Originally trained by major landlords, I have a solid 20 years of consistent value-add lease negotiations representing retailers. Having completed each phase from initial discussions through to all documentation and overseeing fitout I have successfully managed renewals, new store openings, closures, relocations and disputes.

Managed negotiations on behalf of Just Jeans, Jay Jays, Dotti, Portmans, Jaqui E, Smiggle and Peter Alexander. Negotiations were with Australia's major shopping centre landlords and single property owners. The Just Group provided valuable experience in all facets of leasing with a retail chain - from new stores, renewals, closures, and relocations to documentation and working with the fitout teams.Successful negotiations were achieved in the tough retailing environment that Australia continues to experience. Many involved negotiating appropriate rent reductions or the closing of stores that were no longer feasible.

Frank Fitzgerald and I established Retail Workshop in the year 2000 as a shopping centre leasing, retail planning, project leasing and general retailer consultancy business.Through Retail Workshop I have had involvement in all aspects of shopping centre leasing, from the planning stages of new centres or re-developments of existing centres, to the finalising of legal documentation. Some of our major clients have included QIC, AMP and Lend Lease.In 2002/2003 we initiated our own shopping centre development with four partners. The successful development comprised Coles and 20 specialties. We subsequently sold the centre for a good profit at a very sharp yield. My role included the negotiation of the Coles' commercial terms and their lease document, general leasing and the ultimate sale of the centre. All deals were completed ahead of both rent and incentive budgets and the ahead of time.During this period I was also the sole property executive in managing the growth of a NSW based Japanese Sushi food chain from 3 stores to over 30 stores and two restaurants. Working closely with the owner of the company we selected appropriate sites, and it was my role to negotiate the commercial terms of the leases as well as all documentation.In 2012 I had an opportunity to join a major specialty retail group and took on a full time contract role with The Just Group, extending the initial 12 month contract to a total of 19 months. This role added valuable experience in all facets of leasing with a retail chain - from new stores, renewals, closures, and relocations to documentation and working with the fitout teams.

Originally joining QIC as National Leasing Manager when it was a relative newcomer to shopping centre ownership and management I was a participant in bringing the Shopping Centre Management and Leasing functions in-house. Based in Brisbane as the National Leasing Manager I oversaw all shopping centre static, development and remix leasing across our assets in NSW, Canberra and Victoria.Wanting to get back to the "coal face" I initiated a very successful move to project leasing.

Joining Lend Lease Retail from University, as a graduate Trainee Development Manager, assisted in the refurbishment of Penrith Plaza in Sydney's west. I was then involved in the retail planning of several Lend Lease managed centres for the purpose of adding value to centres that were under performing. Understanding the development team relied on the leasing team to engage the retailers and negotiate the outcomes I initiated a move to the leasing team for a major shopping centre expansion for the experience, and stayed in the leasing team for the remainder of my time at Lend Lease Retail.