Scentre Group CEO, Peter Allen, has been elected chairman of the Shopping Centre Council of Australia (SCCA).

Allen takes over the role following the resignation of Steven Sewell, the former CEO of Federation Centres, who had been the chairman since May 2011.

Susan MacDonald, head of retail, Mirvac; and John Schroder, group executive and CEO commercial, Stockland; have been elected as deputy chairs, replacing Michael Gorman, the former deputy CEO and CIO of Novion Property Group, who resigned as deputy chairman.

Allen paid tribute to Sewell’s leadership over the last four years.

“In that time Steven Sewell oversaw a further expansion of the Shopping Centre Council and he has consolidated the Council as the principal advocate for the major owners, managers and developers of shopping centres in Australia,” he said.

“There were significant achievements under Steven’s leadership which have been to the benefit of the millions of Australians who are saving for and living out their retirement and who are the ultimate owners of our shopping centres.”

Sewell also thanked Michael Gorman, former deputy chairman of the SCCA, for his long involvement with the organisation.

“The board of directors of the Shopping Centre Council of Australia has also expressed its appreciation of the leadership of Steven and Michael.”

“I am looking forward, together with our deputy chairs, fellow directors, members and staff, to directing the Council in its public policy advocacy on behalf of the shopping centre industry in Australia,” he said.

Allen’s immediate priority is to achieve recognition of the unique position of retail leases under the proposed new federal legislation on unfair terms in standard form contracts to small businesses.

“We are working to ensure that the proposed new law does not mean an additional layer of regulation imposed on the retail tenancy relationship,” he said.