ASIA-PACIFIC’s first commercial property online platform, CorporateRealEstate.com, has appointed as directors two of Australia’s most experienced commercial property agents, Tom Barr and Don Mackenzie, as part of its business acceleration.

The CorporateRealEstate.com platform was launched this year to connect corporate tenants, tenant representatives, and investors to real estate opportunities throughout the region.

Mr Barr, formerly JLL’s director of commercial leasing Queensland, and Mr Mackenzie, previously JLL leasing director for Queensland, will focus on sales and business development at CorporateRealEstate.com, encouraging more agencies, major funds and owners to join as members.

“It’s an extremely exciting opportunity to be involved in the development of Asia-Pacific’s first property platform that focuses purely on the corporate market,” Mr Barr said.

“The industry response to CorporateRealEstate.com has been extremely positive. Don and I have been brought on to secure strong win-win relationships with property owners and funds, agencies and tenant representatives both locally, and throughout Asia Pacific.”

Since launching in March, CorporateRealEstate.com has signed some of Australia’s leading owners as Corporate Gold Members, including Brookfield, Charter Hall, GPT, Investa and Leighton Properties.

CorporateRealEstate.com’s owner members have a combined property portfolio value of more than $70 billion which has attracted interest from Fortune 500-level companies across Asia-Pacific.

“It’s the value that CorporateRealEstate.com’s memberships offer, which owners and agencies have responded so well to,” Mr Mackenzie said. “As Gold Owner Members, major institutional funds and owners can list all of their properties for one annual fee.”

CorporateRealEstate.com director and property entrepreneur Adam Flaskas, who founded the platform with co-director Grey Rogers, said the appointment of Mr Barr and Mr Mackenzie was evidence of their strong commitment to building Asia-Pacifc’s most exclusive corporate property platform.

“Tom and Don have been instrumental in negotiating some of the largest office leasing transactions in the Brisbane market,” Mr Flaskas said. “They bring a unique skillset and strong working relationships with key tenant representatives and Commonwealth Government advisors nationally which will be instrumental to our business development.”

Commencing his property career at Savills in 2003, Mr Barr spent four years in office investment sales and leasing. He then joined JLL in 2007 as a manager in the office leasing team and quickly established himself as a market leader and was later appointed as a director of JLL.

In 2011, Mr Barr was a recipient of the Elite Club Award, which recognises the ‘best of the best elite hunters and gatherers’ within JLL in Australia – awarded each year to the 12 top performers who have delivered the largest financial contribution or who have exceeded their performance plan by the largest amount for the year.

Mr Mackenzie has more than 12 years commercial experience in the Brisbane office market. In this time he forged relationships with the State Government and Brisbane City Council, which amounted to more than 210,000sqm in commercial leasing transactions.

He has also been involved in some of Brisbane’s largest fringe transactions and was recently part of the successful project marketing of Brisbane’s largest inner city office developments.

www.corporaterealestate.com

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CSIRO chief executive, Megan Clark, has developed new operating arrangements at the organisation aimed at making it easier to do business with CSIRO.

Dr Clark said the changes were designed to make it easier for staff to deliver science that makes a difference to people, industry and the planet. 

From July 2014, CSIRO will have three lines of business: National Facilities and Collections; Impact Science – including a new Flagship portfolio; and Services – including education, publishing, infrastructure technologies, SME engagement and CSIRO Futures.

Dr Clark said Dave Williams will be executive director National Facilities and Collections and will retain responsibility for the Information Management and Technology function.

Maurice Moloney will be executive director Agribusiness, Food and Health, responsible for the Agricultural Productivity, Food and Nutrition and Biosecurity Flagships. Dr Moloney will be responsible for the Black Mountain Precinct strategy.

Anita Hill will be executive director Manufacturing, Productivity and Services, responsible for the Digital Productivity and Services and Future Manufacturing Flagships, as well as the Services line of business. Dr Hill will be responsible for the Clayton and Parkville Precinct strategies and she will also chair the Health, Safety and Environment Committee.

Andrew Johnson will be executive director for Environment responsible for the Oceans and Atmosphere and Land and Water Flagships. Dr Johnson is also responsible for coordinating CSIRO’s Northern Australia strategy. He is responsible for the Ecosystems Science Precinct in Brisbane and retains oversight of the Indigenous Engagement Strategy.

Alex Wonhas will be executive director for Energy and Resources responsible for the Minerals Flagship and Energy Flagship and the National Resources Science Precinct in Perth.

Dr Clark said these executive directors will join chief finance officer Hazel Bennett, and deputy chief executive for Science, Strategy and People, Craig Roy, as the executive team of the CSIRO from July 1.

The process for filling the Flagship director, deputy Flagship (science) director, services director, and general manager for business development and commercial roles is now underway, Dr Clark said.

www.csiro.org.au

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SME Association of Australia (SMEAA) chairman Craig West has announced the appointment of award winning business owner, broadcaster and City of Sydney Councillor Angela Vithoulkas to the association’s recently restructured board as a director.

