MEDIA RELEASE: Qualitas refreshes Advisory Board with new appointments

16 November 2021

Qualitas Group, one of Australia’s leading alternative real estate investment managers, is pleased to announce the appointment of experienced company directors Mary Ploughman and JoAnne Stephenson as independent non-executive members of its Advisory Board and the elevation of Andrew Fairley AM as Chair.

The changes, which are effective immediately, follow the retirement of long-serving directors Elana Rubin AM, Alan Schwartz AM and David Krasnostein AM and come as Qualitas prepares for the next stage of its growth.

Ms Ploughman, Ms Stephenson and Mr Fairley will join the existing advisory board members – Group Managing Director Andrew Schwartz, independent non-executive member Michael Schoenfeld and non-executive member Brian Delaney – on the Qualitas board.

Mr Fairley, who is recognised as one of Australia’s leading equity lawyers, recently retired after 12 years as the Chair of Equip Super, a $30 billion industry superannuation fund.  Previously, he was an independent director of the Board of Qualitas Securities Pty Ltd, which is the trustee board for the Qualitas funds.

Ms Ploughman has more than 30 years of experience in financial services, capital markets, securitisation, mergers and acquisitions, governance, and risk management across a range of financial, infrastructure and not-for-profit organisations. Ms Ploughman is Chair of Plenti Group, a fintech in consumer finance, and a non-executive director of Prospa Group, a fintech in SME finance.

Ms Stephenson has more than 25 years of experience in financial services, including 15 years as a partner at KPMG, and holds several board roles for public companies and government entities.  She is Chair of Myer and a non-executive director of Challenger.

Mr Fairley said: “I am delighted to take on the role of Chair and to welcome JoAnne and Mary to our Board as we look to build on Qualitas’ successful track record of continuously growing funds under management and delivering for our investors. Their energy, deep experience as company directors and new perspectives will be invaluable to Qualitas and highly complementary to the experience and expertise of our existing directors, who bring years of knowledge and understanding of our business and industry.”

Mr Andrew Schwartz thanked the retiring directors for their significant contribution to Qualitas.

“Our success in building one of Australia’s leading real estate investment management businesses over the past decade could not have been achieved without the support and leadership of Elana, Alan and David. With these changes, we are preparing for the next stage of our growth, retaining valuable corporate experience and knowledge while refreshing the board with high-quality new appointments,” he said.

November 2021

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Advisory Board biographies

For further information, please contact:
Kate Stokes, Head of Marketing and Communications
M: 0481 251 552
E: kate.stokes@qualitas.com.au