Argyle Housing is governed by a Board of Directors who bring a diverse set of skills, experience and knowledge to guide the strategic direction of Argyle Housing, while our Chief Executive Officer and Leadership Team lead an organisation of dedicated individuals to implement this strategy.
Board of Directors
Terry Downing – Chairman of the Board
Qualifications – B Comm, M Mgmt, CPA, FAICD, ANZIIF Fellow.
Special Responsibilities – Ex-offico Member, Assets, Acquisitions and New Business Committee, Audit and Risk Committee and Nomination, Remuneration and Governance Committee.
Experience
Terry is an experienced non-executive director with current and prior positions in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. He brings extensive financial, risk management, corporate governance and commercial experience to the Argyle Board.
Terry was appointed to the Argyle Housing Board on 4 April 2012.
Susan Bailey
Qualifications – BA/LL.M, MPAdmin, GradDipPM, MAICD.
Special Responsibilities – Member, Audit and Risk Committee Member, Nomination, Remuneration and Governance Committee.
Experience
Susan is a non-executive director in the not-for-profit sector and previously in the public sector. She has over 30 years’ experience as a commercial lawyer in the private and public sectors including insurance and electricity. Susan has executive experience as General Counsel of Ausgrid and General Counsel and Company Secretary of Royal & Sun Alliance.
Susan was appointed to the Argyle Housing Board on 1 January 2016.
Donna Anthes
Qualifications – BA (Communication), Grad Cert Bus Admin, GAICD.
Special Responsibilities – Chair, Assets, Acquisitions and New Business Committee. Member, Nomination, Remuneration and Governance Committee.
Experience
Donna is an experienced Company Secretary and Non-Executive Director with proven governance & risk management expertise. She has significant board level experience and leverages her strong record of accomplishment in leading change and resolving complex business issues. Donna’s rich experience, ranging from start-up businesses to large-scale organisations, enables her to engage effectively and credibly with a broad range of stakeholders and provide sound business leadership in changing environments. Donna has executive experience across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors including Qantas, Macquarie Bank and the University of Newcastle, where she has been responsible for achieving operational efficiencies; implementing significant change programs; establishing corporate service functions and governance frameworks. A record of accomplishment of business development accompanies Donna’s strong leadership.
Donna was appointed to the Argyle Housing Board on 1 January 2016.
Chris Martin
Qualifications – Master of Commerce (Valuation), with Distinction; Graduate Diploma in Property Investment; Advanced Certificate in Real Estate; Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors; Licensed Real Estate Agent (NSW).
Special Responsibilities – Member, Assets, Acquisition and New Business Committee.
Experience
Chris has 36 years of broad-ranging experience in the property industry, covering property funds management (both listed and unlisted); property and asset management; property investment (including acquisition and divestment); property development; project management; financial management; marketing; sustainability; and corporate governance and compliance. He has experience both on-shore (Australia) and offshore (as Regional Head of Asset Management for Asia-Pacific, based in Singapore, with LaSalle Investment Management).
During his career, Chris also has held senior roles with GPT Group, Lendlease, BT Funds Management / Principal Financial Group, Colliers International, Jones Lang Wootton (now JLL) and, early in his career, in the Commonwealth and New South Wales governments. Chris is a non-executive director of Harbison Memorial Retirement Village and is a member of Harbison’s Built Environment Development and Risk & Audit committees. He is currently managing director of Pindari Capital, a funds management company wholly owned by Mulpha Australia.
Chris was appointed to the Argyle Housing Board on 1 January 2018.
Yvette Pietsch
Qualifications – BBus (Accounting); Master Tax Law; Fellow Chartered Accountant; Certified Tax Advisor; MAICD.
Special Responsibilities – Chairperson of the Audit & Risk Committee.
Experience
Yvette has over 25 years’ experience in public practice as a Chartered Accountant, working with private groups and not-for profit organisations.
Yvette is currently an independent member of the Governance, Audit & Risk Committee for Shellharbour City Council, and was previously a Trustee and Deputy Chair of Centennial Park & Moore Park Trust and a member of NSW Council for Women’s Economic Opportunity. Yvette has extensive experience in financial and risk management, corporate governance, business operations and commercial management.
Yvette was appointed to the Argyle Housing Board on 1 January 2018.
Tracey Wadsworth
Qualifications – Associate Diploma in Business (Valuation); Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Special Responsibilities – Member of the Assets, Acquisition and New Business Committee.
