Who we are

We’re passionate about building connected and vibrant neighbourhoods across ACT. Our diverse backgrounds, careers and perspectives help us to engage closely with communities and stakeholders to create ‘Great places where communities thrive’

Our CEO

Jennifer Cunich, Chair

Jennifer Cunich is a property industry leader and high-profile figure in Melbourne and Canberra’s business community. With more than 25 years’ experience in both industry and professional organisations, Jennifer is a trusted and well-known adviser to state and national governments. She has a vast knowledge of the development and building industries. Jennifer is acutely aware of the necessity for good planning and the benefits of same to Australian communities.

An influential and experienced business leader and executive, with a solid understanding of governance, finances, reform and team leadership, Jennifer possesses astute commercial acumen and has a demonstrated track record enhancing the financial performance of organisations. Jennifer brings to the Board skills of leadership, financial literacy, corporate finance and capital management, finance/audit and risk management, overseeing public land sales, master planning communities, and prioritising organisational culture and diversity. She also offers valuable judgement involving good business instincts, astute commercial acumen, objectivity and assessments based on evidence.

Jennifer is the current independent Chairperson of the Australian Housing and Research Institute.

Jennifer Cunich was appointed as Chair on 23 June 2024.

---

David Fisher

David Fisher has a career in leadership, customer service and property development, including urban renewal, public/private and joint venture partnerships, social and affordable housing, and mixed tenure developments in the UK and Australia, including large-scale urban renewal programs in Glasgow and Manchester. As an experienced CEO with financial, governance and compliance experience, David has proven leadership abilities spanning different countries and jurisdictions.

He has consistently worked for organisations seeking to increase their social impact through growth and expansion into new markets, improvements in operational effectiveness and developing new innovative models of service. David is the CEO of Housing Choices Australia, an independent not-for-profit housing provider, delivering high-quality affordable housing, and was the former President of NSW Council of Social Services.

Guy Gibson

Guy Gibson has a long career in town planning and urban development, including 25 years with Lendlease. When he retired from Lendlease in October 2021, he was the Head of Development in Queensland, with responsibility for 5 master planned community projects, and 2 urban regeneration projects. 

He was previously the General Manager of Lendlease’s Communities business in Queensland, as well as having national roles for Lendlease in Government Relations, and Affordable Housing and Sustainability. During his career at Lendlease, he worked on over 30 new community projects, covering site identification and acquisition, conversion, planning and design, delivery, marketing and sales.

Prior to joining Lendlease in 1996, Guy was Director of Town Planning at Brisbane City Council (BCC) from 1993 to 1996 and Project Manager of the Council’s Urban Renewal Program from 1991 to 1993. Before joining BCC in 1987, he worked for the National Capital Development Commission in Canberra. 

Guy is a graduate of the University of Queensland Planning School. He is an Honorary Life Member and past President of the Property Council of Australia (Queensland) and a previous National Director of the Property Council of Australia. He is a Board Member of Brisbane Sustainability Agency and Suburban Futures, a not-for-profit established to promote a better understanding of the important role of the suburban economy in the life of our cities, through shared insights, information and analysis. He has contributed to numerous advisory committees and professional boards, including Urban Futures Brisbane, a Board established by the Brisbane City Council to provide strategic advice to Council on planning and implementing Brisbane’s development future, and is currently a member of Queensland’s Housing Supply Expert Panel, and Economic Development Queensland’s Expert Panel.

Guy is a member of AICD.

---

Adrian Harrington

Adrian Harrington has 33 years of experience in funds management, real estate, government and the not-for-profit sectors.

He is currently the Chair of Charter Hall Direct Property Management, which oversees more than $10 billion in funds that are invested in office, retail and industrial property. He is also a member of the University of Canberra’s Development and Planning Committee overseeing the implementation of their new campus masterplan.

Adrian has a passion for social, affordable and disability housing. He is a Senior Advisor to Lighthouse Infrastructure, advising on their affordable housing investment strategy and execution, Chair of the Investment Committee of Inclusive Housing Australia, and Cura Ability, a specialist disability housing provider. He is the NSW Chair of Housing All Australians, a for purpose organisation creating business-led actions to deliver housing solutions for Australians in need. Adrian is also Chair of the Property Council’s Innovation and Excellence Awards judging panel and a judge of PowerHousing’s community housing awards.

Adrian is the former Chair of the Australian Government’s Housing Australia (formerly known as the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation), former Chair of the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, and former Chair of the Australian Construction Industry Forum’s Construction Forecasting Council. He has overseen real estate funds in Australia, the UK and the US, and has held senior roles at Charter Hall, Folkestone, Mirvac, James Fielding Group, Deutsche Asset Management, and the Property Council of Australia.

Adrian has a Bachelor of Science (Applied Economic Geography) First Class Honours, a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance and Investment from the Financial Services Institute of Australasia, and a Graduate Diploma from AICD.

Adrian Harrington’s term commenced on 23 June 2024.

Clare Petre

Clare Petre has worked in the government, community and media sectors for a significant amount of time. She was the Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW for over 16 years and prior to that, Senior Assistant Commonwealth Ombudsman. 

Clare was previously a Board member of City West Housing and Energy Consumers Australia and has served on a range of NSW and Australian government advisory bodies. She chaired the consumer advisory panels for the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and the Credit & Insurance Ombudsman. She was Chair of the Australian and New Zealand Ombudsman Association.

Clare is currently the Customer Advocate (Wealth Remediation) for NAB, Chair of the New Energy Tech Consumer Code Council, Board member of Gadalargan Ltd, and Deputy Chair of the Asylum Seekers Centre. 

Clare has a Master degree in Social Administration (London School of Economics and Political Science), Bachelor of Social Studies and Diploma of Criminology (Sydney) and is a member of AICD.

---

Ken Wood

Ken Wood has a breadth of experience in management, finance, risk, compliance and integrity. 

From November 2001 to December 2021, Ken held a critical management, compliance and integrity role at AFL, responsible for the compliance of AFL clubs and players with the AFL Player Rules and Collective Bargaining Agreement. This encompassed management and compliance of clubs with the salary cap, including investigations, approval of all player agreements, management of the Football Department Soft Cap and management of the movement of players through the Trade Period, Free Agency and the National Draft. 

Prior to working at the AFL, Ken was with international chartered accounting firm, Ernst & Young, where he held various positions from Manager, Corporate Audit, Director, Corporate Finance, and management positions including National General Manager, Corporate Finance and General Manager of the Melbourne Office. These roles included being responsible for both private and listed company audits, running internal compliance programs for the integrity of audit and corporate finance practices, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, advising on company sales and purchases, negotiating deals and valuing businesses.

Ken is a Chartered Accountant, holds a Master of Finance from Melbourne University, and is a member of AICD and the AFLPA Agent Accreditation Board.

Board meeting minutes

As part of its Open Government Strategy, the ACT Government is committed to:

• transparency in process and information
• participation by citizens in the governing process
• public collaboration in finding solutions to problems and participation in the improved well-being of the community

With this in mind, we publish approved Board minutes as soon as possible after each meeting.