THE PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT REVIEW
Simone Desmarchelier Chair - City of Brisbane Investment Corporation (CBIC)
Newly appointed CBIC chair Simone Desmarchelier brings more than 25 years of property investment background to the role and is looking forward to watching Brisbane take shape ahead of the Olympic Games.
With more than 25 years’ experience in real estate across Australia, United Kingdom and Europe, recently appointed chair of the CBIC Simone Desmarchelier is well-equipped to take on Brisbane’s investment mantle. Desmarchelier says CBIC’s growth ambition is appealing, as well as a return to her hometown after many years living in the UK, working with Deutsche Bank and in Milan, working as the consul-general and senior trade commissioner to Italy. She is also relishing the idea of helping to shape the city ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games and enabling the Brisbane City Council to invest in more green space for her 10-year-old son to enjoy. “What I like about CBIC is that it is conscious that it’s investing for the benefit of not just one but multiple generations of people in Brisbane, so the approach to investment always comes back to that long-term focus,” she says. “Although a commercial return is important, CBIC is mindful of who is going to benefit in the long run. “CBIC has delivered solid performance in its core real estate investments since its inception. In the last financial year, it delivered an overall return of 13.8 per cent, outperforming its original return target.” Desmarchelier says there are plenty of women in top jobs in the property sector creating pathways for younger generations, including QIC chief executive Kylie Rampa and ADCO chairman Judy Brinsmead. “I think that more is being done, I think people who are in a position to promote and appoint people are more conscious of seeking out both male and female candidates for similar roles,” she says. “But I still think it has to come down to who has the right skill set and temperament for that role.”
Alice Hanna People and culture manager - Kapitol
Alice Hanna says wholesale change is needed across the construction industry to make it a more viable employment option for women.
Alice Hanna is at the coal face. As the people and culture manager at one of Australia’s newest and most innovative construction companies, she says she wants to drive change in the industry. “Kapitol focuses on innovation, experimentation and pushing the boundaries to improve the industry as a whole,” she says. She says Kapitol is focused on attracting and retaining good staff because it drives the success of the business. But Hanna says “wholesale change is needed across the board” in the construction sector. “We need more senior female role models so that young women can see themselves reflected in the industry, meaning the structural, cultural and bias barriers preventing women reaching those roles need to be broken down,” she says. “The culture of the industry needs to change to be a more safe, welcoming, equitable and inclusive industry.” Hanna also points to structural change to work hours to enable a Monday to Friday work week. One in five construction jobs is held by a woman, according to Procore data, and these tend to be office-bound roles. But it’s not only about gender equality in construction. “The research clearly shows the more diverse workforces are more successful, both in terms of quality of outcomes, profit and candidate attraction and retention. Diversity also promotes innovative thought and let’s be honest, the industry is behind the 8-ball when it comes to innovation. “There’s a huge opportunity for the industry to improve itself through a diverse workforce and huge opportunities for women that they don’t currently have equal access to.”
June / July 2023 – 11
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