UWS Alumni profile: Stephen Francis

As Director of Commercial Development for the Crown Lands Division of the Land and Property Management Authority (LPMA), UWS graduate Stephen Francis has delivered a 97 per cent increase in the division's annual income from tenured Crown lands.

Currently based in Newcastle, Stephen is responsible for contemporary commercial valuation and business, and has overseen a 200 per cent increase in efficiency for telecommunication tenures - an impressive achievement for someone who came into this field later in life.

Beginning his career as a survey technician, Stephen then had the opportunity to coach rugby and work in the United States, and at the same time gained valuable experience in commercial property development. When he returned to Australia, Stephen began studying a Bachelor Business (Land Economy) at the University of Western Sydney, to support his new role in property management and development with Lake Macquarie City Council. 

"I chose to seek greater academic qualifications at what I thought was a later than average age, whilst working and raising a family," says Stephen. "However, I found others similarly looking to better their experience and knowledge through UWS, like me."

While he found completing his degree by distance education to be a challenge, he describes the experience as "a positive one".

"I followed a dream and UWS helped me with the 'hard yards'. There were hard times and long nights, but along with fellow students in the same situation of working and studying through distance education, we worked individually and at times assisted each other to address the tasks set for us by UWS. These 'other students' are friends, colleagues and industry contacts that I still have today after graduating in 1993."

Stints at State Rail and the Newcastle Port Corporation followed, leading Stephen to join what is now known as the LPMA in 2003. He is also actively involved in the property management industry, as a full member of the Australian Project Managers' Institute, a Fellow of the Australian Property Institute and as a corporate representative for LPMA's membership of the Property Council of Australia.

"I appreciate the experience and the chance my studies and qualifications have given my career over the years. I have represented industry and government and presented within NSW, interstate and internationally, and acknowledge my UWS studies as the base of these achievements."