Recent changes to the structure of the Real Estate Institute of South Australia has been announced following the adoption by members to establish a new constitution and to become an organisation with contemporary governance.
"I am pleased to share...that the Real Estate Institute of South Australia has successfully been established as a company and is now known as the Real Estate Institute of South Australia Limited (REISA Ltd)," said REISA Chair, Brett Roenfeldt.
"The establishment of REISA Ltd follows the adoption by members on 31 March 2020 to establish a new Constitution and become an organisation with contemporary governance."
Mr Roenfeldt told WILLIAMS MEDIA that through extensive surveys with members, it was clear a change was needed.
"Our members wanted to move away from having all industry personnel sitting as directors on the board," said Mr Roenfeldt.
"They wanted a balance of members and independent non-industry directors and we have achieved that with the new board."
The change was gazetted on July 30, 2020 by the Consumer and Business Services where the existing board was dissolved and the new one established, with 4 non-industry directors and 3 industry directors.
"The following Tuesday we had our first meeting with the new board," said Mr Roenfeldt.
"With the new format, we are currently in a transitional period until the AGM which will be held in the first week of November.
"That will be when a new chair will be voted in."
Mr Roenfeldt said under the new constitution REISA won't have a president.
"There will be a Chair who will not be responsible for public statements," said Mr Roenfeldt.
"That will be left up to the Operations Manager and later on an Executive Director."
The list of new directors include:
- Cain Cooke - a dynamic, energetic, strategic leader with an insatiable enthusiasm for building and driving businesses by creating high performing teams through hands on, relationship centric approach. Business transformation and growth have been the hallmark of his 17 years' experience growing multi-million-dollar businesses in South Australia and nationally. A believer in delivery through collaborative partnerships both internal and external, and passionate about effective multi-stakeholder engagement, Cain has extensive experience delivering high performance outcomes across dynamic multifunctional businesses from diverse industries. Cain brings complex stakeholder management and membership-based service experience across the spectrum of SME’s, major corporates financial institutions and private equity investment firms.
- Fairlie Delbridge - Fairlie is a strategic thinker with an astute business mind, creative approach, sound ethics and strong leadership capabilities. Fairlie holds extensive private sector experience, including in the financial services sector and she was formerly the General Manager of Strategy & Innovation at Renewal SA, South Australia's Urban Renewal Authority and the inaugural Commissioner of the State Planning Commission of SA. Fairlie has held Directorships of a number of not for profit organisations and private companies which operate in the commercial property development arena.
- Mathew Woodrow - holds dual executive leadership roles within the SARAH Group, Chief Operating Officer for SARAH Group Holdings and Chief Financial Officer for SARAH Constructions. Matthew rounds out his executive experience through his directorship and consultancy roles, including at present his appointment with residential builder/developer, Creative Structures, and commercial subcontractor, TPR Electrical. Across his career Matthew has been involved with several successful member-based organisations including the Property Council of SA and Master Builders SA. In 2019 Matthew was recognised for his contribution to the property and construction industry, being named the 2019 Young Property Professional of the Year (SA).
- Robert Underdown - an experienced external affairs and government relations specialist. Robert offers 20 years’ senior management experience working as a member of the senior leaders’ forum at Caltex Australia, the external affairs/public affairs senior leadership teams for Caltex and Santos, an Adviser/Deputy Chief of Staff to the then Federal Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources and numerous group leadership roles at Ernst & Young. A former Director of the Economic Development Board of South Australia, Robert is now founder and director of government relations, strategy regulatory and issues management consultancy, Advanced Outcomes.
- Victor Velgush - member who following an education in economics and a successful senior leadership career in a fortune 500 company Victor has spent the last 14 years leading the growth of Refined – one of Adelaide’s highly regarded boutique real estate agency. Refined has 25 employees with offices in the eastern and western suburbs and is regarded for its client-centric approach.
- Adam Blight - member who has held various senior lead positions in the real estate industry for the past 16 years and holds senior management experience within the rental market sector. Currently at Owens Casserly, Adam is well connected with the South Australian business and real estate sector and has exceptional capacity to build and develop teams and leadership capabilities.
- Valerie Timms - member who has 20 years’ experience within the Real Estate industry including ownership of a franchise in which she very quickly transformed her office to the number one office in SA/NT - a position she held for many years before starting her own agency. Valerie is also an avid supporter of community and charity. A former director on the boards of the Hospital Research Foundation and the Repat Foundation Incorporated where she played a key role in leading the Board’s Business Development and HR Subcommittees.
"Our new Directors bring skill sets and leadership capabilities to support our future direction and in accordance with best practice governance, the Board as a whole will be a majority of Independent Directors," said Mr Roenfeldt.
"In accordance with the Constitution’s Transition Period, I will continue to serve as Chair to support the incoming Board until my term expires at the AGM.
"As we embark on change, our focus will remain fixed on continuous improvement to our industry.
"This is an exciting time for the real estate industry in South Australia and I look forward our next chapter."
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