Our Team

David O’Loughlin

Non-Executive Director & Board Chair

David’s extensive experience in private and public sector construction spans more than 30 years in Port Pirie, Whyalla and Adelaide. David also has nearly 20 years’ experience in Local Government. Elected in 2003 as a Councillor then Mayor in 2006, David has served as State LGA President and National ALGA President and is currently chair of the metropolitan region of councils.

David’s breadth of governance experience extends beyond local government and includes the Renewal SA Board, Jaytex Constructions Advisory Board, Blackfriars Priory School Board (Chair), Prospect Kiwanis, the Adelaide Chapter of the Art Deco and Modernism Society SA (President), and the UniSA Architecture Museum Advisory Board.

David was appointed to the Board in July 2022.

Assoc. Prof. Damian Madigan

Non-Executive Director & Deputy Chair

Damian is an architect and academic who collaborates with industry and government to explore new low-rise suburban infill models that respond to changing demographic needs, including ageing-in-place.

As an individual and collaborator, his housing propositions have won design competition awards, shortlistings, and commendations from the City of Los Angeles, NSW State Government, the City of Sydney, Architecture Australia, and the Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation.

A Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects, Damian is an Associate Professor of Architecture at UniSA, a Member of the SA Government’s State Design Review Panel, and an expert Member of the Australian Architecture Program Accreditation Standing Panel.

Damian was appointed to the Board in June 2023.

Greg Adams

Non-Executive Director & Secretary

Greg’s career encompassed a number of senior management roles in the manufacturing industry in South Australia and he brings to the Board a demonstrated ability to guide and connect with a large cross-section of people.

Greg was a member of the previous Management Committee for 3 years and is a member of the inaugural board of The Cottage Homes Inc.

In retirement, his aim has been to support a not-for-profit organisation as a volunteer.

Dr Marie Wood

Non-Executive Director

Marie is an experienced marketing and communications consultant and business owner. Her career roles include School Principal, Coordinator of Marketing and Communications for Catholic Education SA, and director of a family-owned, building-related business. She is currently involved in supporting two start-up companies and mentoring PhD students.

Marie has worked as a non-executive director on boards in education, aged care, social housing, employment, and Indigenous education and boarding. She is currently on the Boards of Clayton Church Homes, Rembrandt Living and is also a member of St Vincent de Paul Society, Refugee & Asylum Seeker Management Committee.

She has significant experience in not-for-profit organisations, in developing and leading programs to support potentially marginalised individuals and communities. Marie was appointed to the inaugural Board of The Cottage Homes in 2020.

Kim Bigg

Non-Executive Director

Kim is currently a Director of Perks Accountants & Wealth Advisers and has considerable experience in the accounting industry supporting Small and Medium-sized Enterprise clients to manage and grow their businesses. He is an Associate Member of the Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand (CAANZ).

Kim became a Board member 2021. He is determined to support people of all ages, particularly those who are older and in need of assistance, to ensure they can live with freedom and independence

Alice Lawson

Non-Executive Director

Masters Public Policy, Bachelor Electrical Engineering

Alice brings more than 30 years’ experience working to improve affordable housing with a commitment to sustainable design, tenant engagement and community development.

For 23 years, Alice worked for the SA Housing Trust holding executive roles in housing asset strategy and maintenance, housing policy, and land use planning. She has worked at the state and national level, and in her most recent role as Director Business Improvement delivered major technology reform projects to improve services for customers facing homelessness, navigating the private rental market and for tenants of public and community housing.

Before working at the SA Housing Trust, Alice worked in the SA community housing sector and for Habitat for Humanity in the USA.
Alice joined the Board in November 2024.

Ben Sarre

Chief Executive Officer

Ben commenced as The Cottage Homes’ inaugural Executive Officer in October 2021. An experienced executive and non-executive director, Ben is excited to lead The Cottage Homes into the next phase of its journey.

His extensive housing experience includes nine years leading the South Australian arm of international not-for-profit housing provider ‘Habitat for Humanity’. Ben served on the Board of aged care provider ‘Resthaven’ for 11 years, and during that time served as Deputy President and Chair, Property Committee.

He strongly believes that access to housing is a fundamental human right, and that it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that senior members of our community are safely accommodated.