Aware Super has appointed Michelle McNally as the founding Chief Executive Officer of its new property platform, Aware Real Estate.
Ms McNally has joined from ISPT, where she worked in several senior executive roles. She has more than 25 years of property investment experience and her previous roles also include General Manager of Property for Australia Post and senior positions at Jones Lang LaSalle.
Aware Super is establishing Aware Real Estate to oversee its directly-owned Australian build-to-rent, in- dustrial and office property portfolio. The move is part of a suite of measures the fund is pursuing to achieve greater efficiencies, and subsequently even stronger returns for its 1.1 million members, through an evolution of its investment strategy.
Aware Real Estate already has a $1.5 billion property portfolio of high-quality industrial, office and residential assets across Australia. These include build-to-rent developments – including essential worker affordable housing – in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Canberra, and industrial investments in Western Sydney.
Damien Webb, Aware Super’s Deputy Chief Investment Officer and Head of Real Assets, said Ms McNally was the ideal leader for Aware Real Estate.
”In an exceptional field, Michelle was the standout candidate for this role,” Mr Webb said.
”We set our sights on finding an accomplished, energetic and visionary leader, and someone with deep, contemporary experience in the Australian property market. In Michelle, we’ve found just that. We’re very excited to have secured her for this position.
”Michelle’s values will resonate deeply with Aware Super members, who rely on us as their super fund to do well for them at the same time as doing good in the communities where they work, live and retire.”
Ms McNally said she was delighted to have joined the property platform.
”It’s wonderful to have come on board right at the outset to put the foundations in place for Aware Real Estate to deliver the strong investment returns that Aware Super is renowned for.
”Aware Super already has a strong track record of innovation and excellence in property investment, and it’s incredibly energising to have a hands-on leadership role as we prepare to launch a new chapter that builds on that impressive record.”
Aware Real Estate is being set up in partnership with Altis Property Partners, an independent Australian real estate investment manager. Altis has a strong track record in delivering quality projects with Aware Super and is playing a foundational role in establishing this portfolio.
Most recently at ISPT, Ms McNally was General Manager, Investor Solutions, Market Strategy and En- gagement, overseeing $20 billion in funds under management. Her other roles at ISPT included General Manager of the group’s $8 billion Australian office portfolio. At Australia Post, Ms McNally oversaw 1.8 million square metres of logistics, retail and office assets occupied by the postal authority.