Defence Housing Australia (DHA) Managing Director, Ms Jan Mason, has announced her retirement after a long and distinguished career.

Ms Mason commenced with DHA as Managing Director in November 2015, bringing a wealth of corporate and public sector expertise to DHA’s award-winning government business enterprise.

DHA Chairman, the Hon J.A.L (Sandy) Macdonald, praised Ms Mason’s outstanding contribution to DHA and congratulated her on a stellar career of service.

‘It is with a great sense of gratitude and appreciation that we farewell our Managing Director, Jan Mason,’ said Mr Macdonald.

‘During Jan’s three years at DHA, she has implemented changes and strategies to equip the organisation for its next 30 years—creating a solid platform for ongoing success and prosperity.

‘Under Jan’s leadership DHA has matured as a business, striking the balance between excellent customer service delivery and sustainable commercial outcomes to ensure DHA’s future.

‘Through it all she has respected and reinforced our core responsibility to delivering quality housing solutions to Australian Defence Force members and their families - bringing certainty and stability to those who serve our country.’

Mr Macdonald said Ms Mason leaves a lasting legacy of cultural change at DHA – having personally driven a range of policy areas to build and maintain an inclusive organisational culture that values gender equity, diversity, flexible work conditions and positive social change.

‘On behalf of the Board, staff and stakeholders I’d like to thank Jan for her outstanding contribution to DHA, and wish her all the very best for a safe, happy and healthy retirement.’

Before joining DHA, Ms Mason was a Deputy Secretary at the Department of Finance and was responsible for a range of major areas, including taxpayers’ multibillion-dollar investments in government businesses (including DHA); oversight of major government construction projects, technology and procurement; the sale of Medibank Private and reform of the Air Warfare Destroyer Program.

Ms Mason was the ACT winner and a national finalist in the 2014 Telstra Business Women’s Awards (Community and Government category) and is a member of Chief Executive Women, representing Australia’s most senior women leaders from the corporate, public service, academic and not-for-profit sectors.

‘It has been a great honour to serve DHA and its customers over the past three years,’
Ms Mason said.

‘I have particularly appreciated the heart-felt dedication and commitment of my DHA colleagues across the country, who deliver outstanding service to ADF members, their families and our investors with clear passion and purpose.

‘DHA has achieved so much in the past 30 years. As I prepare to close this chapter of my own DHA story, I can confidently assure you that I leave behind a highly skilled and motivated staff and leadership team that will continue to strive for excellence and innovation.

‘While there have been many rewarding moments and many happy memories during my tenure at DHA, there has also been a lot of time spent away from my family and friends. So while it is hard to say goodbye to an organisation and people that I care about, I am greatly looking forward to spending more time at home in beautiful Braidwood, NSW.’

Ms Mason is currently assisting the Chairman and DHA Board with the executive recruitment process, with a successor due be announced in 2019.