Experience
Tracey has over 25 years in the property and finance sectors in strategic property and financial advisory, development and project management as well as asset and property management. Tracey has held senior executive positions in both the public and private sector nationally and internationally this has included Landcom, Royal Bank of Scotland, CRI and Tamaki Regeneration Company.
Throughout this time, Tracey has been involved in a number of large scale social and urban renewal projects including most recently the Tamaki Regeneration Programme in Auckland, New Zealand. This is the largest social regeneration project in New Zealand seeking improve the social and economic well-being of a key area of Auckland.
Tracey’s property and commercial background is coupled with a strong understanding of the social and community housing sector.
Tracey was appointed to the Argyle Housing Board on 1 May 2019.
Julian Sawicki
Qualifications – Bachelor of Economics; Chartered Accountant; Fellow Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Special Responsibilities – Member Audit and Risk Committee.
Experience
Julian Sawicki has a 25-year career in executive management and membership of boards. This experience covers financial management, strategic planning, risk management, human resources and culture, quality and compliance with a strong understanding of board governance principles arising from completion of the Company Directors course via the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Julian’s passion for community services is reflected in his senior and Chief Executive roles with values based organisations providing a wide range of community and personal support services throughout South Australia. His experience in community housing policy and practice arises from significant involvement with community housing companies such as Westside Housing and Unity Housing. This practical experience coupled with knowledge of government policy adds to his board experience in the superannuation, community services, community housing and disability services sectors.
Julian believes that access to safe, secure and affordable housing is essential for a fair community if its members are to participate fully in the life of their community.
Julian was appointed to the Argyle Housing Board on 1 May 2019.
PATRON
Chris Benton – Past Patron
Qualifications – JP, MAICD
Appointed the first Patron of Argyle Housing in recognition of his significant commitment and contribution over the past 14 years. Chris Benton was a business owner and manager in Bowral who had worked in the banking and finance sector for over 33 years. Past Director and Chairman of the Argyle Housing Board, Chris contributed significantly to the growth of Argyle and to its current status as a Tier 1 Community Housing Provider. Together with his dedication to Argyle Housing, Chris was a Justice of the Peace and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He was also a past president of the Rotary Club Bowral/Mittagong, a volunteer firefighter, and foundation treasurer of the Southern Highlands Renal Appeal. Chris was a part of the Argyle Housing Board from 2001 and acted as Chairman of the Board for many years until January 2014 and most recently as Director until February 2015. Sadly, Chris passed away in early February 2017.
CEO
Wendy Middleton, Chief Executive Officer
Wendy has over 30 years’ experience working in community services both in the government and not for profit sectors in NSW and Victoria and has had the opportunity to work across many domains in both public policy and service delivery. Prior to commencing with Argyle Housing, Wendy was CEO of a medium-sized organisation in the Wimmera, Victoria. Throughout this time Wendy was instrumental in securing funding and services for rural and remote areas. One of the most rewarding and significant achievements in Wendy’s career was her involvement in a resident-led community renewal for a public housing estate. Most recently, through partnerships and a tenacious approach, Wendy assisted in securing funding for the development of a community hub that provided one place for the community to access the assistance they needed. Wendy holds qualifications in welfare and human services research and evaluation. She commenced working with Argyle Housing in September 2013 as GM for Business Development and Renewal and was appointed Chief Operating Officer in February 2014.
On 26 August 2014, Wendy was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Argyle Housing.
Argyle Housing Management Team
Carolyn Doherty, Housing Services Manager
Carolyn has a background in Child Protection and Community Housing, having spent eight years as the CEO of a large housing company in Queensland, prior to returning to NSW. Carolyn is very passionate about housing is the foundation of people’s lives. Without a long term, stable housing people can face overwhelming barriers to health, education, employment and most of all personal safety.
Andrew Allan, Chief Financial Officer
Andrew has over 30 years’ experience in financial accounting leading teams based in Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia. In that time he has successfully worked in senior statutory and management accounting roles, been a project manager in acquisition and integration and business operational roles. Now enjoys the opportunity to work in an organisation with strategic objectives that are targeted to support social and affordable housing across regional NSW.
Justin Nyholm
Project Manager – Argyle Housing Property and Asset Services Manager
Justin has 30 years’ experience in the building and civil construction and maintenance sectors. This experience includes residential, industrial, commercial, public and air transport facilities. Justin has experience delivering technically complex major projects within challenging stakeholder environments. Justin’s Qualifications include; Bachelor Commerce (Mgmt) UOW, Advanced Certificate Building Supervision, and a Carpentry & Joinery Trade Certificate.