Since the new look board was established under the chairmanship of Craig West in late February, it has moved quickly to implement a number of key strategic initiatives and programs that will position SMEAA as the peak body and leading voice of SMEs in Australia.

Mr West said ensuring the board had a comprehensive balance of skills and expertise – “but most importantly was comprised of small business owners with personal experience and affinity with the SME sector” – was a primary goal for the group.

Welcoming Cr Vithoulkas to the association board, Mr West acknowledged her extensive contribution to the small business sector over many years which, has been recognised through numerous prestigious awards and accolades.

“Angela Vithoulkas has built a successful career as a small business owner, entrepreneur and key note speaker,” Mr West said. “ In September 2012, she was elected to the City of Sydney Council and is recognised for managing an inner city business group Vivo Cafe’, including the establishment of Australia’s first online radio station, Eagle Waves Radio aimed at small business.

“In addition, Angela’s contribution to business has been recognised by her many awards that include the City of Sydney Business of the Year and NSW Entrepreneur of the Year, as well as 2007 Telstra Women’s Business Owner of the Year.”

Angela Vithoulkas said in response to the appointment, “This is a truly exciting time for the SMEAA and I am proud to be part of such an energetic and dedicated board, committed to supporting and acknowledging the efforts and contribution the sector provides the Australian economy.”

Mr West said the SMEAA was established in late 2011 to represent the vast number of SMEs throughout the country to government, large businesses and the Australian public.

Today, he said, the peak body was the leading voice of Australia’s SMEs with over 18,500 members and is committed to its vital role representing Australia’s small business sector.

Mr West said the SMEAA board’s next priority was the launch of an online survey to gather feedback, comments and opinions from the Australian SME community as the results will provide the board a solid view of the primary concerns, issues and ideas that can then be relayed to government on behalf of the Association and its members.

Mr West also confirmed that the appointment of SMEAA’s new CEO would be announced in the coming week.

www.smeaustralia.asn.au

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THE construction industry may have endured some of its toughest trading conditions over the past few years, but it is skilling and innovating for a very bright future, judging by the 2013 Construction Skills Queensland Excellence Awards results.

Some of the best results were from regions that have weathered some of the most challenging trading conditions, such as the Gold Coast, where a total of four awards were won - Major Training Group as Registered Training Organization of the Year; Usher and Sons Commercial Coatings and McConnell Dowell's Light Rail Project both for Employer Commitment to Training Excellence; and Jon Lea who won the individual Construction Professional of the Year award.

Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ) presented the winners of this year's Excellence Awards in front of a crowd of 1000 industry members at a gala event at Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday (November 8).

CSQ CEO Brett Schimming said the evening, whose major sponsor is Lend Lease, saw the construction industry come together to honour its best and brightest.

"CSQ would like to congratulate the winners, finalists and nominees of the 2013 Excellence Awards for their exceptional industry achievements over the past year," Mr Schimming said.

"Their contributions to Queensland's building and construction industry are impressive and they are an inspiration to each of us to work harder and continue striving for excellence. 

"Through the exceptional quality of nominations and a sold-out event, this year's Excellence Awards confirms industry leaders are recognising the vital role of training and upskilling for the future growth of the industry," he said.

Mr Schimming said Construction Skills Queensland is an independent industry-funded body supporting employers, workers, apprentices and career seekers in the building and construction industry. CSQ provides the construction industry with strategic insights and data to help plan workforce needs well into the future and these insights are supported with advice and funding assistance through a range of programs and initiatives.

The 2013 Excellence Awards are strongly supported through sponsorship by the indsutry's leading organisations, including Mirvac and dinner sponsor Electrogroup Apprenticeships and Training.

Award winners were announced in 12 categories:

Hutchinson Builders Award for Construction School of the Year: St Laurence's College, South Brisbane.

Master Electricians Australia Award for Construction Student of the Year: Andrea Oliveri, Cairns.

The Construction Training Centre Award for Registered Training Organization of the Year: Major Training Group, Gold Coast.

Bechtel Award for Employer Commitment to Training Excellence (up to $20 million turnover): Usher and Son Commercial Coatings Pty Ltd, Gold Coast.

Major Training Award for Employer Commitment to Training Excellence (over $20 million turnover): McConnell Dowell - Gold Coast Light Rail Project, Gold Coast.

Sarina Russo Apprenticeships Award for Construction Indigenous Person of the Year: Jason Smith, Cairns.

National Association of Women in Construction Award for Construction Female of the Year: Nadia Mendez, Toowong

Civil Contractors Federation Award for Construction Professional of the Year: Jon Lea, Gold Coast.

Training and Assessment Mentor Award for Construction Trainer of the Year: Peter Hopper, Mackay.

Laing O'Rourke Award for Construction Trainee of the Year: Sidney Scarth-Johnson, Brisbane North.

Lend Lease Award for Construction Apprentice of the Year: David Keys, Everton Hills.

Judges Outstanding Achievement Award: Tec- NQ Ltd, Townsville.

www.csq.org.au

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