Retail Property Australia has confirmed its inaugural leadership, appointing Kylie O’Connor, CEO Investment Management at Stockland as President, and Ben Ellis, Retail CEO at Charter Hall Group and Chris Forbes, Director, Real Estate Asset Management at QIC Real Estate as Vice Presidents.   

The appointments were confirmed at the first meeting of the Retail Property Australia Division Council, held in Sydney on Monday 9 February, and announced at the Property Council of Australia’s NSW Retail Outlook in Sydney this week.   

Retail Property Australia Executive Director William Power said the new leadership team comes at a critical moment for the sector. 
  

“Retail property is one of NSW’s most important economic and social assets. The retail property market is strong with buoyant spending and retail the most traded asset class for the third-year running,” Mr Power said.   

“Consumer expectations, tenant preferences and market dynamics mean retail precincts, centres and high streets need to keep evolving – in terms of performance, convenience and experience.”   

Retail Property Australia President Kylie O’Connor said the new Division will focus on practical, commercially grounded advocacy to support investment and stronger centres across Australia.  

“Retail property is complex, highly operational, and deeply connected to the communities it serves. Our job is to be a strong, practical voice for the sector, based on what’s happening on the ground.  

“We need planning and policy settings that support investment and renewal, enable mixed-use precincts, and keep costs and regulation focused on outcomes. That’s how we keep centres performing and communities thriving,” she said.  

Mr Power said the new Division Council would strengthen the sector’s voice on the practical reforms needed to support investment and renewal.   

“Retail property is evolving fast. If we want stronger centres, better precincts and ongoing investment, the policy and regulatory settings must keep pace,” he said.  

“Kylie, Ben, Chris, and our Division Council bring deep experience across investment, development, and operations. They’ll lead a focused agenda on the reforms that matter to our members, from planning and mixed-use delivery to productivity, fairer taxes and levies and better outcomes for customers and communities.” 

This week’s NSW Retail Outlook heard from industry leaders on the key forces shaping retail property in 2026 and beyond, including consumer conditions, capital flows and repricing, leasing demand, the role of mixed-use precincts, and the practical use of data, technology, and AI.