Why RetireAustralia still puts its executive team in a room with frontline leaders three times a year

Three times a year, CEO Dr Brett Robinson and members of the Executive Leadership Team travel across Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia to meet face-to-face with frontline leaders and employees through the organisation’s Business Review Forums (BRFs). The forums combine business updates, strategy discussions, resident stories and open Q&A sessions, creating an opportunity for two-way conversations between leadership and the people who interact most closely with residents every day.

For Robinson, the forums are about far more than sharing information.

“You can send an email or host a video call, but nothing replaces sitting in the same room as people, listening to their experiences and having honest conversations about what’s working and where we can improve,” he said.

“Our village, care and sales leaders shape the resident experience every day. If we’re serious about making good decisions for our residents and our business, we need to stay connected to the people delivering that experience on the ground.”

Village Manager Lexi Connor said the value of the forums goes beyond business updates.

“The BRFs give us something that can’t be replicated through emails or video calls – genuine connection. Having direct access to Brett and the Executive Leadership Team allows us to hear first-hand where the business is heading, ask questions and feel part of the journey. More importantly, it creates meaningful conversations that strengthen relationships across the organisation and reminds us we’re all working towards the same purpose.”

Connor said one of the biggest benefits of the forums is the opportunity to learn from other Village Managers, often taking practical ideas back to her village that help support her team and improve resident outcomes.

Held across three states, the forums provide an opportunity to discuss business performance, future priorities and industry challenges, while ensuring employees understand how their work contributes to the organisation’s broader strategy. They also create space for team members to share personal stories, celebrate achievements and hear directly from residents about the impact of retirement living and care services.

Robinson said the forums help bridge the gap between strategy and day-to-day operations.

“It’s easy for strategy to become a document that sits on a shelf. The value of the BRFs is that they connect big-picture thinking with the real experiences of residents, employees and communities. They remind us why we do what we do.”

As the retirement living sector continues to evolve, Robinson believes leadership visibility is more important than ever.

“Our people want more than updates. They want the opportunity to ask questions, challenge ideas and understand where we’re heading. These forums give us the chance to have those conversations in a genuine and meaningful way.”

For RetireAustralia, the investment in face-to-face engagement remains simple.

“The further an organisation grows, the more important it becomes to stay connected. Coming together regularly helps us remain one team, aligned by a shared purpose and focused on delivering the best possible outcomes for residents.”