David Roberts
Executive Chairman – Lawyer, FDIA, LREA
Group Finance | Legal | Strategic Planning | Development
David graduated as lawyer in 1978 and following his admission as a lawyer to the Supreme Court of Queensland in 1978, commenced his own law practice. In 1988 the practice was merged with Hopgood Ganim to create one of Brisbane’s most experienced and diverse law firms. As Senior Partner in the property law section, David enhanced his extensive expertise in planning, property and business law. In 1992 he retired from his legal practice to concentrate solely on private property investments.
As a founding Director of Heritage Pacific in 1987, David has overseen the financial management and strategic planning of all the company’s residential and commercial developments.
David founded and became Executive Chairman of Meridien Retirement Living, now called Retire Australia which is the 4th largest Retirement Group in Australia. Meridien Retirement Living acquired and consolidated 26 Retirement Villages in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. The portfolio consisted of new and old villages plus a development pipeline of retirement villas. The amalgamated assets were sold to JP Morgan in 2011 and has subsequently been resold to New Zealand interests for $640m.
David acquired and became Executive Chairman of Unilodge Australia which is the second largest operator in the student living sector in Australia. The business managed approximately 14,000 student beds in Australia and New Zealand. The business was sold in 2013 to Swiss interests for $65m.
David also founded and became Executive Chairman of Australian Childcare Solutions which identified acquired and developed 190 child care centres which were leased to ABC Learning. The assets were sold into a property trust in Melbourne over 10 years for $600m.
