1 00:00:03,840 --> 00:00:07,400 Speaker 1: Hi, and welcome to Shared Lunch Today. I'm at the 2 00:00:07,440 --> 00:00:11,440 Speaker 1: William Sanders Village here in Devonport Auckland with Ryman Healthcare. 3 00:00:12,240 --> 00:00:15,120 Speaker 1: Raymond is one of New Zealand's most well known retirement 4 00:00:15,240 --> 00:00:18,360 Speaker 1: and age care providers, and shortly will be joined by 5 00:00:18,400 --> 00:00:22,480 Speaker 1: its CEO, Naomi James. In this episode, we'll be talking 6 00:00:22,520 --> 00:00:25,320 Speaker 1: through the Ryman business model and what's unique about it, 7 00:00:25,800 --> 00:00:28,319 Speaker 1: what's been most challenging about the last few years, and 8 00:00:28,400 --> 00:00:31,560 Speaker 1: the significant reset that the company's undertaking, and what this 9 00:00:31,720 --> 00:00:36,600 Speaker 1: next chapter means for Raymond's staff, It's residents, and its shareholders. 10 00:00:36,920 --> 00:00:39,519 Speaker 2: Investing involves the risk you might lose the money you 11 00:00:39,520 --> 00:00:42,839 Speaker 2: start with. We recommend talking to a licensed financial advisor. 12 00:00:43,560 --> 00:00:47,360 Speaker 2: We also recommend reading product disclosure documents before deciding to invest. 13 00:00:47,640 --> 00:00:50,040 Speaker 2: Everything you're about to see and here is current at 14 00:00:50,040 --> 00:00:50,919 Speaker 2: the time of recording. 15 00:00:51,240 --> 00:00:55,000 Speaker 3: Hi, Susannah, Welcome to William Sanders Village. It is great 16 00:00:55,040 --> 00:00:57,320 Speaker 3: to have you here today. Let's go have a look. 17 00:00:57,800 --> 00:01:00,640 Speaker 3: We're in the heart of the village. This is where 18 00:01:00,840 --> 00:01:03,800 Speaker 3: all of our residents can come to socialize, to do 19 00:01:03,960 --> 00:01:08,360 Speaker 3: activities from our happy hour to our bowling groom. 20 00:01:08,920 --> 00:01:11,280 Speaker 1: Not to meet you the piano today I notice it too. 21 00:01:12,560 --> 00:01:16,640 Speaker 3: So we're right in the center of the village now, Susannah, 22 00:01:16,720 --> 00:01:19,319 Speaker 3: and you get us since of the scale this village 23 00:01:19,360 --> 00:01:23,479 Speaker 3: has been open for us seven years. The gardens are 24 00:01:23,520 --> 00:01:26,080 Speaker 3: really established. They're a key part of what our residents 25 00:01:26,280 --> 00:01:30,000 Speaker 3: just love. And all these places to go and enjoy 26 00:01:30,040 --> 00:01:33,240 Speaker 3: the surroundings, meet with friends from the village or from 27 00:01:33,560 --> 00:01:37,160 Speaker 3: the community. They make for a really special place to live. 28 00:01:38,240 --> 00:01:41,240 Speaker 3: Oh wow, what of you. It really shows you the 29 00:01:41,280 --> 00:01:45,160 Speaker 3: premium locations that some of our villages are in. We 30 00:01:45,200 --> 00:01:49,920 Speaker 3: build these really high quality assets. We build to own, 31 00:01:50,560 --> 00:01:52,880 Speaker 3: and so we want this to be a great home 32 00:01:53,640 --> 00:01:56,880 Speaker 3: for fifty plus years for the people who will live here. 33 00:01:59,120 --> 00:02:02,200 Speaker 1: Thanks Naomi for having us and hosting us in such 34 00:02:02,240 --> 00:02:04,160 Speaker 1: a beautiful livery here at the village. 35 00:02:04,320 --> 00:02:05,960 Speaker 3: Great to have you here today, Susanna. 36 00:02:06,200 --> 00:02:08,840 Speaker 1: So it's been a challenging few years for Ryman and 37 00:02:09,000 --> 00:02:12,560 Speaker 1: for Ryman shareholders, and this is such an interesting and 38 00:02:13,200 --> 00:02:16,360 Speaker 1: frankly pivotal time for the business as you've been tasked 39 00:02:16,400 --> 00:02:20,919 Speaker 1: with leading this reset and changing the trajectory for the company. 