Romilly Madew AO (pictured) takes on the top job at Infrastructure Australia, as high-profile property people including Peter Verwer AO, Laurence Lancini AM and the late Stanley Perron AC are honoured on Australia Day.
Romilly Madew AO, who has just been awarded an Order of Australia for her distinguished service to the construction sector as a change agent and advocate for sustainable building practices, has been appointed by the Australian Government to lead Infrastructure Australia. An independent statutory body, Infrastructure Australia prioritises and progresses nationally significant infrastructure through research and advice to all levels of government, investors and owners. The appointment has been welcomed by industry, with Property Council chief Ken Morrison noting that Madew, the long-time CEO of the Green Building Council of Australia, “understands how cities function, which will be critical in this new infrastructure role at a time when Australia’s governments and communities focus on the need to better plan and invest for a growing population”. The executive search for Madew’s replacement is now underway.
Several other high-profile property people were also honoured on Australia Day. Peter Verwer, the Property Council’s former CEO, was acknowledged with an AO for his distinguished service to the property sector, to sustainable development and construction, and to professional bodies.
Property pioneer, the late Stanley Perron, was awarded an AC – the highest honour – for eminent service to the community through philanthropic contributions to a range of charitable organisations, and to the commercial property sector. Jillian Broadbent AC, chair of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation from 2011 to 2017, was recognised for her eminent service to corporate, financial, clean energy and cultural organisations, to higher education, and to women in business. Pauline Gandel AC, wife of property scion John Gandel, was acknowleged for her eminent service to the community through humanitarian, philanthropic and fundraising endeavours, to social inclusion, and to Australia-Japan relations.
Laurence Lancini, president of the Property Council in Queensland, was awarded an AM for significant service to rugby league football, and to the community of North Queensland. Professor Daryl Le Grew AO, Vice Chancellor Fellow at the Melbourne School of Design, was recognised for distinguished service to education, to research infrastructure development, and to architecture. Brian Seidler was awarded an AM for significant service to the building and construction industry through professional organisations, notably Master Builders Australia. And Queensland architect Desmond Brooks AM was honoured for significant service to architecture, particularly in the Gold Coast region.
After three years as president of the Retirement Living Council, Alison Quinn is stepping down from the role as she departs as CEO of RetireAustralia. Ben Myers, executive director for retirement living at the Property Council acknowledged Quinn’s “steady leadership” and “strong vision” during a time in which “the retirement living industry has navigated some big issues and challenging times”. A new leader will be elected at the RLC’s first meeting for the year on 15 February. Anthony Heald, general manager at RetireAustralia, will step in as interim CEO until a permanent replacement for Quinn is secured. Quinn departs from RetireAustralia on 31 March.
The Australian Institute of Architects has a new CEO. Julia Cambage joins the peak body from youth charity TRY Australia, and has also held senior roles with Procurement Australia and Family Business Australia. Based at the Institute’s Melbourne headquarters, Cambage will lead 70 employees across Australia. Her appointment follows Jennifer Cunich’s departure in August 2018.
Kirk Conningham OAM has been appointed chief executive officer of the Australian Logistics Council, following long-time leader Michael Kilgariff’s move to Roads Australia in 2018. Kirk Coningham was the national executive director of the Urban Development Institute of Australia until December 2018, and previously led the Master Builders Association of the ACT. He has also occupied senior positions with Leighton Holdings.
Jimmy Huang has stepped into the role of chairman of Yuhu Group Australia, after being handed the baton from his father Huang Xiangmo. Based in North Sydney, Yuhu Group is an Australian, privately owned family business founded in 2012 by Xiangmo Huang. Recent acquisitions include One Circular Quay in Sydney and The Jewel at Surfers Paradise. On completion, Yuhu estimates these projects will represent AU$2.8 billion of investment.
Architectus farewells director Mark Wilde after a four-decade career in architecture. Wilde has been at the core of the Architectus’ industrial, logistics, transport and law court sectors. Wilde’s work on the Queen Elizabeth II Courts of Law in Brisbane championed the use of natural light and changed the way court rooms are designed in Australia.
Savills Australia is preparing for a bumper new year with several new key appointments. In Sydney’s commercial sales market, Savills welcomes former AFL footballer Nick Lower as state director to lead the metropolitan and regional sales division. Lower joins Savills from CBRE, where he held the role of senior manager in the city sales team, before leaving to start his own business. In Brisbane, state director Phillip Dunn will lead the asset management division. Dunn was most recently regional portfolio manager for CBRE and was previously a commercial property manager with LJ Hooker Surfers Paradise. Rob Agnew will step into the role of state director for asset management in Perth. Agnew moves to Savills from Knight Frank, where he held senior property manager and associate director roles, before being promoted to general manager of 140 St Georges Terrace.
Chris Godsell joins architecture firm nettletontribe in Melbourne as a studio leader. Godsell, the son of acclaimed Melbourne architect David Godsell, has worked at Peddle Thorpe Melbourne, SJB Architects, Sean Godsell Architects and Katsalidis Architects and has worked on projects including the Ian Potter Museum of Art and the RMIT design hub. Established four years ago nettletontribe has a team of 20.
Blake Goddard has joined Knight Frank in Brisbane. Assuming the role of associate director with Knight Frank’s commercial sales team, Goddard has spent six years working in the property industry, most recently with JLL.