APN senior management

The leaders of our business possess significant and deep property expertise, having led or worked for many of the largest and most successful real estate companies, locally and globally.

David Blight Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer David joined APN Property Group in November 2008 as Managing Director after a distinguished career with ING Group encompassing domestic and extensive global responsibilities. Since 2005, he was Chairman and CEO, ING Real Estate Investment Management and Vice Chairman, ING Real Estate based in The Hague, overseeing a portfolio of over $200b in 22 countries around the world. Prior to this, David was Managing Director, ING Real Estate Investment Management in Australia. David has also held senior positions with Armstrong Jones Management Ltd (ING Real Estate’s predecessor in Australia) and the Mirvac Group. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Property Resource Management (Valuation).

Christopher Aylward Executive Chairman Chris has been involved in the Australian property and construction industry for over 30 years. Prior to jointly establishing APN in 1996, Chris was the founding director of Grocon Pty Limited and had responsibility for the construction of commercial and retail properties in Sydney and Melbourne with a total value of over $2 billion, including Governor Phillip and Governor Macquarie Towers in Sydney and 120 Collins Street and the World Congress Centre in Melbourne.

Howard Brenchley Executive Director Howard has a high profile in the property trust industry as an investor, researcher and commentator for over 20 years. Prior to joining APN Funds Management in 1998, Howard was co-founder and research director of Property Investment Research Pty Limited, an independent Australian research company, specialising in the property trust sector. Howard was responsible for the origination and development of APN FM’s funds management business and as Chief Investment Officer, continues to oversee all investment management and product development.

Clive Appleton Executive Director and Head of Private Funds Clive joined the APN Property Group Limited as managing director in April 2004 after a long career in property and funds management. Prior to joining the Group, Clive was the managing director of the Gandel Group, one of Australia’s foremost shopping centre developers and managers. Prior to joining the Gandel Group in 1996, Clive was managing director of Centro Properties Limited (formerly Jennings Properties Limited), a listed property developer, manager and owner.

John Freemantle Chief Financial Officer John has been involved in the property industry since 1977. Before joining APN Property Group in 2006, he worked with Dillingham Constructions, Jennings Property Group and Centro Properties Group (formerly Jennings Property Group), where he held the roles of Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary for 17 years.

Michael Doble Chief Executive Officer, Real Estate Securities Michael joined APN FM in 2003 and is responsible for the portfolio management of APN FM’s property securities and direct property funds for the retail market. Michael has a total of 21 years experience in property valuation, consultancy and funds management. Before joining APN FM, Michael was Head of Property at ANZ Funds Management Limited. Michael is a Fellow of both the Australian Property Institute and the Financial Services Institute of Australasia.

Tim Slattery Chief Operating Officer Tim joined the APN Property Group in April 2006 and leads its management team in Europe. Tim has particular expertise in the legal and commercial aspects of Australian and international asset acquisitions, divestments, restructures and the arrangement of related structured finance. Tim is a qualified lawyer and before joining the APN Property Group he spent several years at Freehills, a top tier law firm based in Australia, working on takeovers, equity and debt capital markets, corporate finance, banking, infrastructure and mergers and acquisitions transactions. He has a wide range of legal and commercial experience from working on a large number of significant acquisitions