40 00:02:21,200 --> 00:02:23,240 Speaker 1: I'd love to talk a bit more about that in 41 00:02:23,320 --> 00:02:27,120 Speaker 1: this episode. Before we do so, though, I'd love to 42 00:02:27,240 --> 00:02:30,880 Speaker 1: zoom out a bit for our listeners and for our viewers, 43 00:02:31,200 --> 00:02:34,600 Speaker 1: How would you describe what exactly Ryman does. 44 00:02:34,960 --> 00:02:38,480 Speaker 3: I think one of the biggest misconceptions in this industry 45 00:02:39,080 --> 00:02:42,000 Speaker 3: is that it's just a property business. It is so 46 00:02:42,120 --> 00:02:45,040 Speaker 3: much more than that. Yes, we have a really significant 47 00:02:45,080 --> 00:02:49,360 Speaker 3: property portfolio, over twelve billion dollars of property assets in 48 00:02:49,440 --> 00:02:53,720 Speaker 3: our portfolio, but we're also a very large healthcare business 49 00:02:54,680 --> 00:02:59,680 Speaker 3: and we have relationships with our customers that last a lifetime. 50 00:03:00,480 --> 00:03:03,520 Speaker 3: And so it's that combination of that that really brings 51 00:03:03,600 --> 00:03:09,440 Speaker 3: this unique value proposition for our customers, our residents, as 52 00:03:09,440 --> 00:03:13,720 Speaker 3: well as we think for shareholders, especially with how the 53 00:03:13,840 --> 00:03:17,760 Speaker 3: growth and outlook is going to come in terms of 54 00:03:17,800 --> 00:03:18,840 Speaker 3: the aging population. 55 00:03:19,639 --> 00:03:23,680 Speaker 1: Both Australia and New Zealand are aging populations and aging quickly. 56 00:03:24,000 --> 00:03:27,560 Speaker 1: What are some of these structural components over say the 57 00:03:27,639 --> 00:03:31,160 Speaker 1: next decade that need to take place in order to 58 00:03:31,280 --> 00:03:35,160 Speaker 1: translate to a healthy sector and a great business. 59 00:03:35,760 --> 00:03:39,280 Speaker 3: One of the things that is less talked about is 60 00:03:39,600 --> 00:03:43,600 Speaker 3: how we how we need to change how we are 61 00:03:43,600 --> 00:03:49,040 Speaker 3: delivering to a much larger population. We need to evolve 62 00:03:49,800 --> 00:03:54,960 Speaker 3: our business and evolve our sector and do that in 63 00:03:55,000 --> 00:03:58,320 Speaker 3: a way that is going to align with the government 64 00:03:59,040 --> 00:04:04,360 Speaker 3: funding settings, policy settings. We need to have more care 65 00:04:04,720 --> 00:04:08,560 Speaker 3: in the home, We need to have higher acuity care 66 00:04:08,760 --> 00:04:12,520 Speaker 3: in residential care settings. The baby boomers are more and 67 00:04:12,600 --> 00:04:17,960 Speaker 3: more going to become an increasing part of our customer base, 68 00:04:18,240 --> 00:04:21,560 Speaker 3: but they're very different consumers. They want a lot more choice. 69 00:04:22,040 --> 00:04:24,839 Speaker 3: They're not old, you know, and so they're looking for 70 00:04:24,920 --> 00:04:28,520 Speaker 3: different things. And so all of that means we need 71 00:04:28,560 --> 00:04:33,799 Speaker 3: to think about how we evolve and continue to serve 72 00:04:34,560 --> 00:04:38,200 Speaker 3: both our residents and form part of a really healthy 73 00:04:38,320 --> 00:04:41,440 Speaker 3: system that is able to meet the needs of this 74 00:04:41,640 --> 00:04:44,400 Speaker 3: much bigger population that's going to be coming through. 