"Levande is now one of the largest retirement living providers in Australia, and will offer communities to support a modern, independent lifestyle, and the ability to age in peace."
The brand "Stockland" is ubiquitous across Australia, thanks chiefly to the group's sheer scale of influence in the world of commercial property. But with EQT Infrastructure acquiring Stockland’s 58 retirement villages earlier this year, a fresh name in retirement living is set to launch into the public conscious.
EQT have established Levande, a new brand set to manage these 58 villages, with David Gonski AC appointed as Chair, and Suzanne Dvorak serving as Chief Executive Officer of the new organisation.
David Gonski AC and Suzanne Dvorak
The personnel
Mr. Gonski is one of Australia’s preeminent business leaders and was previously chair of the ANZ Banking Group, Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd, Sydney Airport Corporation Ltd, and ASX Ltd. He is currently non-executive chair of Barrenjoey Capital Partners Group and is the Chancellor of UNSW, President of the Art Gallery of NSW Trust, and a Director of the Lowy Institute for International Policy.
Ms. Dvorak is an experienced retirement living and aged care executive, and was most recently Managing Director of Bupa Villages and Aged Care, Australia, where she oversaw a team of more than 10,000 employees across 72 care homes to support the needs of 6,000 residents.
The brand’s focus
Providing living and support for over 10,000 Australians and with more than 300 employees, Levande is now one of the largest retirement living providers in Australia, and will offer communities to support a modern, independent lifestyle, and the ability to age in peace.
Led by Mr. Gonski and Ms. Dvorak, the new board and executive leadership team are focused on continuing to invest in Levande’s portfolio to ensure the highest level of support for senior Australians. The change in ownership will provide the business with greater access to capital, so as to remain a clear industry leader and drive growth across the business.
Newport Retirement Village - Acquired by EQT Infrastructure for new brand, Levande
David Gonski AC welcomed the launch of a new brand and provider for a significant property asset.
“We are excited by the opportunity to introduce Levande’s new vision for retirement living to current and future residents, and are delighted to have appointed someone of Suzanne Dvorak’s calibre to lead the business,” Mr. Gonski said.
“Levande will be a purpose-led business, and part of the work in front of us is to shape our sustainability goals, which will be a core part of the brand’s value proposition. From decarbonisation targets to ensuring all new developments adhere to best-in-class sustainability metrics, Levande will seek to become the clear industry leader on all areas of ESG.”
For Ms. Dvorak, one of the core aims of the new organisation is adjusting the ‘retirement living’ model to work within an evolving, modern framework.
“The concept of ‘retirement living’ is changing, as many residents aren’t retired – so we think of it as ‘lifestyle living’,” Ms. Dvorak explained.
“At Levande, residents can choose a home and know that it will support their lifestyle and be their base in the years to come as they pursue their interests.”
