Michael Gutman OBE
FOUNDER, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER & DIRECTOR
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE MEMBER
Michael gained his real estate experience covering most asset classes over the past four decades at key Australian listed groups including Mirvac, Lendlease and most recently at Westfield Corporation where he has just retired following the $23bn acquisition by Unibail Rodamco closing in June 2018.
Originally qualifying as an architect in 1980, for the past 25 years Michael has made a significant contribution to the strategic growth of Westfield, both domestically and internationally culminating in his role as Global President and Chief Operating Officer and having served as main board Director for the last four years. The team at Westfield under his responsibility numbered 1000 people in the US and UK in the fields of Development, Design, Construction, Leasing, Management and Marketing.
Michael received the Officer of the British Empire in 2015 for services to retail and regeneration in the UK following his leadership of the successful redevelopments at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford city.
In addition to his experience with the creation and operation of very large (circa $1bn) retail real estate projects in Australia, the UK and the US (including Westfield Doncaster, Westfield Fountain Gate, Westfield London, Westfield Stratford City and Westfield Century City), Michael also led the identification of many value add opportunities and new strategic directions for the Westfield portfolio which were highly profitable and value accretive. These included several thousand apartment sites for sale or rental, commercial office buildings which were built speculatively or pre let to major government departments, and surplus land disposed of to other high value users.
Michael has worked closely with Westfield’s founding shareholders and leadership team, growing the company over almost half its listed history.
Michael is keen to continue in his field leveraging his knowledge of the Australian market, the commercial development industry and the opportunities ahead to deliver solid returns and build a unique portfolio.
Michael intends to be a significant investor in the Fund to ensure maximum alignment with investors.
Michael will heavily leverage his background and business network to secure and deliver opportunities for the funds.