75 00:04:44,600 --> 00:04:47,800 Speaker 1: And you talk about, you know, Ryman, it's much more 76 00:04:47,839 --> 00:04:51,039 Speaker 1: than just a property business. Albeit that property portfolio is 77 00:04:51,240 --> 00:04:55,279 Speaker 1: large and property prices and interest rates that are clearly 78 00:04:55,279 --> 00:04:59,200 Speaker 1: a key dependency, are a big part of that. How 79 00:04:59,279 --> 00:05:02,720 Speaker 1: do you manage those risks that really are outside of 80 00:05:02,760 --> 00:05:06,280 Speaker 1: your control and it's all that you've got still a 81 00:05:06,360 --> 00:05:08,880 Speaker 1: really strong underlying operating business. 82 00:05:09,200 --> 00:05:12,280 Speaker 3: What we've done with our strategy refresh we've just announced 83 00:05:12,960 --> 00:05:16,120 Speaker 3: is really looked at those things that have been key 84 00:05:16,160 --> 00:05:19,719 Speaker 3: to our success in the past. We are renowned for 85 00:05:19,760 --> 00:05:23,240 Speaker 3: the quality of care that we provide to our residents, 86 00:05:23,960 --> 00:05:27,320 Speaker 3: and that drives a huge degree of community trust. We've 87 00:05:27,320 --> 00:05:30,000 Speaker 3: got a brand that is a household name in New 88 00:05:30,080 --> 00:05:33,760 Speaker 3: Zealand and we've built that recognition in Victoria now with 89 00:05:33,800 --> 00:05:36,680 Speaker 3: the investments that we've made. At the same time, all 90 00:05:36,680 --> 00:05:41,200 Speaker 3: of those things haven't translated into financial success and never been. 91 00:05:41,240 --> 00:05:45,040 Speaker 3: The things we've got to address. Part of the problem 92 00:05:45,560 --> 00:05:49,560 Speaker 3: of the past was that performance was not transparent. You 93 00:05:49,600 --> 00:05:53,800 Speaker 3: couldn't necessarily see financially how the business was performing. We 94 00:05:53,880 --> 00:05:56,839 Speaker 3: then need to go and improve it. And so having 95 00:05:56,920 --> 00:06:00,560 Speaker 3: stabilized the business over the last year with the reset, 96 00:06:00,640 --> 00:06:04,320 Speaker 3: balance sheet and a reset and a lot of our 97 00:06:04,400 --> 00:06:08,680 Speaker 3: pricing and terms other and our cost base, we now 98 00:06:08,920 --> 00:06:13,240 Speaker 3: are able to really make a shift on improving performance 99 00:06:14,520 --> 00:06:20,840 Speaker 3: and looking at how we grow these recurring earnings out 100 00:06:20,880 --> 00:06:25,839 Speaker 3: of this business that should be fairly consistent and growing 101 00:06:25,880 --> 00:06:30,599 Speaker 3: over time, and manage the more cyclical side of the business, 102 00:06:30,600 --> 00:06:34,560 Speaker 3: which can be the property housing market. And a big 103 00:06:34,600 --> 00:06:38,160 Speaker 3: part of that was a changed approach to development to 104 00:06:38,240 --> 00:06:40,520 Speaker 3: say we want to grow, but we want to grow 105 00:06:40,560 --> 00:06:43,240 Speaker 3: in the right way and be really clear when we're 106 00:06:43,279 --> 00:06:47,640 Speaker 3: deploying shareholder capital in the future, we can give confidence 107 00:06:48,480 --> 00:06:51,560 Speaker 3: to shareholders on the return they'll get on that capital. 