QIC Real Estate managing director Michael O’Brien is the new president of the Property Council of Australia.
O’Brien takes the reins from Charter Hall managing director and group chief executive David Harrison, who concluded his two-year term at the Property Council of Australia board meeting.
With more than 30 years of property industry experience, O’Brien (pictured, on right) is responsible for driving real estate investment and business strategy for QIC.
Stockland managing director and chief executive Tarun Gupta and Dexus executive general manager, funds management Deborah Coakley were elected as national vice-presidents.
Gupta was appointed to the role with Stockland in 2021 and has more than 25 years of industry experience.
Coakley is responsible for managing Dexus’s funds management business and has been a change leader across the property sector, human resources and in consulting, having worked at Deloitte and Qantas.
She is a past president of the Property Council Capital Markets Division.
O’Brien said it was an honour to be elected to the top job and that he was committed to further elevating the organisation’s respected advocacy work.
“It is a privilege to be elected by my industry peers to this important role, and to represent an industry that creates more jobs for Australians than any other,” O’Brien said.
“The property sector shapes how we live, how we work, and our opportunities, and it underpins the strength of our economy, providing jobs in every city, region and town in Australia.
“I acknowledge the exceptional industry leadership of David Harrison. David successfully championed the industry and the property council through one of the most challenging periods in recent memory.”
Property Council of Australia chief executive Mike Zorbas (pictured) said O’Brien brought deep insight from across the sector and around the country.
“Michael is a change agent whose interest in tackling the housing supply and affordability crisis, planning our cities better, smarter investment settings and showcasing the globally recognised sustainability credentials of Australia’s property sector, is inspiring.”
Harrison will assume the role of immediate past president and under the organisation’s constitution, will remain a member the property council board for a further two years in that capacity.
