New boss of property peak body to focus on affordable housing

Charter Hall executive Bradley Norris will replace Howard Smith Wharves boss Luke Fraser as president of the Queensland Property Council.

Property sector has potential.

Charter Hall executive Bradley Norris will replace Howard Smith Wharves boss Luke Fraser as president of the Queensland Property Council.

Norris, who is Charter Hall’s regional development director for Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia, has more than 20 years’ experience in office developments and transactions and will focus on driving economic development and sustainable, affordable housing in his new role.

“Queensland has an exciting future and as the state’s largest industry, the property sector will play a significant role in delivering on that potential,” Norris says.

“While the industry continues to face many challenges, it also offers many of the solutions to Queensland’s most pressing issues – from driving economic development to delivering sustainable, affordable housing, and helping forge Queensland’s reputation as a globally recognised destination.”

Outgoing Queensland Property Council president Luke Frazer (left) with incoming president Bradley Norris

Fraser will remain on the council as immediate past president. Norris will be joined on the council by continuing vice president Michelle Wooldridge from local developer Pikos, while Stockland’s Adrian Allen has been elected as the new co-vice president.

Three new faces will also join the division council, including Knight Frank’s Jennelle Wilson, Waterfront Brisbane’s project director Matt Beasley from Dexus and Shannon Willoughby representing The University of Queensland.

They replace retiring members Andrew Hay, Matthew Miller and Michael Stone.

Vaxxas expansion

Brisbane-based needle-free vaccine patch company Vaxxas will expand its global capabilities with the appointment of three internationally respected vaccine industry leaders.

DrEmilio Emini, the former head of the Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research, Dr Nathalie Garcon, of GSK Biologicals, and Professor Paul Young, emeritus professor at The University of Queensland, join Vaxxas to advise on product development and strategy as the company continues to advance its proprietary needle-free vaccine technology.

Based in the US, Europe, and Australia, the advisers enhance Vaxxas’ global reach and will provide critical input to the company’s product pipeline, including its COVID-19, influenza and Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Vaxxas scientist at work.

The appointments join Dr Charles Knirsch, an infectious disease physician, who came to Vaxxas in July 2024 as a clinical and medical adviser following a 20-year career at Pfizer where he was chief development officer of infectious diseases.

Vaxxas’ secret sauce tech is a small patch with thousands of vaccine‐coated microprojections that can be applied to the skin for just a few seconds to efficiently deliver vaccine to cells just below the skin’s surface.

Vaxxas is at the vanguard of a growing biohealth ecosystem in Brisbane driven by research coming out of institutions such as the University of Queensland and the Translational Research Institute (TRI) at Princess Alexandra Hospital.

Centre hire

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) has announced the appointment of a new communications and marketing manager ahead of the centre’s 30th anniversary this year.

The ASM Global-managed BCEC has appointed Karyn Sutton to lead the marketing team after a career in business development and public relations in international five-star hotels, cruise lines, and more recently, in local government.

BCEC general manager Kym Guesdon says the appointment is key to BCEC’s growth strategy and part of the foundational work as an Olympic venue and city partner in maximising the opportunities of hosting the 2032 Olympic & Paralympic Games.

Brisbane Convention Centre boss Kym Guesdon.

Originally published as New boss of property peak body to focus on affordable housing