Executive Leadership

Chris Smith

Chief Executive Officer

Chris Smith is the Chief Executive Officer of Foundation Housing, one of Western Australia’s largest community housing providers.

With more than 20 years’ experience in commercial business and investment management, Chris brings a strong strategic and financial lens to the delivery of social and affordable housing.

As CEO since 2019, Chris has led Foundation Housing through a period of major growth and innovation — launching WA’s first affordable housing portfolio for key and essential workers and securing $280 million through the Housing Australia Future Fund Facility (HAFFF) to deliver nearly 400 new homes across Perth.

Chris is deeply committed to improving the lives of tenants through the delivery of innovative housing models for people on low to moderate incomes, underpinned by Foundation Housing’s Positive Tenancy Framework — which supports long-term, sustainable housing outcomes.

A passionate advocate for housing system reform and new investment pathways, Chris serves as a Director of Australian Community Housing, the national peak body representing the sector. He is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Jeremy Jacobs

Chief Financial Officer, Company Secretary

Jeremy is an experienced finance executive, specialising in the provision of commercial management, and business & corporate strategy. He has worked across a diverse range of industries including not-for-profit, aged care, consulting, banking, and finance. Prior to joining Foundation Housing, Jeremy was Director Corporate Services at VCS Ltd, a Director in KPMG’s Health, Ageing & Human Services division, Head of Finance Strategy at Ansell Strategic, and led the Internal Investments department at Bankwest.

Jeremy has also served as a Board Member within the not-for-profit sector and is currently Chair of an aged care provider in WA.

Jeremy has responsibility for Foundation Housing’s finance, treasury, risk, governance, IT, and company secretarial functions.

Stuart Duplock

General Manager - Commercial / Development

With nearly 30 years of experience across the residential, commercial, retail, industrial, and tourism sectors, Stuart Duplock brings a wealth of expertise to his role as General Manager of Commercial Development at Foundation Housing. His career trajectory reflects a deep commitment to strategic growth and operational excellence in the property industry.

Before transitioning into property development, Stuart honed his skills in corporate advisory, spending a decade in both Australia and the United Kingdom. This background provided him with a solid foundation in financial analysis, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement, all of which have been instrumental in his subsequent success in the property sector.

At Foundation Housing, Stuart oversees the acquisitions, development, and property services divisions, ensuring that each project aligns with the organisation’s mission to provide affordable housing solutions. His leadership is characterised by a collaborative approach, working closely with internal teams, external partners, and community stakeholders to deliver projects that meet both business objectives and community needs.

Stuart’s extensive experience and strategic vision continue to drive the success of Foundation Housing’s commercial development initiatives, positioning the organisation as a leader in the provision of quality, affordable housing.

Renee Lamberth

Senior Manager People and Culture

Renee Lamberth is a seasoned People & Culture professional with over 18 years of experience across corporate, government, legal, and not-for-profit sectors. She currently serves as Senior People & Culture Manager at Foundation Housing, bringing strategic HR leadership to support organisational growth and workforce development. Renee has held senior HR roles at Allens, WA Football and Steinepreis Paganin, delivering expertise in employee engagement, workforce planning, talent development, and organisational change.

Her experience spans employee relations, wellness programs, HR policy development, and governance, consistently fostering positive workplace cultures. Renee began her career in the UK with BDO, advising on graduate recruitment and talent management.

Known for her collaborative leadership style, she is passionate about building high-performing teams and supporting employees to achieve their potential while aligning people strategies with organisational objectives.

Louise Owens

Housing Services Manager

Louise Owens is an experienced Housing Services Manager with over 18 years of expertise in housing and operational leadership across the UK and Australia. At Foundation Housing, she leads the delivery of housing services for diverse communities, driving service improvements, staff development, and community partnerships.

Previously, Louise managed supported housing operations at Onward Homes in the UK, where she oversaw homelessness services, domestic violence refuges, NHS care facilities, and specialist disability housing. She led large teams across three regions, delivering high-quality services and securing multimillion-pound contracts.

Her career also includes roles in aged care housing, homelessness, and welfare support, with a strong focus on trauma-informed practice and person-centred service delivery. Louise holds a BA (Hons) in Human Resources and brings a wealth of expertise in contract negotiation, workforce planning, and strategic leadership.