Our board is a mix of seasoned property investment professionals

The PIPA Board of Directors all volunteer their time to help improve the professionalism of the property investment sector which strengthens consumer protection within the industry.

Lachlan Vidler

Bachelor of Business, Master of Commerce (Finance), Graduate Certificate in Property Investment

Lachlan Vidler is a former Naval Officer and is the founder and Director of Atlas Property Group. Atlas Property Group is an investment focused residential buyers agency that helps clients from around Australia to invest on a national scale.

As a former military officer and management consultant, Lachlan identified an opportunity to create a buyers agency that focused on a long-term strategic approach for clients. Lachlan is the co-author of A Military Guide to Property Investing and was a finalist for Buyers Agent of the Year and Rising Star in the 2022 REB Awards.

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Mike Mortlock, Treasurer

Registered Tax Agent, Diploma of Business Management (Real Estate), Bachelor Construction Management, and Masters in Property

Director

Mike is a leading figure in tax depreciation, actively contributing to reforms for the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors by presenting their new industry whitepaper. With extensive experience as an expert depreciation consultant for major firms like McDonald’s, Canberra Airport, Hilton Hotels, and Stockland, Mike has crafted thousands of depreciation schedules for both commercial and residential properties.

He is sought after as a public speaker and frequently appears in the media as a property investment analyst, offering unique insights into investor behaviour and tax depreciation. Mike’s deep expertise and enthusiasm for maximising depreciation entitlements consistently deliver outstanding results for MCG’s clients.

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Catherine (Cate) Bakos , Chair of the Board

QPIA®, Licensed Real Estate Agent, Bachelor of Science (Chemistry Hons)

Chair of the board

As the newly appointed Chair of the Property Investment Professionals of Australia (PIPA), Cate is dedicated to fostering community, leadership, and recognition within the property investment sector. She understands the vital role industry bodies play in advocating for and developing standards that shape the future of property investing. This commitment is clearly demonstrated through her involvement in PIPA’s Awards of Excellence Program and its educational initiatives.

Cate’s extensive experience includes her tenure as President of the Real Estate Buyers Agents’ Association (REBAA) from 2019 to 2023, where she previously served as Vice President for two years. Her leadership in these national bodies underscores her dedication to enhancing professional standards and supporting industry growth.

In addition to her leadership roles, Cate co-hosts the popular podcast series “The Property Trio” with fellow industry experts David Johnston and Mike Mortlock. This platform allows her to share insights and discuss trends in property investment, further contributing to the community’s knowledge base.

Cate is also an accomplished author, having recently published her second book, “The Buy Right Approach to Property Investing,” co-authored with Pete Wargent. This follows her successful 2016 publication, “Successful Property Investment,” both of which are invaluable resources for aspiring and seasoned property investors alike.

On a personal note, Cate and her husband have built a substantial property portfolio, leveraging their extensive experience in renovation and value-adding to maximize their investments. Her dual focus on professional excellence and personal investment success positions her as a leading figure in the property investment community, inspiring others to achieve their financial goals through informed decision-making and strategic planning.

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Veronica Morgan

QPIA®, Licensed Real Estate Agent, Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication), Masters of Commerce (Marketing)

Director

Veronica is co-founder of Home Buyer Academy, co-host of Your First Home Buyer Guide podcast and The Elephant in the Room property podcast, co-host of Foxtel’s Location Location Location Australia & Relocation Relocation Australia, Buyers Agent Mentor.

Veronica is also principal of Good Deeds Property Buyers in Sydney, co-founder of Surburb Help, and author of “Auction Ready: how to buy property at auction even though you’re scared sh!#less.”

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Richard Crabb, Vice-Chair

QPIA®, Licensed Real Estate Agent, Diploma of Financial Planning, SMSF certification, and an active property investor

Director

Richard is the Founder and Managing Director of the ASPIRE Property Advisor Network.  After an extensive career in corporate finance and through his personal investing experience, Richard identified the need to create a system and framework that supports ethical, independent property investment advisors who operate in the new property market. 

The ASPIRE Property Advisor Network now supports independent property advisers across Australia by providing their business engine and acquisition process, designed around concepts of future compliance in the brand new property sector.

Richard together with the ASPIRE team have also developed a complete end-to-end software platform, which is leading the way to deliver property investment advice in the new property space.

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Richie Muir, Company Secretary

Bachelor of laws (University of Glasgow), Australian Lawyer admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland and the High Court of Australia

Director

Richie is the legal director at lawlab, a leading national property law firm that has reimagined the conveyancing experience making property transactions simpler and more secure for customers and more transparent for property professionals.

Richie has extensive experience in the residential and commercial property law sectors and provides legal and compliance advice to property professionals, developers, real estate funds, proptechs, fintechs and home buyers and investors across multiple jurisdictions.

As a leader of a team that has managed over 45,000 property transactions throughout Australia in the last few years, Richie brings a depth of legal and service delivery experience to the PIPA board.

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Matthew Hughes

QPIA®, Licensed Real Estate and Business Agent, Diploma of Finance and Mortgage Broking Management

Director

Buying his first property at only 19, Managing Director Matthew Hughes has a long-standing passion for wealth creation through property investment.

Like many buyer’s agents, Matthew began his career as a selling agent only to realise quite quickly that his passion lay in working in the best interests of the buyer, rather than for the seller. Matthew has been working exclusively with buyers for over 10 years, guiding them towards achieving their objectives through sound and unbiased strategies.

Capital Property Advisory represents the culmination of this experience and Matthew’s passion for working as an independent adviser, providing the highest level of personal service. Matthew initially meets with all new clients, then coordinates with his experienced team to ensure every client need is met.

Matthew is also founder and Managing Director of Capital Lending Advisory – National Finance & Mortgage Broking Team, Matte Black Real Estate – Perth-based Luxury Home Buyer’s Advocacy & Property Management Team, and CEO of Hunter Capital – Residential Property Development Firm.

Outside of property, Matthew is a dedicated husband and father with a passion for tackling difficult challenges – each year he sets himself a new goal, in previous years having completed marathons, ultra marathons, Iron Man triathlons and even competing in a boxing match – often aligned with and raising much-needed funds for various charities along the way.

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We strive to bring accountability, ethics, and education to the property investment industry.

PIPA exists to improve the professional standards of anyone providing property investment advice to consumers. Our voluntary Code of Conduct means that members adhere to a high set of professional standards to help protect consumers. Qualified Property Investment Advisers (QPIAs®) have the highest form of industry-recognised, specialist training and can be trusted to provide tailored and unbiased advice to consumers.

PIPA also regularly produces research, analysis, and publications to help educate our members, media, and consumers about the property investment sector.

By signing up for our newsletter, you will gain access to two of our most valued resources – the Annual Investor Sentiment Survey report and the quarterly PIPA Adviser e-magazine.

2024 Investor Sentiment Survey

The Annual PIPA Investor Sentiment Survey is a rare snapshot of the buying intentions of property investors.

PIPA Adviser Magazine

The PIPA Adviser provides the latest research on market conditions, including forecasts for next year.