At the Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce’s Future of Housing – Exploring New Delivery Models Business Lunch on 18 September 2018, a panel of experts including Anne Skewes, Deputy Secretary NSW Land & Housing Corporation; Chris Key, Managing Director, Greystar Australia; Kris Daff, Managing Director, Assemble & Make Ventures and Brendan Crotty, Chair, National Housing Finance & Investment Corporation explored the pressing question of how we can work together to ensure that all Australians have access to suitable housing. The discussion was moderated by Caryn Kakas, Group Strategy, ANZ.

ANZ sponsored the event.

SPEAKERS

Anne Skewes, Deputy Secretary

NSW Land & Housing Corporation

Anne Skewes is Deputy Secretary at the Department of Family and Community Services, managing the NSW Land and Housing Corporation’s public housing portfolio. This includes the $22 billion Communities Plus program, which is delivering major housing renewals in partnership with the private, non-government and community housing sectors including the NSW Government’s first Build-to-Rent mixed housing project in the inner Sydney location of Redfern. Prior to joining FACS, Anne was a Deputy Director-General at the NSW Department of Finance and Services, Chief Executive of the NSW State Property Authority and in executive property roles in Canberra and South Australia.

Chris Key, Managing Director
Greystar Australia

Chris Key is Managing Director for Greystar’s Australian platform, leading the establishment and growth of the Australian business. Chris is responsible for implementing the strategic plan for the platform across a variety of key components including investment strategy, capital relationships, operational management, acquisitions and development activities. Greystar is the global leader in rental housing, with a fully-integrated platform offering expertise in investment management, development and property management of rental housing properties. Headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina, Greystar has a presence in over 150 markets globally with offices throughout the United States, Europe, Latin America and the Asia Pacific.

Kris Daff, Managing Director
Assemble & Make Ventures

Kris Daff is Managing Director of Assemble and Make Ventures (MAKE), he has over 15 years industry experience and is an innovative operator in the real estate and property development market in Australia. Kris has extensive experience in development and financial structuring across all industry sectors with a focus on residential development. In 2018, the team at Assemble and MAKE launched the Assemble Model – a new pathway to home ownership. The model aims to address the fundamental desire for the majority of Australians to own their own home – and is a direct response to multi-level government policies on housing affordability. Kris has deep experience in alternative housing models focused on improving affordability in the Australian context and supports a number of not-for-profit housing initiatives.

Brendan Crotty, Chair
National Housing Finance & Investment Corporation (NHFIC)

Brendan Crotty has formally commenced his appointment following passage of the enabling legislation for the National Housing Finance & Investment Corporation (NHFIC.) He brings considerable financial acumen, business expertise and property sector experience to the NHFIC Board. Mr Crotty is currently a director of Brickworks Limited, General Property Trust and Dennis Family Holdings Pty Ltd. The NHFIC will administer an affordable housing bond aggregator to provide cheaper and longer-term finance for community housing providers. The NHFIC will also administer the $1 billion National Housing Infrastructure Facility which will invest in critical infrastructure to unlock new housing supply.

Moderated by:
Caryn Kakas, Group Strategy
ANZ

Caryn Kakas has 20 years’ experience in public policy and housing. Her role directly supports ANZ’s commitment to improve the availability of suitable and affordable housing options for all Australian and New Zealanders. She was previously Executive Director of Housing, overseeing Housing and Homelessness policy and programs; Intergovernmental Relations and Cabinet Coordination at the Department of Family and Community Services (NSW).