eKourier July 2015

WHO’S WHO

9 Questions... With Melinda Snowden - Kennards Board Member

Of course the move to the new HQ was a big physical change from Homebush! FREEDOM being the acronym describing the values of KSS, which of these values have been a stand out within the KSS Team for you? I have been constantly impressed by the value to achieve an exceptional customer experience. This business succeeds as it puts what is best for the customers at the heart of what it strives for. Tell us a bit about yourself and your family? I have two boys and a girl aged 15, 12 and 9 respectively. We are a pretty boring bunch generally during school term but the kids spend time with their friends on weekends. We live in Kirribilli which is great as it has lots of parks, is near the harbour and has access to ferries for public transport. A minor downside is the tourists and the constant fireworks! The last few years we have holidayed in January at and around Agnes Water in Queensland which is north of Bundaberg and South of Gladstone which is great for Sea Turtle watching. How do you like to spend your spare time? Like most people these days, between working and bringing up three kids there seems to be very little “spare” time. However, I keep fit by running five days a week and I relax by working on my garden when I can. I love that you can transform a backyard whether big or small by creating an ever changing outdoor room full of plants. I have a secret desire to create a charity that renovates gardens for people who are unable for whatever reason to do it themselves. Of course, I love spending time with my family and occasionally travelling when I get the chance. And finally, to sum up Kennards in one word would be? Fun. I really enjoy working with the Team. I am privileged to be able to work with such a great group of people and am always very proud to say I am on the board of Kennards.

How long have you been part of the Kennards Team and what is your role within the company? I joined Kennards in 2010 to be an independent Director on the Kennards Self Storage Board. I work with the other Directors, Sam, HK and Dave to govern the organisation. What inspired you to join the Kennards Self Storage Board of Directors? Sam and I met in 2008 when we studied the Company Directors Course. I had recently taken on my first Directorship of a public company. Sam got in touch again in 2010 and we talked about the storage business. I was excited to have the chance to join an iconic Australian family business and be part of the Team. We meet about 10 or more times a year to review how the business is performing in financial and operational terms. We act as a sounding board for decisions that Sam and Management make about the business. Several times a year we discuss the firm’s strategy and what does the business what to achieve. Once a year we generally chose a number of sites to visit as a group to meet the Team and see the sites in person. We also What does a director on the KSS Board do?

regularly consider decisions about new property that might be acquired and developed as new storage centres.

Tell us about your career background?

When I left university I practised as a Corporate Lawyer for several years and then changed into Investment Banking for over 15 years. I left my executive career in 2010 and became a full time Company Director. For many years I was on the board of MLC, the wealth division of NAB. Currently I am also on the Board of a Mental Heath Charity called SANE and the governing Board of Newington College in Stanmore. Over your years on the KSS Board what positive changes/growth have you seen take place within the company? The business has grown from strength to strength in every aspect. For example, there are more centres, better systems and website and the Team Members have developed their skills.

3 Kennards Kourier July 2015