After 14 years as CEO of the Sydney-based owner/operator of land lease, rental and holiday parks, Simon has penned his farewell.
In a LinkedIn post on Friday, 28 June, Simon wrote (with The SOURCE images added):
"Yesterday I finished my journey with Ingenia Communities Group although I will remain a committed securityholder.
"It has been a tremendous honour and privilege to work at Ingenia for the past 14.5 years and to be part of a business that has always been a leader and marched to the beat of our own drum.
"There have been so many amazing and incredible stories over this period, some of which I look back today and question “did we really do that”.
"Especially memorable was salvaging our predecessor business the ING Community Living Group from the depths of the GFC (Global Financial Crisis) when at one point our market capitalisation was <$10m, rebirthing as Ingenia Communities Group in 2012 (Ingenia being a mash of our legacy as ING and our unwavering focus on Ingenuity) and shortly afterwards our pivot into the then unknown land lease communities’ sector. Many questioned the wisdom of that move. Fortunately, I had an incredibly supportive Board led by Chair Jim Hazel.
"Along the way we also proved up the business model of senior’s rental accommodation (Ingenia Gardens), assembled one of the largest portfolios of holiday parks on the East Coast of Australia (Ingenia Holidays) and launched an all-age affordable rental business (Ingenia Rental).
"Ingenia has also been a leader in diversity, sustainability and the provision of affordable housing to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.
"Today over 10,000 people live in an Ingenia community and over one million people choose to relax in a Ingenia Holiday park every year.
"I would especially like to thank the many, many amazing people that I have had the opportunity to work alongside over the years – there are so many amazing memories, friendships and relationships which I will continue to treasure in the years ahead. It wasn’t always easy and sometimes it felt a bit overwhelming but I do think we made a difference and had some fun along the way.
"What lies ahead? I have many ideas which I’m mapping out and working through. But in the meantime personal fitness, travel, learning to run a farm and family time are the priorities.
"Please reach out if you would like to discuss emerging opportunities."
The SOURCE Footnote: it is ironic that this week Macquarie announced its $2.9 billion commitment to land lease given the huge number of professional investor doors Simon Owen knocked on for many years and the countless overseas investor trips he made with little positive response. It was his passion and innovation, that forged land lease as the innovative seniors housing model that it is today.