108 00:06:51,720 --> 00:06:54,119 Speaker 1: We have been in a bit of a period further 109 00:06:54,160 --> 00:06:56,320 Speaker 1: back in the last few years where we had declining 110 00:06:56,360 --> 00:06:58,840 Speaker 1: interstrates for a long period of time and then ult 111 00:06:58,880 --> 00:07:02,159 Speaker 1: to low interest rates, and clearly that's a massive tailwind 112 00:07:02,240 --> 00:07:06,359 Speaker 1: for property prices and then indeed for a company like 113 00:07:06,440 --> 00:07:09,200 Speaker 1: Rayman with a large property book. So in your view, 114 00:07:09,240 --> 00:07:14,920 Speaker 1: did that actually perhaps mask some of the deteriorating operating 115 00:07:14,920 --> 00:07:18,720 Speaker 1: parts of the business. Hence why you're real focus on 116 00:07:18,760 --> 00:07:21,920 Speaker 1: that transparency so that it's really easy to understand what 117 00:07:22,080 --> 00:07:25,040 Speaker 1: are those underlying dynamics and being able to diagnose those 118 00:07:25,480 --> 00:07:26,240 Speaker 1: much earlier on. 119 00:07:26,480 --> 00:07:31,120 Speaker 3: If you think about what happened in New Zealand post GFC, 120 00:07:31,800 --> 00:07:37,120 Speaker 3: we've had very much above average trend growth in property 121 00:07:37,160 --> 00:07:41,200 Speaker 3: prices driven by the population growth that occurred. We've then 122 00:07:41,280 --> 00:07:43,760 Speaker 3: had COVID, we've had a bit of a reset in 123 00:07:43,800 --> 00:07:49,520 Speaker 3: the property market starting to recover, but still quite a 124 00:07:49,560 --> 00:07:52,600 Speaker 3: recovery to come, particularly here in Auckland where we are today, 125 00:07:53,880 --> 00:07:56,120 Speaker 3: and so we've got to have a business that isn't 126 00:07:56,760 --> 00:08:00,840 Speaker 3: just works in strong property up strong cycle. It's got 127 00:08:00,840 --> 00:08:05,200 Speaker 3: to work through the cycle. And that's really the shift 128 00:08:05,360 --> 00:08:10,240 Speaker 3: that we're making. We don't want to rely on just 129 00:08:10,480 --> 00:08:14,000 Speaker 3: big capital gains in the way that occurred in the past, 130 00:08:14,560 --> 00:08:15,920 Speaker 3: because we're not in control of that. 131 00:08:15,960 --> 00:08:19,720 Speaker 1: You know, with those interest rate cycles and with different 132 00:08:19,720 --> 00:08:23,320 Speaker 1: property cycles that you might be going through. I'm just 133 00:08:23,360 --> 00:08:25,840 Speaker 1: curious to know how quickly do you see those show 134 00:08:25,920 --> 00:08:29,640 Speaker 1: up in your numbers, that sluggish property market, when you're 135 00:08:29,640 --> 00:08:33,040 Speaker 1: seeing those green shoots, how do those sort of reveal 136 00:08:33,080 --> 00:08:34,440 Speaker 1: themselves in the numbers as well. 137 00:08:34,640 --> 00:08:38,560 Speaker 3: Yes, so most of our residents will need to sell 138 00:08:38,800 --> 00:08:41,960 Speaker 3: their family home to move into the village. People want 139 00:08:42,000 --> 00:08:44,600 Speaker 3: to sell in the right property market, So we definitely 140 00:08:44,679 --> 00:08:48,600 Speaker 3: see the impact when we're in those down cycles in 141 00:08:48,679 --> 00:08:54,160 Speaker 3: terms of turnover rate at which people can sell, and 142 00:08:54,200 --> 00:08:56,920 Speaker 3: when the market comes back, it goes the other way. 143 00:08:57,880 --> 00:09:01,600 Speaker 3: So we have higher level of stock today than we'd 144 00:09:01,679 --> 00:09:05,199 Speaker 3: like to have. There's no doubt that it's easier to 145 00:09:05,679 --> 00:09:09,760 Speaker 3: sell down stock in a stronger property market, but the 146 00:09:09,800 --> 00:09:12,840 Speaker 3: business model can't be dependent on that. And if you 147 00:09:12,920 --> 00:09:17,480 Speaker 3: think about the scale we have and the unique offering 148 00:09:17,559 --> 00:09:20,320 Speaker 3: we have, you do want a bit of scarcity. There's 149 00:09:20,360 --> 00:09:24,400 Speaker 3: something special about coming into a Raman village, and we 150 00:09:24,520 --> 00:09:28,679 