Executive team

Ross Du Vernet

Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director

Executive Director

BBus, MBA, GAICD

Ross Du Vernet is Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Dexus and an Executive Director of Dexus Funds Management Limited.

Ross has more than 20 years of experience investing in real assets with a background in corporate transactions, strategy, and funds management in Australia and abroad.

Ross holds an MBA from MGSM and a Bachelor of Business (Finance, Banking) from the University of Technology Sydney. He has also completed the Advanced Management Program at the Wharton School of Business.

Keir Barnes

Chief Financial Officer

BCom, MBA (Exec), CAANZ, GAICD

Keir Barnes is Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Dexus and responsible for the finance function, including financial operations and performance, planning and analysis, transactions and reporting, treasury, taxation, valuations, business services and investor relations.

Keir has an extensive background in the property and funds management industry, with 20 years of experience gained in roles across finance, funds management, real estate corporate advisory and chartered accounting.

She is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of New South Wales and a Master of Business Administration (Executive) from the Australian Graduate School of Management. She is also a member of Chief Executive Women.

Melanie Bourke

Chief Operating Officer

BCom, MBA (Exec), CAANZ, GAICD

Melanie Bourke is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Dexus where she is responsible for supporting business activity and enhancing decision efficiency across the group. Melanie leads the Risk, Real Estate Services & Procurement, Legal, Compliance & Governance, Corporate Affairs & External Communications, Marketing, Technology and Sustainability functions, as well as leading the Strategic Delivery Office.

Melanie has more than 20 years of experience in the property industry, working across Finance, Investor Relations, Office of the CEO, Asset and Property Management in Dexus’s Office division and most recently led the people and culture function.

Melanie is an Executive Director of Dexus Asset Management Limited. She holds a Master of Business Administration (Executive) from the Australian Graduate School of Management, a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Newcastle and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia. She is also a member of Chief Executive Women.

Andy Collins

Executive General Manager, Office

BCom, MBA

Andy Collins is Executive General Manager, Office with responsibility for the Dexus group’s $22.4 billion office portfolio. 

He has more than 25 years of experience in institutional real estate including 10 years at Dexus, where in prior roles leading the asset management teams and, the capital transactions team. Prior to joining Dexus, Andy held senior roles with Macquarie Capital Advisors, Grant Samuel Property and Knight Frank.

Andy holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Property Economics) from University of Western Sydney, a Master of Business Administration from Melbourne Business School and is a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.

Jonathan Hedger

Chief Investment Officer

BCom (Hons, 1st Class)

Jonathan Hedger is Chief Investment Officer (CIO) at Dexus with responsibility for strategy, corporate transactions, research and investment management of the Dexus balance sheet portfolio.

He has more than 15 years of experience in the real estate and investment banking industries across strategy, mergers and acquisition, investment management, equity and debt financing, as well as research. Prior to Dexus, he held roles with Deutsche Bank AG and Jones Lang LaSalle.

Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Commerce (1st Class, Hons) from the University of Auckland.

Chris Mackenzie

Executive General Manager, Industrial

BConstEc, BConst, GCertP&E

Chris Mackenzie is Executive General Manager, Industrial with responsibility for the Dexus group’s $11.0 billion Industrial portfolio.

He has more than 25 years of experience including 10 years at Dexus with extensive experience in transactions, development, leasing, portfolio management and investment strategy in organisations including Lendlease, Australand and BGC Group.

Chris holds a Bachelor of Construction Economics / Quantity Surveying from RMIT University, a Bachelor of Constructions from University of Melbourne and a Graduate Certificate in Planning and Environment.

Nik Kemp

Executive General Manager, Growth Markets

BEng, BCom

Nik Kemp is Executive General Manager, Growth Markets, with responsibility for supporting in sectors in which Dexus is actively building capability and scale. These include Dexus’s $10.9 billion Infrastructure business, Alternative Investments and Healthcare. He oversees the strategy, investment decisions and performance of a diverse portfolio of investments across the real asset spectrum. 

Nik has more than 25 years of experience in investing including roles for leading financing and investment banking organisations. Prior to joining Dexus, Nik held roles at AustralianSuper, Capella Capital, Babcock & Brown, ABN AMRO, Henderson Global Investors and Boston Consulting Group.
 
Nik holds a Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Commerce from University of Melbourne. 

Marjan van der Burg

Chief People Officer

BA, MSc, MA

Marjan van der Burg is Chief People Officer at Dexus, with responsibility for ensuring high quality people experiences, and an equitable and inclusive workplace.

Marjan has more than 15 years of experience in human resources and operations. Prior to joining Dexus, Marjan held a number of roles at Macquarie Group in Europe, the Americas and Australia.

Marjan holds a Bachelor of Arts from University College Utrecht, a Master of Science (Economics & Business) from the Erasmus University, and a Master of Arts (Human Resource Development) from London Metropolitan University.

Jason Howes

Executive General Manager Fund Capital & Product Development

BEcon, MBA

Jason Howes is Executive General Manager Fund Capital & Product Development responsible for the development and distribution of new funds products across the Dexus platform.

He has more than 25 years of experience in origination, capital raising and investment management in debt and equity investments across a range of assets classes.  Prior to joining Dexus, Jason held roles at Macquarie Capital, Fortress Investment Group and Lone Star Funds. 

Jason has a Bachelor of Economics from Macquarie University, a Master of Business Administration from University of Cambridge and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in Australia.

Michael Sheffield

Executive General Manager Funds Management

BBus, MMgt, CAANZ, GAICD

Michael Sheffield is Executive General Manager Funds Management, responsible for the performance and operations of Dexus’s existing $39.7 billion real estate and infrastructure platform. 

He has more than 30 years of experience across funds management, real estate, infrastructure and investment banking, with more than 10 years at Dexus including as Head of Diversified and Infrastructure Fund and Fund Manager of Dexus Wholesale Property Fund. Prior to Dexus, he held roles with Commonwealth Bank and Lend Lease. 

Michael has a Bachelor of Business and a Masters in Management. He is also a Certified Practicing Accountant and a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).