Introducing Claudio Romano: The success story behind Maximise’s formation
Thank you for taking the time to explore who we are, what we stand for, and what drives us forward. As Managing Director, I’m proud to share our story, a journey built on strategic foresight, innovation, deep industry expertise, and a relentless focus on delivering strong investor returns.
Prior to establishing my first property development firm in 2001, I spent 18 years in academia and held the position of Professor of Accounting at Monash University. While this experience shaped a disciplined and commercially minded approach to business, my connection to property runs far deeper. I grew up in a multi-generational construction family business, and after launching my own firm, I led projects across various property asset classes including office, residential, and medical facilities.
By 2014, I observed early signs of market transition. Melbourne’s rapid population growth was accelerating the development of new suburban communities, while planning approvals for traditional asset classes such as apartment and office buildings were tightening. At the same time, there was a growing shortage of well-located industrial land.
This dynamic created a clear challenge. Warehouse spaces are critical in supporting Melbourne’s economic growth by enabling a wide range of industries to operate efficiently, including local businesses, trades, e-commerce, and logistics. Recognising the increasing demand and structural undersupply, I shifted focus to a sector with long-term relevance and strong potential for investor returns.
