved safely, efficiently, and to the highest standard. Adrian’s leadership style is collaborative, hands-on, which he demonstrates by being approachable, clear in his communication, and always willing to share his knowledge. His ability to balance big-picture planning with on-the-ground insight ensures that every project benefits from both structure and flexibility.
Adrian’s dedication and breadth of experience make him a vital part of OPT's continued success, and a trusted leader who brings clarity, stability, and confidence to every build.
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Jason Bell - Concrete Superintendent
As the eldest of Ian’s children, Jason has built nearly four decades of industry experience, establishing himself as an integral part of OPT’s concrete operations. Now in the role of Superintendent, Jason provides leadership and expertise that keep projects moving safely, smoothly, and to the highest possible standard. Jason is well known for his steady leadership in the field, proactive approach, and no-nonsense attitude when it comes to solving problems. His crews value his approachable nature and clear direction, while clients trust his reliability and commitment to getting the job done right the first time. With an exceptional understanding of machinery, equipment, materials, and safety standards, Jason ensures every project is delivered with precision and quality at its core.
Across his career, Jason has developed deep technical expertise in Heavy-Rigid Pavements, particularly within Airfield projects demonstrating a specialised area in which his experience is second to none. From Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport to airfields across the country, Jason has overseen the successful delivery of highly complex and large-scale pavement projects. His results, consistency, and focus on safety and efficiency continue to set benchmarks across the industry.
Jason takes pride in sharing the knowledge he has built over decades, ensuring the values of hard work, quality, and integrity remain at the heart of OPT Concrete. Jason’s unmatched experience, leadership, and passion for the craft make him not only an integral part of the business, but also a trusted partner to clients and a respected leader to his teams.
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Blake Bell - Project Manager
Starting his career at just 18, Blake already brings over a decade of experience to the OPT team, both on-site and in management. Like many before him, Blake began his career journey as a concrete labourer and has steadily grown within the company, building his knowledge and expertise from the ground up. He credits his strong understanding of construction operations and his success in project delivery to the hands-on experience gained during those early years within the industry.
Since transitioning into management, Blake’s commitment, thorough approach, and passion for construction have seen him step confidently into his role as Project Manager. In this role, he continues to refine his skills in planning, coordination, and technical oversight. Blake leads from the front, with a focus on quality, safety, and efficiency, ensuring his projects are delivered on time and within budget.
Blake’s career journey reflects his commitment not just to his own development, but to the ongoing success of his teams. His combination of practical experience, leadership, and problem-solving ability makes him both a valued partner to clients and a respected leader within the company.