The Agency makes key Executive Appointments
ASX ANNOUNCEMENT 20 December 2019
THE AGENCY MAKES KEY EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS The Agency Group Australia (ASX:AU1) (“The Agency” or “the Company”) continues to enhance its executive capabilities, appointing Andrew Jensen as Chief Operating Officer and Arjan van Ameyde as Chief Financial Officer.
At the same time, the board announces the resignation of non-executive director Mr John Kolenda.
Appointment of Chief Operating Officer
Mr Jensen, current interim Chairman of The Agency, will take up his new role on 1 February 2020, at which time he will step down from The Agency board.
He has over 20 years’ experience in senior finance and management roles and has held the position of Chief Financial Officer for International and leading Australian Companies, including The Agency.
Previously, Mr Jensen was the CFO and Director of Australasia’s largest real estate group Ray White, with over $20 billion in annual sales and one of Australia’s largest independent mortgage broking businesses Loan Market. He has also been the CFO of VGC Food Group Pty Ltd, a private diversified manufacturing and franchising group.
Most recently Mr Jensen was CFO and COO of Digicel PNG (Papua New Guinea) part of Digicel Group Limited (Digicel), one of the South Pacific’s largest and most successful telecommunications companies. He is also a fellow of the (National Institute of Accountants) and member of the Institute of Company Directors.
Appointment of Chief Financial Officer
Arjan van Ameyde, who has over 25 years’ experience in senior finance roles in listed companies and SME, has been appointed Chief Financial Officer of The Agency, effective 1 February 2020.
He has previously founded short-term lending and insurance businesses and established the treasury for a listed multi- national group. Most recently he was Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer (Australia and UK) of ASX listed Ensurance Limited (ASX: ENA).
Mr van Ameyde is a Chartered Accountant (South Africa) and fellow of CPA Australia.
Resignation of Non-Executive Director
Non-Executive Director John Kolenda has tendered his resignation from the Board of the Company, effective immediately.
John joined the Board of The Agency Group in December 2016, after Australia’s fastest growing retail financial brokerage Finsure Group, which John founded and is Managing Director, became a cornerstone investor in the Company (taking an initial 8% interest in the Company). 1
During his time on the Board, John has played a key role in assisting the executives in driving the accelerated growth and expansion of The Agency nationally, including the acquisition of high-growth east coast real estate firm Top Level Real Estate Pty Ltd. 2
He has indicated his reason for resigning from the Board is entirely due to an increased workload in other areas.
“The Agency has grown significantly over a short period and is clearly on track to become one of the largest real estate businesses in Australia. It has attracted some of the best agents and now we also have the key executives in place to continue the growth in driving sustained operational and financial growth across the business going forward,” said Mr Kolenda.
“As a committed shareholder I will continue to follow and support this growth,” he added.
The Agency Group Managing Director Paul Niardone said, “John remains a firm believer in The Agency’s disruptive real estate model and the Board thanks him for the high-level of experience and insight he has brought to the Company during a period of unprecedented growth.
“Over the period the Company has grown from one office with ~30 agents to the highest growing real estate firm in the country with 271 agents in 10 locations nationally.”
The Board does not intend to appoint another Non-Executive Director.
If you require further information, please contact:
Investors Media The Agency Australia Ltd Chapter One Advisors Paul Niardone David Tasker / Colin Jacoby T: +61 08 9204 7955 T: +61 433 112 936 / +61 439 980 359 E: dtasker@chapteroneadvisors.com.au
1 Refer ASX announcement dated 23 December 2016 2 Refer ASX announcement dated 17 January 2019