Supporting the next phase of development of Australian Unity’s healthcare property business, Ms Yogavaran will assume responsibility for the oversight, management and external representation of AUHPT.

Ms Yogavaran brings over 17 years of real estate funds management experience to this role, spanning asset management, accounting and finance, corporate governance, and capital transactions. Her most recent role was as Fund Manager at Centuria Healthcare, where Ms Yogavaran managed a portfolio of healthcare property funds.

The appointment of Ms Yogavaran completes a broader healthcare property management restructure that commenced in 2024, designed to support AUHPT’s continued delivery on its strategy and strengthen Australian Unity’s social infrastructure investment capabilities, where it aims to deliver superior investor outcomes by allocating capital for the greatest social impact.

Additional management changes include appointments to three newly created roles:

• James O’Keefe has been appointed Fund Manager Aged Care Property Trust, to oversee AUHPT’s substantial aged care property portfolio. Mr O’Keefe has been a Senior Asset Manager with AUHPT since 2017 and has more than 20 years’ experience in property funds management, including in healthcare and aged care sectors.
• Nicole Plant has been appointed Head of Direct Healthcare Property, with responsibility for managing the business’ portfolio of high-quality assets and related stakeholder engagement. Ms Plant has been with AUHPT since 2014 and served as Assistant Fund Manager since 2018.
• Scott O’Donoghue has been appointed National Portfolio Manager Healthcare Property, with responsibility for leading AUHPT’s asset management team and supporting execution of asset optimisation. Mr O’Donoghue has been with AUHPT since 2021 as Senior Asset Manager.

Chris Smith, General Manager Healthcare Property at Australian Unity, welcomed Ms Yogavaran’s appointment and said the new management structure better positions AUHPT for today and for potential growth into the future.

“Vijitha’s significant expertise in the healthcare property sector and proven leadership as a fund manager will be invaluable as we pursue long-term sustainable returns for investors. We’re delighted to welcome Vijitha to our senior leadership team,” said Mr Smith.

“We have entered 2025 with the most experienced management team in Australian Unity healthcare property’s 25-year history, and we’re operating under a structure that allows for greater focus and long-term scalability. These outcomes will be key to our investors’ future success.”

Dr Joe Fernandes, Group Chief Investment Officer and Executive General Manager Funds Management at Australian Unity said the appointments align with Australian Unity’s ambition to build on its position as a social infrastructure leader.

“These appointments are another step toward realising Australian Unity’s vision to expand its social infrastructure footprint, creating more opportunities for investor capital to deliver positive social impact and superior long-term investment performance.”

Ms Vijitha Yogavaran said she is excited by the opportunity to work with a values-driven business and to continue to innovate in healthcare property and drive returns for the AUHPT’s investors.

“The Australian Unity Healthcare Property Trust has a crucial role to play as our healthcare ecosystem evolves to meet changing care needs and rapid population growth over coming years. I’m eagerly looking forward to working with the team to provide long-term, stable income for investors, with the opportunity for capital growth,” Ms Yogavaran said.

ENDS

For further information:

T: 1300408776
E: media@australianunity.com.au

About Australian Unity
Established in 1840, Australian Unity is a member-owned wellbeing company with more than 385,000 members and more than 700,000 customers. Our range of health, wealth and care products and services provides member, customer and community value that is supportive of personal and community wellbeing.

About Australian Unity Healthcare Property Trust
Australian Unity's $3.54 billion Healthcare Property Trust (AUHPT) was launched in 1999 and has grown to become one of Australia’s largest and most successful unlisted property funds.
AUHPT currently owns a portfolio of 93 quality assets, including hospitals, medical clinics, aged-care properties, day surgeries, medical offices, consulting rooms, rehabilitation units, radiology, and pathology centres.