2026 CEO Jan Newsletter

W E L C O M E T O O U R

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

Over the break, I deliberately stepped away from the day to day, spent time with my family, and marked a milestone birthday that reminded me how important it is to pause, reflect and reset

I also know not everyone had that luxury, and to those who continued working to support our communities over the holiday period, I sincerely thank you

Coming back into the new year, I feel energised by what lies ahead We are opening new communities, welcoming new partners, and creating opportunities that will challenge us to keep raising the bar across the living sector

2026 is a significant year for us as we mark 30 years since our first property opened in Sydney That legacy has been shaped by the people who came before us, the lessons learned along the way, and a culture that continues to evolve As we look to the future, our focus is on how we grow responsibly, sustainably and with purpose.

Growth is exciting, but it also asks more of us: more care, more awareness, more responsibility As our footprint expands, so too does our obligation to look after one another and the people who live in our communities For teams working through openings and intakes, thank you Your professionalism and care set the tone for everything we do

As we look ahead, our focus is also on carrying forward the values that have sustained us, while continuing to evolve our systems, leadership and ways of working Innovation, accountability and care will guide our decisions as we respond to changing expectations across the living sector

My commitment, alongside the executive team, is to lead with clarity, listen closely, and ensure our people are supported to succeed as we move confidently into the next chapter together

Supporting mental health and wellbeing remains a priority, including the launch of the Sonder platform, giving our teams confidential access to support whenever it’s needed

We are also delivering our Gender Based Violence program across UniLodge, aligning with new legislation and reinforcing our commitment to safe, respectful environments

There is much to look forward to this year Enjoy the stories shared in the January edition of The Thread

Tomas Johnsson Chief Executive Officer

West Tower at Melbourne Quarter: Setting A New Benchmark for City Living

Leasing is now underway at West Tower, Melbourne’s largest single Build-to-Rent community, featuring standout amenities including a bowling alley, cinema, co-working area with podcast studio and sky-high resident lounge in the heart of the CBD

Our Essence Communities team has reached a major milestone, working alongside Lendlease and Daiwa House Australia to bring this landmark Living by Lendlease community to market ahead of welcoming residents in early 2026

Employee Spotlight

As we head toward our 30th anniversary year, this felt like the right time to create more space for listening, connection, and learning from one another through real experiences and perspectives.

We’re introducing a new internal audio series, sharing the voices and experiences of our people across UniLodge Living Group. First up we have Tim Williams and Nicolette Hulme

Click here to listen to the podcast

Community in Action

Community shines brightest when we show up for others This holiday season, that spirit came to life across our BTR properties

At Wentworth Quarter, residents joined our team to support The Children’s Hospital at Westmead annual Toy Donation Drive, bringing comfort and joy to families during a challenging time.

Meanwhile, Indi Southbank hosted a community Christmas gathering for residents spending the season away from family, turning a shared meal into a powerful moment of belonging

Thank you to our residents and teams for making this possible, not just at Christmas, but every day

Nominate A Colleague

Seen a teammate go above and beyond? Nominate them for an Onthe-Spot Aware Award or a Quarterly Award via the Learning & Development page Head to “Nominate for an Award”, share the love, and help us celebrate the everyday wins that make our teams shine.

Nomination Link

Leadership Journeys: Stories that Inspire

As he approaches an incredible 20 years with UniLodge, Bradley Brown, General Manager, shares his career journey, what motivates him, and the lessons learned along the way

His story speaks to the power of experience, values, and long-term commitment

Read Bradley’s full story on Viva Engage here

Learn - Share - Elevate

Sign up to the APSAA mailing list to stay across student accommodation industry events and insights, and help strengthen our collective knowledge by sharing your key takeaways with the wider UniLodge team

Thanks to Laura Van Keulen for sharing her experience at the APSAA Student Accommodation Essentials 2025 event at the University of Wollongong, where learnings can help lift best practice across our communities

THE THREAD

Reflections From 2025 - By Lizzie W

As we closed the book on 2025, I’m feeling incredibly proud and deeply grateful This last year has reminded me once again that everything we achieve at Essence Communities comes down to one thing: our people!

A Big Year of Growth

The past 4 years have been truly transformative: 10 assets now operational 4,000+ dwellings in the pipeline for 2026 New brands / clients / systems / teams

We’ve grown fast and learned even faster, and we’ve done it with adaptability, intuition and a whole lot of teamwork

Sector Connections & Shared Learning

A highlight for me this year was joining the panel on operational excellence and resident experience at the 2nd Annual Living Sectors Summit The value was in the conversations, the shared insights, the honest challenges, and the reminder of how important it is to stay connected and curious as our sector evolves

The resounding message across the sector was that doing the small things well, and getting the 1% right, has a far greater impact on residents than big, grand gestures While technology continues to improve, it will never replace human connection, something our teams do exceptionally well

A O

rapid growth of affordable housing in our portfolio, with 2,000+ dwellings now on the way Delivering this work has meant major behind the scenes effort: A redesigned CRM

A new leasing journey

Early development of an affordable housing aggregator site

Brand new Business unit: Essence Homes, led by Ann-Marie Hardwick

It’s complex, meaningful work and our teams are delivering it with care and commitment.

