About Aventus
Our Leadership

Bruce has spent over 30 years in corporate recovery and insolvency. He is a consultant at Ferrier Hodgson in Adelaide, where he was previously the Managing Partner for 19 years. Bruce was formerly a partner at Ernst & Young, Chair of the South Australian Economic Development Board and a Member of the Executive Committee of Cabinet.

Bruce is currently Chair of the Australian Submarine Corporation, Deputy Chair of SkyCity Entertainment Group Limited, a Director of the Bank of Queensland and a Director of Genessee & Wyoming Inc. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Heriot-Watt University and a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Adelaide. Bruce is a Fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Darren has more than 25 years’ experience in the retail property industry. He is experienced in leasing, development, asset management and acquisitions, and has grown Aventus assets under management from one centre in 2004 to 20 centres, valued at $2.1 billion as at February 2019.

Prior to co-founding Aventus, Darren played a leading role in the development and management of the only other pure-play listed large format retail owner and operator to date, Homemaker Retail Group. Darren holds a Bachelor of Business (Land Economics) from the University of Western Sydney and is a licensed Real Estate Agent.

Brett is Chairman and Founder of BB Retail Capital.BB Retail Capital is a pre-eminent private investment group with diverse interests across three key portfolios including global retail brand, retail properties and the beef industry. 

Brett also sits on the Board of Directors of Human Longevity Inc. 

Nico van der Merwe, the Group Chief Financial Officer of BBRC, acts as an alternate director for Brett Blundy.

Robyn is a Board Director and Executive Coach, working across the commercial, government and not-for-profit sectors. Drawing on a successful career spanning more than 25 years as a senior executive in large, complex organisations, Robyn sits on the Board of ASX-listed Invocare Limited as well as Lifeline Northern Beaches. She provides Executive Coaching services to a diverse range of corporate clients via ECI Partners.

Prior to joining the Aventus Board in 2015, Robyn spent eight years as General Manager at Stockland, her last role was leading retail leasing across a portfolio of 40 shopping centres nationally. Robyn is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Master of Science degree in Coaching Psychology from The University of Sydney. She was awarded a University Medal with her business degree from the University of Technology Sydney.

Kieran has over 25 years’ experience in the property industry. He spent nine years at Lendlease Corporation in the construction, development and investment management divisions, before becoming Chief Financial Officer at General Property Trust (GPT). Kieran remained CFO of GPT following the internalisation of management, before moving to Australand Property Group as CFO between 2010 and 2014, and from July 2016 until July 2018 held the role of CFO of Grocon Pty Limited. Kieran holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) from the University of Wollongong and is a Fellow of CPA Australia.

Darren has more than 25 years’ experience in the retail property industry. He is experienced in leasing, development, asset management and acquisitions, and has grown Aventus assets under management from one centre in 2004 to 20 centres, valued at $2.1 billion as at February 2019.

Prior to co-founding Aventus, Darren played a leading role in the development and management of the only other pure-play listed large format retail owner and operator to date, Homemaker Retail Group. Darren holds a Bachelor of Business (Land Economics) from the University of Western Sydney and is a licensed Real Estate Agent.

Lawrence has over 20 years’ experience in investment management, corporate development and financial services. He is responsible for capital management and financial reporting functions as well as overseeing investor relations, treasury and accounting. Prior to joining Aventus, Lawrence was the Fund Manager for a number of listed and unlisted funds at Brookfield Multiplex. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Marketing) from the University of New South Wales and is a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia.

Michael has worked in the property industry for over 20 years, with the past 16 years specialising in retail property. His broad experience includes roles that have spanned working for both landlords and retailers in the private and listed property sectors.

Prior to joining Aventus, Michael has held senior roles with ALDI Stores, Peregrine Corporation & Centro Properties Group (now Vicinity Centres). During his time at ALDI Stores, he was responsible for network planning, acquisitions, master planning, development and delivery of retail projects. Michael holds a Bachelor of Business (Property) from the University of South Australia and a Post Graduate in Applied Finance & Investment from the Securities Institute of Australia.

Jason joins Aventus with over 20 years’ of experience in retail leasing, specialising in retail planning and mix strategy for centre projects both new and existing. He has a strong base in retail partnerships with both local and international, particularly large format fast fashion and beauty retailers.

Prior to joining Aventus, Jason was with Westfield / Scentre Group working in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Australia and has lead key project groups in delivering first to market projects for Westfield in both New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Jason holds a Law Degree and a Bachelor of Arts from Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand and worked as a lawyer prior to joining Westfield.

Gary has over 24 years’ experience in the property industry, with the past 15 years spent in retail property. He is responsible for asset management and centre operations, overseeing centre management and marketing teams. Prior to joining Aventus, Gary worked with Westfield and QIC to manage some of Australia’s premier retail shopping centres, including Westfield Bondi Junction and Castle Towers. He holds a Diploma in Law from the Legal Profession Admissions Board, a Master of Management from the University of Technology Sydney, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New South Wales.

Mary has over 18 years’ experience as a legal practitioner. Since 2008, she has acted as Company Secretary for private and public companies. Prior to joining Aventus, Mary spent seven years as Legal Counsel and Company Secretary for Genea Limited, and nine years as a corporate lawyer at Multiplex Limited (now Brookfield Multiplex), working in the construction, development and funds management divisions.

Mary began her legal career as a Graduate Solicitor at Allens, followed by an Associate position in Baker McKenzie’s property division. She holds a combined arts law degree (Honours) from the University of Tasmania, and a Graduate Diploma of Applied Corporate Governance from the Governance Institute of Australia (GIA). She is an Associate Member of the GIA and the Institute of Chartered Secretaries (Australian division).

Sandra has over 30 years’ experience in managing organisational change and developing strategies to attract, manage and retain key talent. Prior to joining Aventus, Sandra was Human Resources Director at Avanade and has broad experience in professional services, previously holding senior positions at Ashurst and IBM. Sandra is a Fellow of the Australian Human Resources Institute.