From humble beginnings in Western Sydney to leading one of Australia’s largest structural package firms, Nabil Hafza’s story is one of grit, sacrifice and long-term belief.

In this episode of Uncommon Ground, Nabil reflects on his upbringing, leaving school early to pursue a trade, starting Future Form with just a few thousand dollars, and building it into a major player on some of the country’s biggest projects.

He also speaks openly about family, fatherhood, loss, culture, ambition and what it takes to keep going when the pressure is high and the road is uncertain. This is a conversation about leadership, patience, integrity and building something that lasts.

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Episode Running Order

• Early memories in Casula and growing up in Western Sydney (01:04)
• Family background, siblings and school life (01:55)
• Liverpool Boys, Kasula High and finishing school at All Saints (02:37)
• Leaving school early and choosing a trade over university (04:33)
• What formwork is and why it matters in construction (05:50)
• Starting out in 2002 with $4,000 and an EB Falcon (07:27)
• His parents’ migration story and early family life in Sydney (09:03)
• The influence of his brother Khalil and early mentorship (12:08)
• Buying a first home young and backing himself in business (12:51)
• The slow build of Future Form and the turning point in Sutherland (13:11)
• Winning first tier-one work and breaking into the big league (15:17)
• Marriage, fatherhood, custody and the lessons of raising children (17:18)
• Loss, patience and how family shaped his perspective (19:31)
• The sacrifice required to grow a business from the ground up (21:42)
• Landmark projects, legacy and building structures that outlive him (23:03)
• Where Future Form sits in the national market today (25:22)
• Culture, team building and why family remains central to the business (26:47)
• Working with Australia’s biggest builders and scaling nationally (27:33)
• The values behind the company’s growth: integrity, honesty and win-win partnerships (28:40)
• Supporting community causes, women in construction and cerebral palsy advocacy (30:51)
• Life outside work: fishing, the beach, cars and switching off (32:59)
• Navigating stereotypes as a Western Sydney builder of Lebanese heritage (35:43)
• The future of Future Form and plans for continued growth (39:06)
• Why he backed the Bulldogs and what business can learn from elite sport (39:28)
• Quick-fire questions: chocolate, misconceptions and what keeps him grounded (42:10)
• The advice he would give his 19-year-old self (45:30)