Our leadership team

The Summerset leadership team works closely with the Board of Directors to implement the strategic direction of our company. They’re also responsible for day-to-day business operations.

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Scott ScoullarFay FrenchAaron SmailDean TallentireEleanor Young - Kay Brodie - Chris Lokum - Stewart Scott - Robyn Gillespie

Scott Scoullar

Chief Executive Officer | CA, FCPA, BCA

Scott has overall responsibility for Summerset and is focused on developing and operating vibrant villages, and ensuring that respect for our customers is always at the core of everything we do.

Prior to becoming Chief Executive Officer in 2021, Scott was Summerset's Chief Financial Officer after joining Summerset in 2014.

Before joining Summerset, Scott held CFO roles at Housing New Zealand and Inland Revenue.

Scott was named CFO of the Year at the New Zealand CFO Summit Awards in 2019 and was NZICA’s Public Sector CFO of the Year in 2011. Scott is also a Fellow of CPA Australia, and a CPA New Zealand Council Board Member.

Fay French

Chief Sales Officer | RNZcmpN

Fay leads our national sales team and can be found at Summerset's Wellington office or at one of our many New Zealand villages.

Fay has a breadth of experience across sales, hospitality and the health sector. Prior to joining Summerset in 2015, she held a sales leadership role at a leading New Zealand e-commerce platform where she was responsible for leading a team of business development managers.

Trained as a registered nurse, Fay has worked in various nursing roles and medical sales for Roche Pharmaceuticals.

Aaron Smail

Chief Development Officer NZ | BE (Civil), BBS

Aaron leads Summerset’s development team in New Zealand, covering site acquisitions, project feasibilities, consents, and design for villages.

Previous roles in his 25 plus years of property and development experience include senior positions at Todd Property Group and Kiwi Property.

Aaron has been with Summerset since 2015.

Dean Tallentire

Chief Construction Officer NZ | BSc (Hons), HND, RICS

Dean leads our procurement, cost management, construction management and administration support teams in the construction team.

Dean has extensive construction and development experience and has led teams in the public and private sectors within developer and main contractor environments.

Dean has been with Summerset since 2015.

Eleanor Young

Chief Operating Officer NZ | BSc (Hons)

Eleanor oversees the operational performance across all Summerset villages. Her focus on service experience and delivery ensures Summerset’s residents receive the highest quality facilities and care. 

Before joining Summerset in 2016, Eleanor held senior roles at Inland Revenue. This included four years as the Group Manager of Customer Services, managing over 2,000 staff across New Zealand to deliver services to customers. 

Eleanor has a background in human resources within both the public and private sector, having worked in managerial roles for the Ministry of Social Development, Mighty River Power and Air New Zealand.

Kay Brodie

Chief Marketing Officer | BCA, BSc

Kay joined Summerset in 2018 and is responsible for leading the marketing and communications team based in the Wellington office.

Her marketing and advertising experience has been gained over 25 plus years across a range of industries including retail, loyalty programmes, government and insurance; both within advertising agencies and client organisations.

Chris Lokum

Chief People Officer | GAID, BMS, DipSocSci

Chris leads Summerset’s People & Culture team responsible for recruitment, training, Health & Safety, organisational development and more.

Joining Summerset in 2023 after roles in the public and private sector in New Zealand, Australia and the UK, including senior positions at BP and Waka Kotahi, Chris brings a breadth of experience across Human Resources with over 25 years delivering organisational efficiency, increasing organisational capability and providing strategic leadership.

Chris has qualifications in human resources, economics, management and psychology. She has completed executive programmes at Michigan and Cornell Universities and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Stewart Scott

Chief Operating Officer Australia | Masters Property (UNSW) BLArch (UNSW)

Stewart leads Summerset’s activities in Australia including land acquisition, design, development and construction as well as the retirement and aged care operations. With nearly 30 years’ experience, Stewart has previously held senior executive positions across property development, sales and operations within the retirement and aged care sector.

Robyn Gillespie

Chief Digital Officer | BA

Rob leads Summerset’s Group technology team with responsibility for technology and digital systems across Australia and New Zealand.

Rob has over 30 years in senior tech roles delivering great outcomes for those businesses and their stakeholders.

Prior to joining us Rob was Chief Information and Operating Officer for nine years at WSP Australia and New Zealand and has worked across sectors including Downer, Spark, Dimension Data and Unisys where she started her career as a software developer.

Rob holds a Bachelor of Arts from University of Canterbury and has completed the Institute of Directors programme.