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.
Qualifications – BBus (Accounting); Master Tax Law; Fellow Chartered Accountant; Certified Tax Advisor; MAICD.
Special Responsibilities – Chair, Audit & Risk Committee and Member, Remuneration & Governance Committee.
Experience
Yvette has over 25 years of 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.
Qualifications – Bachelor of Economics; Chartered Accountant; Fellow Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Special Responsibilities – Member, Audit & 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 the 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.
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.
Special Responsibilities – Member, Assets, Acquisition & New Business Committee and Member, Audit & Risk Committee.
Experience
Christopher has 37 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; financing and 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, Christopher 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. Christopher is a non-executive director of Harbison Memorial Retirement Village and is Chair of Harbison’s Built Environment & Development Committee and a member of the Finance & Audit Committee. Immediately prior to his retirement from his executive career in 2020, Chris was 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.
Qualifications – Associate Diploma in Business (Valuation); Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Special Responsibilities – Chair, Assets, Acquisitions & New Business Committee; Member Nominations, Remuneration & Governance 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.
Qualifications – B.Bus (Acct/Fin) (UTS); Master of Business Administration (AGSM); Fellow CPA Australia; Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Special Responsibilities – Member, Nominations, Remuneration and Governance.
Experience
Robert has over 30 years of senior executive experience in financial services and for purposes sectors nationally and internationally. Initial responsibilities were focused on financial matters and has transitioned towards general management including strategic planning, operational excellence, business development and risk identification and mitigation. Appointments over this period include significant roles at Westpac, Toyota Finance and Uniting.
Robert has been directly responsible for innovative social and financial transactions including the NEWPIN Social Impact Bond and the Foyer Central Youth Accommodation initiative. Robert’s financial services background is complemented by a strong understanding of the social and community housing sector, in particular with regional locations, especially in First Australian communities.
Prior Board appointments have been undertaken in financial services, community housing, disability accommodation, family support and youth services.
Robert was appointed to the Argyle Housing Board on 1 January 2021.
Jeanette Brooks
Qualifications – Bachelor of Business (Management and Information Systems) (Charles Sturt University); Graduate Certificate Management (Coaching) (University of Wollongong) Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD); Fellow Governance Institute Australia (FGIA).
Experience
Jeanette is an accomplished Non-Executive Director and Senior Executive with over 20 years of experience across a range of public, private and not-for-profit sectors including Banking, Aged Care, Retirement Living, Education and Disability Services.
With broad commercial experience, Jeanette has led multiple business functions and brings a diverse range of skills, knowledge and expertise in marketing and product development, digital technologies, health services, property management, risk management and corporate governance.
Jeanette was appointed to the board in April 2023
Troy Pietsch
Qualifications – Diploma Legal Tranby Aboriginal College, Diploma Agriculture Murrumbidgee College
Experience
Troy Pietsch is an inspiring and dedicated leader with a mission to create equitable and sustainable living environments and communities. He believes that everyone deserves access to the same resources, regardless of their backgrounds or lifestyles. With this goal in mind, Troy recently joined the Argyle Housing Board to help provide an invaluable service to members of his community. His highly regarded experience with Marathon Health Australia, and NSW Public Service roles in Police, Juvenile Justice, Courts, Health and currently with the Department of Education, has provided him with valuable insight into the Argyle Housing Board’s core values. Troy’s optimistic outlook and community-driven spirit make him an asset to the Argyle Housing Board.
Qualifications – B Bus (Accounting/HRM), CPA
The Board of Argyle Housing is proud to announce the appointment of Trevor Fair as Argyle Housing’s second Patron following the passing of our first Patron, Chris Benton.
“I am honoured to follow Chris Benton, a fellow Rotarian, who was passionate about Community Housing and Argyle Housing in particular. When offered the position of Patron, I felt it both an honour and duty to make sure that the efforts invested by Chris in Argyle Housing are remembered and built on into the future.”
Trevor is a well-known face at Argyle Housing having served on the board for nine years and 11 months before retiring in 2018. Trevor held the position as Chair of the Remuneration Committee on retirement and was responsible for providing the Financial Report to stakeholders at the annual meeting. A quiet achiever, Trevor helped to guide Argyle Housing through a significant period of growth in which Argyle Housing’s portfolio increased from approximately 500 properties to over 2,000 properties. As a member and past president of the Bowral-Mittagong Rotary Club, Trevor is committed to helping bring about positive change in the community and lending a helping hand when required.
“I will continue to provide support and encouragement to the Board and hope to remain an integral part of the Argyle Housing story for many years to come.” Trevor Fair.
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 Housing 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.
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 knowing that it is the foundation of people’s lives. Without long term stable housing, people can face overwhelming barriers to health, education, employment and most of all personal safety.
Milan has over 18 years of experience in the community housing and real estate sectors, including over 15 years in senior leadership positions. Skilled in Non-profit Organisations, Budgeting, Government, Social Housing, and Team Building. Strong professional graduate in Project Management. Experience in managing integrated teams comprising frontline business operations, tenancy management, support coordination and place-making in SGCH’s operation. Possessing expertise in the areas of project and contract management, Assets and compliance, strategic partnership management, consortium building, and community engagement and participation to deliver exceptional customer service, strong operational and compliance results, and outcomes contributing to customer wellbeing.