Our People, Our Difference

Last year we welcomed over 1,400 residents across Essence Communities, and the feedback is consistent: our team sets us apart The warmth, professionalism and pride you bring to your work is felt in every interaction and every community we support

Looking Ahead to 2026

As the living sector continues to scale and innovate, our focus remains clear: exceptional resident outcomes delivered by exceptional people Thank you to each and every one of you for your energy, your resilience, your passion, and for making Essence Communities such a special place to lead and be part of The best is absolutely still ahead

THE THREAD

Behind The Student Story

You’ll often see the moments that define student life: friendships forming, confidence growing, everyday routines that become memories What’s less visible is the work our teams do behind the scenes to make those moments possible.

See this video capturing student experiences within our UniLodge Canterbury Portfolio including Ilam Student Apartments, University Hall, Dovedale Halls: Sonoda and Tupuānuku, located on campus at the University of Canterbury, NZ.

Grounded in the principles of Manaakitanga and Whanaungatanga, the short clip reflects the outcomes of what so many of you deliver every day: warm welcomes, genuine wellbeing support, and safe, inclusive environments where students can settle in, connect and thrive

This is just one snapshot in time, but it represents something much bigger: the collective effort of our teams who work thoughtfully and with care to support students through one of the most important chapters of their lives Thank you for the role you play often unseen, always felt

Watch the video here.

Haseeb

On Reconciliation in Everyday Life at UniLodge UC HELPING RESIDENTS UNDERSTAND RECONCILIATION:

CONNECTING RAP TO DAILY OPERATIONS:

Many of our residents, particularly international students, may be encountering the idea of reconciliation for the first time. What have you found helps make these conversations feel accessible, welcoming and meaningful?

“At UniLodge UC, we support a highly diverse community, with 45% local and 55% international students living across four locations, and more than 70% of residents aged between 19 and 22

We acknowledge that for many residents, particularly international students, reconciliation is a new concept, so what works best is starting with connection rather than policy In our conversation either it is in an induction session or at an event held under the Residential Life program, we approach it in a simple, plain, and inclusive way, assuming that the audience is hearing it for the first time This allows students to engage without fear of “getting it wrong”

We have found that when reconciliation is presented as a shared learning rather than a lesson, it becomes more meaningful and approachable”

In your role on campus, how do you see reconciliation showing up in everyday moments or decisions, rather than just in formal events or plans?

“We are fortunate that the UC Ngunnawal Centre is located within one of our residences Our team works closely with the Centre on event planning and engagement, actively informing residents about the Ngunnawal Centre and the support services available We also support the Centre in connecting with Indigenous students living within our residencies Several of our residences are named using Indigenous language: Gurubun –Koala; Guginya – Kookaburra; Mulleum – Eagle; Wagan - Crow; Buru – Earth These names help to add cultural recognition into our physical spaces and everyday language, supporting respect for the Country and local heritage

We have the Acknowledgement of Country wooden plaque signage displayed at each reception desk across our residences It’s also a consistent practice across our induction sessions, meetings, and events, rather than being treated as a one-off action In this way, we think the UniLodge Reconciliation Action Plan becomes a living framework at UniLodge UC, that guides how we work, communicate, and support residents daily”

Haseeb On Reconciliation in Everyday Life at UniLodge UC

PLANNED ACTIVITIES AND PRIORITIES:

Are there any activities, partnerships or focus areas you’re particularly looking forward to this year at your property or on campus?

“This year, we shall continue to work with and strengthen our engagement with the UC Ngunnawal Centre and include reconciliation more deeply into residential life and campus partnerships

Some focus areas include:

Collaborating with the Ngunnawal Centre to explore opportunities for a Welcome to Country including considering for a resident/community member from an Indigenous background to deliver an opening monologue during our student induction sessions

Finalising the onboarding of an Indigenous student into our Residential Life team as a student leader, providing them with leadership on within deliver activities as fe calendar, designed, ctful ss the UC udents are able support ks ensure that ugh events akeholder

The Risks We Actually See - 2025 WHS Report

The 2025 WHS Report shows that many of the risks we see most often are part of everyday work, not rare or extreme events

Across the business, around half of first aid injuries are caused by people hitting their head on items above them, often in storage or back-of-house areas. Manual handling also remains a consistent risk, particularly when people rush, work alone or cut corners

Another ongoing focus is chemical storage. Chemicals must always be stored in line with Safety Data Sheets, with a simple rule of thumb being storage behind two locked barriers Roof access also continues to present risk, particularly in taller buildings, where additional security measures help prevent unsafe access

Since the last annual report there are positive signs of improvement The rate of injuries preventing people from doing their normal duties has reduced, although short-term injuries remain an area to watch. One of the most overlooked risks continues to be distraction, whether from rushing, looking down at phones or wearing headphones.

The report shows that nothing here is new, but awareness is what prevents incidents. Safety improves when we pause, stay alert to everyday risks and look out for one another Read the 2025 WHS Report here.