AVID Property Group has appointed Anthony Demiris as its new Chief Executive Officer, with the change effective immediately.

The appointment follows the retirement of Cameron Holt, who has led the residential development and land lease communities group for close to 15 years.

Demiris steps into the role from his most recent position as General Manager, Queensland and Land Lease Communities, where he led the developer’s Queensland business and its national land lease operation. He has been with AVID for 14 years and brings more than 20 years of experience across the property and finance sectors.

A long handover, not a sudden change

This is not a surprise transition. According to AVID, the leadership change has been planned for some time, with the timing aligned to the integration of AVJennings into the broader business.

“This leadership transition is something we have been working towards for some time, and with the AVJennings business now properly integrated into AVID, the time is right for me to step down and for Anthony to step into the role,” Holt said.

Holt will formally exit in July 2026 but will remain on the AVID Property Group Board, as well as on several subsidiary boards.

Outgoing AVID CEO Cameron Holt will remain on the AVID Property Group Board after stepping down in July 2026.

What Holt leaves behind

Holt has led AVID since the business spun out of Investa Property Group. During his tenure, the group completed three large scale acquisitions: Villa World, Living Gems and AVJennings.

Today, AVID’s portfolio includes a gross revenue pipeline of $7 billion across 69 projects, taking in approximately 16,000 residential land blocks. The group also operates Vantage by AVID, one of the country’s leading land lease community businesses.

Across his time as CEO, Holt oversaw the delivery of $4.9 billion worth of projects.

“Cameron has been an exceptional leader for AVID,” Demiris said. “He has led the business since it spun out of Investa Property Group as well as three large-scale business acquisitions, Villa World, Living Gems and AVJennings, which have positioned the business strongly and underpinned its significant growth in recent years. He has also laid a solid foundation for our next exciting chapter.”

Demiris brings a finance and development background

Demiris joined AVID, then known as Investa Land, in 2012 as Queensland Finance Manager. He moved into senior development roles, where he was responsible for the group’s $3 billion flagship masterplanned community, Harmony.

Before joining AVID, he worked in Macquarie Group’s Global Real Estate Division and in Deloitte Australia’s Mergers and Acquisitions team.

That mix of investment banking, corporate transactions and on-the-ground development is the background AVID is leaning on as it moves into the next phase of growth.

“As an existing leader in our business, Anthony brings deep knowledge of our vision, strategy, operations, and people and I have no doubt he will lead the business onto further success,” Holt said.

The road ahead

Demiris said the focus would remain on delivering housing, community and land lease projects across Australia’s eastern seaboard.

“I am honoured to have the support of Cameron and the AVID Board as I step into this role, and I look forward to leading AVID into its next phase of growth and opportunity,” Demiris said.

“What excites me most is the opportunity ahead. We have a clear vision, and more importantly, a strong, aligned team committed to delivering on our strategic ambitions.”

Why it matters for the Industry

Leadership changes at the top of Australia’s largest residential developers do not happen often. AVID sits at the front end of the housing supply chain, controlling the land that builders eventually build on. The continuity of strategy under Demiris, combined with the scale of the existing pipeline, points to a steady rather than disruptive next chapter for the group.

For builders, suppliers and trades working alongside AVID and its communities, it shows stability and an exciting future ahead for AVID Property Group.

Author: TGB Editorial