Challenges and Opportunities in Australian Social Housing

Victoria is a seasoned non-executive director with experience across a diverse range of business sectors built on senior executive experience in financial services, including Citigroup and Westpac.

Victoria is currently a director of listed companies, the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank (ASX:BEN) and Alcidion Group (ASX:ALC), a leading healthcare technology provider.  Victoria is the immediate past President of FINSIA, having been a member of the FINSIA Board since 2013.

Victoria is also the immediate past Deputy Chair of St George Community Housing (SGCH) having served on various SGCH Boards since 2013. Victoria has held numerous non-executive roles in State and Federal government bodies, on boards in financial services, public health, property and agriculture, and the not-for-profit sector. Victoria’s is a passionate advocate for gender equality and was inaugural Chair of the Australian Gender Equality Council.

Scott Langford is the Group CEO at SGCH where he leads a team of 250 people who, together with partners, are applying a business head and social heart to grow and operate a portfolio of social, affordable, key worker and market rental housing. Scott has strong national and international networks, having served as Chairman of PowerHousing Australia for four years, as Chair of the International Housing Partnership and as Chair of the IHP Affordable Housing as a Global Asset Class working group. He is a Chartered Surveyor (MRICS) with a specialisation in housing management and development, holds an MBA and postgraduate qualification in property development. Scott believes good governance is paramount and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

SGCH has a vision of great places, thriving people, connected communities. The Group currently serves 12,000 customers living in 7000 homes. Bringing together capital and capability, SGCH has residential assets under management worth approximately $3.7 billion, including $1.3 billion of assets on the group balance sheet. To date, the group has mobilised over $1.01 billion of private sector investment into the portfolio and has a clear strategy to partner with institutional investors, including established relationships with NHFIC ($490m deployed) Lighthouse Infrastructure ($120m deployed) and a Sydney based family office ($150m deployed). SGCH has also formed a ground-breaking strategic partnering arrangement with AXA IM supported by a $300m umbrella commitment from NHFIC to develop a portfolio of affordable build to rent units. The first AXA IM and SGCH project comprises approximately 400 units in Westmead and is currently in construction.

Chuck develops and consults on professional qualifications for the banking and financial services industry. Corporations and individuals have welcomed the opportunity to achieve professional accreditation through these unique learning solutions and support FINSIA’s vision of raising professional standards in financial services.

Previously he was Executive Manager, Group Learning with CBA leading a diverse portfolio of teams, education programs, systems and projects that focused on developing capability throughout the Group. Before, embarking on his career in learning, Chuck gained 25 years’ experience within the business of CBA, including senior management roles in Electronic Banking, Retail Banking, Business Banking, Equipment Finance, and Business Development.