People on the Move – 7 March 2018
The Property Council announces two new appointments, with Matt Francis taking on communications and Michael Zorbas stepping in as interim executive director in Victoria. Meanwhile, Ivor Frischknecht steps down from ARENA.
The Property Council of Australia’s Victorian executive director Sally Capp has announced she will be standing as a candidate for Lord Mayor of Melbourne at the election to take place in May. In accordance with Property Council policies, Capp has taken leave without pay from 1 March for the duration of the campaign. Michael Zorbas (pictured) has been appointed interim executive director for this period. Zorbas has previously held senior roles at Lendlease, Stockland and the Property Council.
The Property Council has also appointed a new head of media and communications. Matt Francis joins from the Commonwealth Bank, where he has been executive manager of public affairs and communications in its wealth management division. Prior to this Francis was a partner with communications specialist Newgate. Francis takes over from Paul Ritchie, who has established his own speech-writing consultancy.
After overseeing 320 projects and more than $3.5 billion dollars of investment over the last six years Ivor Frischknecht will step down as chief executive officer of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency. The Australian Government is now looking for a replacement.
JLL has appointed Todd Lauchlan as its new managing director in New Zealand. Lauchlan has a long history with JLL, having joined the business in 1995 as a leasing agent in Wellington, before working with the agency in London, Mumbai, Beijing and Jakarta, among others. Lauchlan assumes the post after eight years as JLL’s country head in Indonesia.
Former Major Projects Victoria consultant Peter Northwood has joined forces with BRM Projects to establish a new commercial property advisory firm BRM REAL ESTATE.
Alvie Lin, a former accountant with Multiplex, has been recruited by Raine & Horne. Lin will set up shop in Sydney’s Broadway, and is also launching a major acquisitions arm, which will match Asian and local private and corporate buyers with commercial buildings and development sites across Sydney.
Savills Australia has appointed Aaron McLean as director of metropolitan and regional sales. McLean, who will be based in the Sydney office, has worked with both CBRE and LJ Hooker on Metropolitan sales.