Speaker 3: also make it really seamless for people in moving in, 151 00:09:28,760 --> 00:09:31,200 Speaker 3: and there's a lot of things we're working on to 152 00:09:31,320 --> 00:09:36,920 Speaker 3: make that experience even better. And our offering is uniquely 153 00:09:36,960 --> 00:09:40,600 Speaker 3: suited to where we see the strongest demand coming through 154 00:09:41,040 --> 00:09:45,400 Speaker 3: in the future, which is in assisted living as well 155 00:09:45,440 --> 00:09:49,280 Speaker 3: as through to care. And so as people start to 156 00:09:49,400 --> 00:09:53,160 Speaker 3: think about potentially needing a bit more support or help 157 00:09:53,440 --> 00:09:57,360 Speaker 3: in the home, or just wanting the security of knowing 158 00:09:58,600 --> 00:10:01,840 Speaker 3: when I need care, when I need more help and support, 159 00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:05,480 Speaker 3: it's going to be there for me. That's often what 160 00:10:05,600 --> 00:10:08,600 Speaker 3: drives decision making, and our job is just to make 161 00:10:08,640 --> 00:10:13,760 Speaker 3: it really attractive and a good value proposition, no doubt. 162 00:10:13,840 --> 00:10:17,400 Speaker 3: When the property market tailwinds come back, it makes our 163 00:10:17,480 --> 00:10:20,679 Speaker 3: job a lot a lot easier, but we're not waiting 164 00:10:20,720 --> 00:10:22,360 Speaker 3: for that. We focus on the things that are in 165 00:10:22,400 --> 00:10:27,640 Speaker 3: our control and really driving performance throughout the cycle, and. 166 00:10:27,679 --> 00:10:31,360 Speaker 1: Also thinking about these residents and the retirement sector. And 167 00:10:32,000 --> 00:10:34,800 Speaker 1: you know, it is such an important part of the 168 00:10:34,920 --> 00:10:39,160 Speaker 1: social fabric for New Zealand and for Australia. We all 169 00:10:39,200 --> 00:10:41,920 Speaker 1: have loved ones, we all have older relatives who we 170 00:10:42,280 --> 00:10:45,120 Speaker 1: really want to see looked after, and it's clearly such 171 00:10:45,120 --> 00:10:49,200 Speaker 1: an important part of living with dignity in the latter years. 172 00:10:50,240 --> 00:10:52,840 Speaker 1: There's so many trade offs that you must have to 173 00:10:52,880 --> 00:10:59,560 Speaker 1: balance around resident outcomes, around staff workloads, around affordability, shield 174 00:10:59,600 --> 00:11:03,080 Speaker 1: a return. How on earth do you think about balancing 175 00:11:03,120 --> 00:11:04,679 Speaker 1: all of those outcomes. 176 00:11:04,880 --> 00:11:08,080 Speaker 3: We always start with our resident in mind first. People 177 00:11:08,200 --> 00:11:12,480 Speaker 3: choose to work for Ryman because of all those reasons 178 00:11:12,640 --> 00:11:17,120 Speaker 3: that you talk about. We employ staff who love older people, 179 00:11:17,280 --> 00:11:21,200 Speaker 3: who want to serve and support and care for older people, 180 00:11:21,840 --> 00:11:25,320 Speaker 3: who want to provide them with that choice and experience, 181 00:11:26,520 --> 00:11:29,680 Speaker 3: so that your latter days they can kind of be 182 00:11:30,040 --> 00:11:35,440 Speaker 3: these full days where you experience more connection and joy 183 00:11:35,600 --> 00:11:39,199 Speaker 3: often than when you're living in the community it's a 184 00:11:39,280 --> 00:11:46,480 Speaker 3: bit more isolated, so we don't compromise on the quality 185 00:11:46,480 --> 00:11:48,920 Speaker 3: of the care. At the same time, we have had 186 00:11:48,920 --> 00:11:53,320 Speaker 3: to do some resets in the business. We've needed to 187 00:11:54,960 --> 00:11:57,679 Speaker 3: bring a lot more just discipline through the business in 188 00:11:57,760 --> 00:12:02,120 Speaker 3: terms of how we manage our costs, our non village costs. 