David Fisher’s professional journey is one of transformation, purpose, and a steadfast commitment to housing justice. What began in 1980s London as a civil engineering degree transformed into a calling when David witnessed firsthand the city’s stark housing inequalities. This pivotal moment steered him from traditional engineering toward a mission that would define his career in community housing.

David began his housing career with community-based housing cooperatives in the UK, where he developed a deep understanding of resident-driven development approaches. This experience established his core philosophy that effective housing solutions extend beyond providing a roof over one’s head but to encompass community development. His work demonstrated that well-designed housing initiatives can create environments where residents participate actively in their communities and maintain long-term housing stability.

David then advanced to executive leadership positions with major national housing providers across the UK. His tenure was marked by significant achievements in urban transformation, particularly through comprehensive renewal initiatives in Glasgow and Manchester that revitalised public housing estates and surrounding neighbourhoods. His expertise expanded to include the development and management of mixed-tenure properties and the structuring of public-private partnerships, demonstrating his capacity to implement innovative financing and delivery models for social and affordable housing projects.

Upon relocating to Australia, David applied his international experience to address local housing challenges. From leading a regional housing organisation in New South Wales to assuming the role of Chief Executive Officer at Housing Choices Australia (HCA), David has continued his commitment to promoting equity and ensuring access to quality housing for all. In less than two years, the organisation has undergone comprehensive strategic transformation while advocating for a stronger housing policy. His focus on innovation, operational excellence and fostering a high-performance work culture has positioned HCA as a partner of choice and established new standards of excellence within the community housing sector.

David serves on the Board of the Suburban Land Agency (ACT) and has previously held significant leadership roles, including Chair of Homelessness NSW and President of the NSW Council of Social Services where he has been instrumental in driving systemic change and achieving impactful outcomes across jurisdictions.

From spearheading some of UK’s significant social housing initiatives to creating some of Australia’s most inclusive communities, David’s career stands as a blueprint for purpose-driven leadership – proving that with vision, resilience, and innovation, we can construct a future where everyone has a place to call home.