A history of care
and compassion

Arthur Koumoukelis
Chair
LLB, LLM, BComm, GAICD

Arthur Koumoukelis has been a partner of Thomson Geer lawyers since 2018 in the aged care and retirement village practice area of that firm. Prior to that, Arthur had spent 29 years at Gadens Lawyers (now Dentons) to lead Gadens’ retirement village and aged care national practice. Arthur holds dual qualifications in Law and Accountancy.

Since 1995, Arthur’s legal industry specialty has been aged care, retirement villages, and not-for-profits. His legal skills have been in the corporate, tax and commercial litigation areas. Arthur currently holds a number of roles, including Vice President Diabetes NSW & ACT (director since 2008), director The Vasey Housing Association, and director Diabetes Qualified.

He also sits on the Finance and Risk Committee of Aged and Community Services Australia (national body) and has been a member of the Property Council Retirement Living Council. He leads a subcommittee in drafting the dispute resolution provisions of the Code of Conduct.

Kate Gunton
Director
BAppSC (Env Des), BArch, MBA, GAICD

Kate Gunton is a management professional with extensive experience in property portfolio management, strategic facility planning and asset management. Combining a degree in architecture with an MBA, Kate has over 25 years of operational leadership, strategy and consulting experience.

She has worked in and advised on both public and private sector organisations across energy, education, health and finance. Kate joined the Board of Vasey in 2016 bringing expertise in architecture and property development. Kate was previously the Chair of Vasey Communities.

Christina Hobbes
Director
GAICD, GradCertCrpFin, BArch, BSc(Arch)

Christina Hobbes is currently an ANZ Partner for the global Real Estate company Cushman & Wakefield in their strategic advisory group, Advisory +. Christina has worked as a real estate property developer in senior roles in listed and global companies across portfolios and projects in all stages, for the State Government on Precincts and Major Urban Renewal Programs. 

Christina's hands-on career spans the full development process through concept, acquisition, development, design and construction delivery across broad industry sectors, including retail, industrial, office, residential and mixed-use; encompassing feasibility, budgets and forecasts and managing marketing, sales, customer service, finance, and legal.

Christina is winner of UDIA's Leadership Award 2013; twice winner of NAWIC’s Contribution to Project Development (2007 and 2011); and completed projects recognised through several industry awards, with longstanding involvement in UDIA NSW Urban Renewal, Precincts, Build-to-Rent and AIA NSW Practice Committees. She has held significant roles in not-for-profit associations including Non- Executive Board Director and Development and Planning (formerly Risk Planning and Development Committee) Member at Vasey since 2016. Christina currently Chairs the Planning and Development Committee and is a member of the Remuneration and Nominations Committee. 

Colonel John Hutcheson AM ADC (RET’D)
Director
BA, MA, M Def Studies, GAICD

John Hutcheson is a successful leader and senior manager in the public and NFP sectors with extensive experience in strategic and operational planning, policy development, corporate governance control and organisational compliance, project management, coaching and mentoring staff, and risk management.

John served in the Australian Army for 32 years in a military career that involved a wide range of appointments including Military Attaché at the Australian High Commission in London, Director of Army Operations in Canberra, visiting fellow at the Australian National University, and project manager for the outsourcing of the Defence recruitment function. John led the military contribution to the Australian Whole of Government response in the Solomon Islands (2004) and Timor Leste (2007).

Post retirement in 2014, John was CEO of Legacy Club Services a charity that provides counselling, pension advocacy, welfare support, financial assistance, and social support to the families of Defence personnel that have died, been physically incapacitated or are dealing with mental health issues as a result of their military service.

Kristen Watts
Director
BEc, MCom, GAICD

Kristen Watts is a Chartered Accountant and Certified Asset Management Assessor with over 20 years demonstrated experience in commercial finance, risk management, asset management and investment governance.  Kristen has comprehensive and applied knowledge of government processes, regulatory frameworks and obligations. 

As an experienced director with over ten years in the ARPA regulated banking sector, together with five years in social and affordable housing development and services sector, Kristen brings significant financial, asset and risk management experience to the Vasey board.

Kristen provided a commercial focus, and a deep understanding of asset and risk management processes to St Vincent de Paul during construction of over 500 new social and affordable housing dwellings across NSW.  At Pacific Link Housing, Kristen is Chair of the Finance, Risk and Audit committee providing oversight and coordination of equity, finance and grant funding as the organisation expands its development efforts. Kristen also chairs the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee at Vasey.

Karl Wood
Director
LLB (Hons), LLM

Karl Wood is a lawyer with over 20 years experience advising on indirect taxes with a specific focus on the property industry.

He has held senior positions in both large professional service firms and an ASX listed property company. Karl has a deep understanding of the real property sector in the areas of large scale residential and mixed use (including retirement living) developments and extensive experience advising on acquisitions, restructurings, financing, governance and risk management in relation to such developments.

He is the immediate past Chair of the Property Council of Australia’s GST committee (where he also sat on the Retirement Living Committee) and is a past member of the Large Business Liaison Group. Karl also chairs the Planning and Development Committee at Vasey.

Graham Hooper
Chief Executive Officer
BE (Civil), MBA

Graham Hooper was recruited to the role of Vasey CEO in December 2017. He brings significant experience in leading aged care organisations as well as expertise in development and construction.

After many years in local government he joined the retirement village sector as Development Manager for Anglican Retirement Villages in 2005. Prior to joining Vasey, he was COO of the Arts Health Institute, a lead not-for-profit aged care organisation, General Managers at Leigh Place Aged Care, and General Manager at Arton Group Aged Care and Retirement.