Scentre Group CEO Elliott Rusanow has been elected chair of the Shopping Centre Council of Australia (SCCA) for three years, succeeding Region Group CEO Anthony Mellowes.
Rusanow, who was joint-deputy chair of the SCCA for the past three years, will be succeeded by Peter Huddle, CEO and MD of Vicinity Centres, who was also joint-deputy chair from 2022 to 2025.
Rusanow described his election as “an honour”.
“I am committed to the SCCA’s strategy to advocate strongly for our industry’s continued growth, which is recognised as a significant contributor to Australia’s economy and social fabric.
He said the SCCA’s priorities moving forward include working with stakeholders across a number of areas, including retail leasing, competition policy, productivity, community safety and security, and the role industry plays as key social infrastructure for communities and as part of the solution to housing supply into the future.
“I am looking forward to working together with Peter, fellow directors, members, our CEO Angus Nardi and the team in engaging with policy makers, regulators and progressing our industry’s priorities.”
Rusanow also paid tribute to Mellowes’ significant commitment and contribution to the SCCA as chair for the past three years.
“Under Anthony’s leadership, the SCCA has progressed important advocacy to promote growth and avoid unnecessary and costly regulation, particularly on the Federal Government’s merger reforms, where the SCCA secured important exemptions,” said Rusanow.
“We have engaged in support of community safety-driven reform, including knife crime laws, and the introduction of new wanding powers for police. The SCCA also continued its collaboration with law enforcement and other industry bodies, establishing the Retail Crime Industry Partnership to address crime in retail settings in 2024.”
He also singled out the SCCA’s work launching its Be Kind in Retail campaign nationally, promoting a message of respect for all workers in retail settings.
Mellowes said it had been a privilege to chair the SCCA and work closely alongside the industry’s leaders.
“The SCCA is focused on securing tangible outcomes for our industry. I’m very proud to have contributed to important outcomes on merger reform and important community safety reforms. I thank my fellow SCCA directors for their ongoing support and wish Elliott and Peter the best in their new appointments.”
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