Property Council CEO to step down

Ken Morrison has announced his resignation after eight years as CEO. 

The property lobby group has said that Mr Morrison will finish at the end of the year, as he looks to “pursue other career opportunities”. 

The outgoing CEO first took up the position in 2014, and has spent more than 25 years in the organisation, having previously served as chief operating officer and NSW Executive Director. Mr Morrison was also previously the CEO of the Tourism and Transport Forum.

Announcing the news, Mr Morrison thanked the board, executive, staff and members he had worked with over the years, stating: “It has been a special privilege to lead this organisation, but the time is right for me to step away and pursue other opportunities.”

The outgoing CEO said he was “incredibly proud of the work of the Property Council and the powerful and positive impact [it has] had on the industry and the community”.

It has been immensely rewarding to make a contribution to the policies which help shape our cities and drive our economy,” he said.

“I hope to continue to be able to play a role in our national life in the future.”

A search process has now begun to find a successor for the leadership role.

Noting Mr Morrison's legacy, the national President of the Property Council, David Harrison, honoured Mr Morrison’s contribution to the industry and to Australian public policy over his career.

He said: “Ken has been a tremendous leader of the Property Council over a long period and we wish him well for the future.

“He has helped the industry see itself differently, led our advocacy efforts across a host of issues and navigated the organisation through the pandemic.”

Mr Harrison said the outgoing CEO was a “leading policy thinker in cities, planning, sustainability and tax — one who knows how to influence governments to get outcomes”, flagging how leadership over the pandemic and his work on improving diversity in the industry.

“While there is still much work to do, this has begun a deep transformation which is having a real impact,” he said.

“Ken leaves the Property Council in a very strong position: a highly influential organisation, record membership support and a clear strategy in place,” he said.

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