![Independent Strata group photo](https://the-riotact.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Independent-Strata-2-810x537.jpg)
Independent Strata team Kim Quade, Helena Pisano, Julian Ortner-Kemp, Tarnee Lamb and Jess Pirie. Photo: Independent Property Group.
A great leadership team is crucial to maintaining happy staff and satisfied customers and ensuring financial success and for Independent Property Group’s Strata and Facilities Management division, 2022 is a year of change bringing new faces and a fresh approach to how the business operates.
Former Allhomes commercial team leader and Domain state sales manager Julian Ortner-Kemp is the new General Manager of Strata and Facilities Management, bringing a wealth of experience in leadership, business strategy and sales to the team.
Independent CEO Kylie Dennis says as one of Canberra’s largest strata businesses, plans have been in the pipeline leading into 2022 to make significant changes to the leadership team.
“We felt we needed to make changes that position us towards growth and we needed to recruit people like Julian that very much have a growth mindset,” she said.
“Julian has not just an understanding of the real estate industry, but has good sales credentials to commercialise businesses and achieve growth for our clients.”
Julian says he’s thrilled to be joining a “well-established team” and “strong brand” in Canberra.
“The plans that we have in place to grow the strata business are well in-line with what I believe we can deliver over the short and longer-term,” he said.
![Julian Ortner-Kemp](https://the-riotact.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/2021-12-16-Independent-Headshots-3-810x540.jpg)
Independent Property Group strata & facilities management general manager Julian Ortner-Kemp. Photo: Thomas Lucraft.
Julian brings digital marketing skills to the team, as well as previous experience working as a tradie, which he says provides a unique understanding of strata management.
“He’s very digital savvy,” Kylie said. “It’s one thing to have great people and a large business, but you need the latest technology and a digital focus to be able to deliver on that client experience.
“Julian will continue to review the technology we’re using to service our clients.”
Also joining the strata leadership team is Jess Pirie who has been appointed Senior Manager of Client Experience, and Tarnee Lamb who takes on the role of Business Development Manager for Strata and Facilities Management.
![Jess Pirie](https://the-riotact.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/2021-12-16-Independent-Headshots-4-810x540.jpg)
Independent Property Group strata management team leader Jess Pirie. Photo: Thomas Lucraft.
Kim Quade is the new Business Operations Manager, returning to the team after a few years away from Independent, while Helena Pisano has been promoted to Insurance Manager.
“Jess and Tarnee have a combined 12 years’ experience with Independent and are well known and respected by our clients,” Kylie said.
“Kim is returning to Independent with a background in finance and strata, and is the perfect addition to the team in terms of her knowledge around financial management, building management, legislation – and she also has good ideas about growth opportunities for our strata business.
“This year is all about scaling up, and we have strategies in place that will make us even more competitive than we are now.”
Former head of strata Ken Nichols is moving into a new role with the company.
Kylie says that there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to apartment complexes, which is why Independent strata managers with the right expertise are appointed to each development.
“Each of our experienced strata managers is part of a team, so there is always someone ready to respond to you who knows the ins and outs of your strata,” she added.
Independent’s Strata and Facilities Management division provides all the services essential for a successful development-unit plan registration, a Buyer Management Program, a dedicated Strata Manager and a support team of specialists.