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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Julian Cook
Chief Executive Officer | MAF, MSc, BSc, BA
Julian 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 2014, Julian was Summerset's Chief Financial Officer from 2010 onwards. He oversaw Summerset’s transition to become a publicly listed company on the New Zealand Stock Exchange and the Australian Securities Exchange.
Julian is a member of the Executive Committee for the New Zealand Retirement Villages Association.

Scott Scoullar
Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer | CA, FCPA, BCA
Scott has overall responsibility for the financial management of the company and corporate services functions.
Before joining Summerset in 2014, 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 member of CAANZ.

Dave Clegg
General Manager Human Resources | MBA
Dave is responsible for leading Summerset’s Human Resources and Health and Safety teams to build and grow Summerset's people capability, wellbeing and engagement.
Before joining Summerset in 2018, Dave was the General Manager of People and Culture at Steel & Tube. Dave has over 25 years’ experience in human resources leadership roles in New Zealand and overseas.
Dave holds an MBA from Southern Cross University in Australia.

Fay French
General Manager Sales | 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.

Paul Morris
General Manager Development Australia | Dip. BS
Paul leads Summerset’s investigation of development opportunities in the Australian market.
Paul has been with Summerset since early 2000. He commenced in the GM Development Australia role in 2018 having previously been GM Development New Zealand since 2003.

Aaron Smail
General Manager Development | BE (Civil), BBS
Aaron leads Summerset’s development team in New Zealand, which covers identifying and purchasing new sites, project feasibilities, consents, design concepts, master planning and design standards 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
General Manager Construction | BSc (Hons), HND, RICS
Dean leads our construction group covering design management, building consents, procurement, cost management, construction management and administration support teams.
Dean joined Summerset in January 2015 following extensive construction and development experience with Fletcher Building and overseas companies. He has led teams in public and private sectors within both developer and main contractor environments and is currently a general director on the Site Safe Board.

Eleanor Young
General Manager Operations and Customer Experience | 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.