Multiplex has this week paid tribute to its founder John Roberts, who died last Thursday aged 73.

Roberts, who had been suffering from a long illness, passed away two days after his firm won its Wembley court case over Cleveland Bridge. He had been an executive director of the company since stepping down as chairman in 2005.

Allan McDonald, Multiplex's chairman, described Roberts as a "man of great energy and vision". He said: "John's legacy is an enormous one in the fields of property and construction. He will be sorely missed."

Roberts established the company in 1962 as Multiplex Constructions Pty Ltd, and spent the next 40 years turning it into one of Australia's biggest construction firms. Multiplex gained worldwide attention following the construction of the Stadium Australia for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, which led to the firm being given the Wembley contract in 2001.

Roberts resigned as chairman in May last year after the company predicted a £45m loss on Wembley stadium, a figure that has since risen considerably.

John Roberts' son Andrew is chief executive of the group. In an announcement to Multiplex staff, he and his family said: "John always believed Multiplex was its people, and he attributed its success to their quality and commitment to the industry. This will be one of John's greatest legacies."