189 00:12:03,320 --> 00:12:08,000 Speaker 3: We've taken a different approach to our development, not having 190 00:12:08,440 --> 00:12:11,439 Speaker 3: a big development team where we have to keep building 191 00:12:11,600 --> 00:12:16,160 Speaker 3: to keep those people employed to cover those costs. We've 192 00:12:16,160 --> 00:12:20,320 Speaker 3: also needed to review our care capacity here in New 193 00:12:20,400 --> 00:12:23,440 Speaker 3: Zealand where the funding settings aren't right at the moment, 194 00:12:24,280 --> 00:12:28,640 Speaker 3: and that's seen us close to of our care centers 195 00:12:28,679 --> 00:12:32,480 Speaker 3: as a result. But again when we make those decisions, 196 00:12:32,480 --> 00:12:36,319 Speaker 3: when we do that, we are constantly thinking about what's 197 00:12:36,360 --> 00:12:39,760 Speaker 3: the impact for our residents. How do we keep them 198 00:12:39,800 --> 00:12:43,080 Speaker 3: at the center of what we're doing, because that's key 199 00:12:43,080 --> 00:12:44,440 Speaker 3: to our success long term. 200 00:12:44,600 --> 00:12:47,040 Speaker 1: Rayman is often described as having a very distinct model 201 00:12:47,080 --> 00:12:50,840 Speaker 1: around that full continuum of care. Could you talk us 202 00:12:50,880 --> 00:12:55,199 Speaker 1: through the resident journey from start to finish and then 203 00:12:55,240 --> 00:12:57,920 Speaker 1: how goal it gets created. So someone that might be 204 00:12:58,600 --> 00:13:02,480 Speaker 1: looking to buy a unit unit they move in, you know, 205 00:13:02,559 --> 00:13:04,959 Speaker 1: maybe when they go into sort of greater care after 206 00:13:05,040 --> 00:13:07,560 Speaker 1: a decade or a decade and a half, can you 207 00:13:07,559 --> 00:13:09,199 Speaker 1: talk us through that guini. 208 00:13:09,040 --> 00:13:12,480 Speaker 3: If I summarize it in one word, it's one move. 209 00:13:13,679 --> 00:13:15,800 Speaker 3: This is often the biggest move people will make in 210 00:13:15,840 --> 00:13:19,160 Speaker 3: their life to leave their family home. And you're moving once. 211 00:13:20,480 --> 00:13:23,480 Speaker 3: So when you come into a Rhyman village, whether you're 212 00:13:23,480 --> 00:13:27,440 Speaker 3: coming in to independent living, or you're coming into a 213 00:13:27,480 --> 00:13:32,160 Speaker 3: service department with assisted living, or you're coming into residential care, 214 00:13:33,520 --> 00:13:36,880 Speaker 3: what you can have is the confidence that there is 215 00:13:37,600 --> 00:13:42,160 Speaker 3: the capacity and the offering at the village to meet 216 00:13:42,320 --> 00:13:45,640 Speaker 3: your care needs and your support needs as they change 217 00:13:45,840 --> 00:13:50,160 Speaker 3: over your lifetime. We don't just have the flexibility in 218 00:13:50,200 --> 00:13:56,000 Speaker 3: our model to provide care across the village. We've got 219 00:13:56,000 --> 00:13:59,120 Speaker 3: it to provide it at a resident level based on 220 00:13:59,160 --> 00:14:02,400 Speaker 3: what you individual need. And the portfolio has got that. 221 00:14:02,640 --> 00:14:06,720 Speaker 3: And this is unique about Raymond. Fifty percent independent living capacity, 222 00:14:07,400 --> 00:14:11,720 Speaker 3: twenty percent assisted living service department capacity, which can you 223 00:14:11,760 --> 00:14:15,720 Speaker 3: can provide residential care into or you can live independent 