Peter Irving - Chair

Peter Irving has enjoyed an illustrious industry career spanning nearly 40 years.

He was instrumental in pursuing innovation and technical development, particularly in steel framing and steel roofing systems. As General Manager of Long Homes and the combined AV Jennings/Long Homes (NSW) business, Peter developed and delivered quality and affordable homes for many families.

Peter’s interest in product innovation and systems stems from his background and training in marine and general engineering. For nearly 20 years, Peter specialised in steel work fabrication, factory construction and civil engineering. Peter’s commitment to training and supporting young apprentices has continued beyond his formal industry career and extends today to actively supporting HIA Apprentices.

Ross Batstone - Boral Plasterboard

Ross was Boral's Divisional General Manager Plasterboard Australia from 1996-2000 before becoming Executive General Manager of the Plasterboard division. He was Boral's Divisional General Manager Roofing from 1991- 1995, Chief Executive Montoro Resources Ltd from 1988-1990 and held various roles at Shell Company of Australia from 1970-1987.

Ross holds Chemical Engineering and Commerce degrees from QueenslandUniversity.

Peter Burke - Executive General Manager, Residential

Mr Burke has over 35 years experience in the real estate and housing industries, with emphasis on management, marketing and sales. He joined Australand in April 1996 as State Manager, Victoria and in 1997 was appointed General Manager, Victoria - Land & Housing Division. In March 2004, Peter was appointed Executive General Manager, Land and Housing Division and in February 2005, the Land and Housing and Apartments Divisions were merged and Mr Burke was appointed Executive General Manager Residential heading up the new Division. Prior to joining Australand, from 1991, Mr Burke held the position of General Manager of Executive Homes and for the 10 years prior was the Victorian Housing Managing for AV Jennings. He is a licensed real estate agent and is a member of the Real Estate Institute of Victoria.

David Keir - Delfin Lend Lease 

Delfin is Australia’s leading creator of masterplanned communities and has been active in providing special places that exceed expectations for over 100,000 families for over 35 years.

David Keir was appointed Chief Executive Officer in May 2007 having worked in Delfin for 14 years. He was previously Chief Operating Officer for nearly 4 years in addition to having held roles as General Manager Delfin Residential, Operations Manager and Project Director Forest Lake.

David is responsible for the Delfin portfolio which consists of 25 large scale masterplanned communities across Australia.

David has worked in the development and property sector for over 20 years and holds qualifications in Applied Science, Town Planning and Project Management.

John Hodgkinson - CSR

John Hodgkinson is the Executive General Manager - Asia Pacific for CSR Insulation and Panel Systems. John has previously held the positions of Executive General Manager CSR Gyprock Fibre Cement and Regional General Manager - Asia Pacific for Hagemeyer Consumer Products.

With more than 20 years in the building materials and supply side of the industry, John has enjoyed a long and rewarding career oversighting new product development and systems. John's international experience includes roles as General Manager, Bradford Enercon, Canada and Commercial Manager of CSR Tokyo.

Lindsay Partridge - Brickworks Limited

Lindsay Partridge is Managing Director of Brickworks Limited, a building products, investments and property company. Brickworks is Australia's largest brick manufacturer and a provider of various other building products nationally and to export markets.

After graduating as a ceramic engineer from the University of New South Wales, Lindsay worked extensively in all facets of the clay products industry in Australia and the United States before joining the Austral Brick Company in 1985.

He held various senior management positions at Austral before being appointed Chief Executive Officer of Brickworks Limited and Managing Director in 2000. Since then, Brickworks has grown significantly in terms of size and profitability as its operations have become Australia-wide, with its product range extending beyond bricks to tiles, pavers and timber products and activities expanding into property development and waste management.

Lindsay has had extensive involvement with bricklayer training since the late 1980s and is currently a director of the Australian Brick and Blocklaying Training Foundation and the Clay Brick and Paver Institute.

Ron Silberberg - Housing Industry Association

Ron Silberberg is the Managing Director of the Housing Industry Association which represents over 40,000 members nationally.

Ron has a long career in the housing sector and was instrumental in driving policy reform in the areas of home ownership, taxation and workplace relations. He designed the successful First Home Owners' Scheme, led the campaign on restoring negative gearing and secured the reversal of the 12.5 percent sales tax on building materials. Ron's leadership in housing policy led to the Federal Government  establishing the Productivity Commission Inquiry into Housing Affordability. Most recently he initiated the National Summit on Housing Affordability.

Ron has considerable experience in representation before Federal Ministers, parliamentarians and senior officials and holds a PhD in Economics.

Chris Lamont - Housing Industry Association

Chris Lamont is the Senior Executive Director Industry Policy of the Housing Industry Association (HIA), Australia’s leading building and construction industry association.

He has considerable government experience having worked both within the bureaucracy and as a senior ministerial adviser to the Australian Government.  As Chief of Staff to the Federal Minister for Small Business and Tourism, he provided strategic policy and political advice on a range of issues relevant to the Small Business and Tourism portfolio.  In previous roles he has provided advice to Government as well as operational support in the areas of Defence Infrastructure and Commercial Support.

Chris is also a director of the Australian Brick and Blocklaying Training Foundation.