The executive director and founding chair of Multiplex – the Australian-based construction company currently building Wembley Stadium in London – has passed away following a long illness. John Roberts was 72 years old.

Multiplex chair, Allan McDonald, said: "John’s legacy is enormous in the fields of property and construction. He was a man of great energy and vision and will be sorely missed."

Roberts founded the company in 1962 as Multiplex Constructions. In 1988 he was awarded an Order of Australia for his contribution to the construction and horse racing industries. In 1999, Roberts received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Australian Constructors’ Association for his contribution to the property industry.

Multiplex is currently facing penalty payments of around £140,000 a day for ongoing delays in the construction of Wembley Stadium. Losses of up to £180m on the project are anticipated.

The contractor’s relationship with the Football Association (FA) is also believed to be at breaking point owing to the forced cancellation of numerous sports and music events by Wembley National Stadium Ltd (WNSL).

Sources close to Multiplex and WNSL have suggested that it could result in an acrimonious squabble, which may culminate in litigation.

In addition, Multiplex has won its claim for £1.3m in outstanding adjudication payments from the West India Quay Development Company regarding costs incurred from delays to their hotel development project. Details: www.multiplex.com.au