“Real Estate in ECEC – Unpacking freehold ownership” in the spotlight at ECEC Owners and Landlords Forum

With less than four weeks until the inaugural ECEC Owners & Landlords Forum, to be held in Brisbane on 7 March 2025, The Sector founder and event host Jason Roberts continues to profile the key panels and panelists ahead of the event. 

Having already profiled the highly anticipated Policy panel, as well as the Owners panel, this week he turns his attention to the Freehold focused panel “Real Estate in ECEC – Unpacking freehold ownership” which will feature three highly accomplished leaders from across the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector, each with specialist expertise in areas including ownership, valuation and financing.  

“As the ECEC sector has grown in size over the last decade or so, owning freehold property in the space has become increasingly desirable,” Mr Roberts said, “with landlords attracted to the essential nature of the service, long leases and substantial Government support at both the state and federal level.”

The reality, however, is that real estate is a complex space at the best of times and for existing landlords, or any prospective landlords, there is always lots to learn, he continued. 

“That’s why we have brought together a panel with diverse expertise who can speak with authority on any stage of the ECEC real estate chain, making this session a must attend for those with a specific interest in the ECEC real estate space.

During the panel discussions important questions such as “What are key criteria for evaluating freehold opportunities? What drives an ECEC centre valuation? At what point does finance need to be arranged?  and How to weigh up the build versus buy decision? will be explored. 

Adam Thomas, Burgess Rawson – Carla Hayes, Charter Hall – Mark Hamilton, NAB

Adam Thomas, Director at Burgess Rawson; Carla Hayes, Deputy Fund Manager at Charter Hall and; Mark Hamilton, Director at NAB will be joining Kate Robinson, one of the early learning sector’s leading valuers and a Director at Savills on stage to unpack the central questions relevant to ECEC freehold ownership right now. 

Mr Thomas is one of Australia’s leading ECEC free hold real estate agents having overseen more than 370 sales with a combined valuation of in excess of $1 billion in value and is considered the pre-eminent authority on the market and the complex chain of decisions that both buyers and sellers are required to go through to complete a sale. 

Ms Hayes has over 13 years experience working at Australia’s largest ECEC focused Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), Charter Hall in a range of capacities including as a deputy fund manager, transaction manager and property coordinator, an experience profile that is invaluable in the current market ace given the outsized role REITS play.

Mr Hamilton is a deeply experienced commercial banking professional with over 11 years of experience at NAB and is currently the Director of  Early Education Sector Banking. Having worked for so long in the sector, Mr Hamilton’s network and knowledge of financing both freehold and leasehold businesses is second to none and his presence on the panel will help shine a light on this crucial part of the acquisition process. 

“The team we have assembled for the “Real Estate in ECEC – Unpacking freehold ownership” panel really are second to none and will add to the already excellent line up featuring at this important new event,” Mr Roberts said. 

The ECEC Owners & Landlords Forum – A unique opportunity to engage with experts

The ECEC Owners and Landlords Forum, an innovative new event format launched as part of the Connect+ series by The Sector, aims to offer business owners and landlords the opportunity to engage with leading subject matter experts and proven, high profile ECEC leaders via carefully curated, moderator-led panel discussions combined with extended delegate-led Q&A.

Session 3 “Real Estate in ECEC – Unpacking freehold ownership” will be the third panel of the event and aims to address some of the many questions that current and aspiring ECEC freehold owners are grappling with now.

“Our intention at The Sector has always been to ensure that owners are sufficiently informed about their sector in a way which helps them to navigate their day to day roles and responsibilities,” Mr Roberts shared. 

“We are looking forward very much to engaging more deeply with our community on the day.” 

To find out more about the Owners and Landlords Forum and to register click here or contact Anna Boshell via email at [email protected] for more information.