224 00:14:15,760 --> 00:14:21,240 Speaker 3: more independently, and then thirty percent age care capacity. So 225 00:14:21,400 --> 00:14:31,320 Speaker 3: a really sizable flexible offering in premium locations that's unique 226 00:14:31,640 --> 00:14:35,400 Speaker 3: and almost irreplaceable in terms of being able to be 227 00:14:35,520 --> 00:14:41,000 Speaker 3: copied in the market. How does that work financially in 228 00:14:41,120 --> 00:14:44,600 Speaker 3: simple terms at the independent living if you think about 229 00:14:44,640 --> 00:14:48,640 Speaker 3: what we're providing, it's a home. We're looking after the 230 00:14:48,680 --> 00:14:51,760 Speaker 3: gardens for you, we're looking after the building maintenance. 231 00:14:51,760 --> 00:14:52,520 Speaker 1: It's peace of mind. 232 00:14:52,560 --> 00:14:54,240 Speaker 3: It's peace of mind. You don't need to worry it. 233 00:14:54,280 --> 00:14:58,800 Speaker 3: You just enjoy living your life with the activities available 234 00:14:58,800 --> 00:15:01,320 Speaker 3: on site, but also to free to lock up and 235 00:15:01,440 --> 00:15:03,840 Speaker 3: go and do whatever you're wanting to do and know 236 00:15:03,920 --> 00:15:09,960 Speaker 3: your home is secure. And the financial returns in that 237 00:15:10,040 --> 00:15:14,400 Speaker 3: side of the business are more in the growth, with 238 00:15:15,160 --> 00:15:20,560 Speaker 3: the capital gain on property over time falling through to 239 00:15:20,640 --> 00:15:25,000 Speaker 3: the shareholder. So our job is to manage the costs 240 00:15:25,000 --> 00:15:29,120 Speaker 3: of the business to recover those through the weekly charges 241 00:15:29,200 --> 00:15:31,640 Speaker 3: and that and we've had to do some resetting to 242 00:15:31,720 --> 00:15:35,240 Speaker 3: make sure we can do that and then manage the 243 00:15:35,280 --> 00:15:40,920 Speaker 3: portfolio really well so that we're investing to grow that 244 00:15:41,040 --> 00:15:44,480 Speaker 3: capital gain, to realize that capital gain for our shareholders 245 00:15:44,600 --> 00:15:50,280 Speaker 3: over time and the resident funds, the funding from our residents. 246 00:15:50,280 --> 00:15:53,280 Speaker 3: Putting capital in helps us provide that low cost of 247 00:15:53,320 --> 00:15:56,400 Speaker 3: capital that enables that model to work. If you go 248 00:15:56,480 --> 00:16:01,400 Speaker 3: to the other end, the care end services business, so 249 00:16:01,520 --> 00:16:05,600 Speaker 3: this is a margin business. It's fairly high cost to 250 00:16:05,640 --> 00:16:10,560 Speaker 3: provide care. Occupancy is really important. Utilization is really important 251 00:16:11,080 --> 00:16:15,760 Speaker 3: understanding where and how you make money, and we might 252 00:16:15,800 --> 00:16:18,800 Speaker 3: not make money, and so at that end of the business, 253 00:16:19,080 --> 00:16:24,440 Speaker 3: you know, it's about managing well for margin with high occupancy. 254 00:16:25,040 --> 00:16:29,720 Speaker 3: We're the largest age care provider in New Zealand. That 255 00:16:29,840 --> 00:16:33,840 Speaker 3: gives us the scale to do those things really well 256 00:16:34,360 --> 00:16:37,160 Speaker 3: and to offer a unique proposition that if you're a 257 00:16:37,200 --> 00:16:41,840 Speaker 3: smaller operator can be quite hard to do, but you know, 258 00:16:42,160 --> 00:16:48,280 Speaker 3: scale truly integrated living in an irreplaceable property portfolio. Unique 259 00:16:48,320 --> 00:16:51,080 Speaker 3: locations like the one in Devenport where we are today, 260 00:16:52,320 --> 00:16:54,160 Speaker 3: that's a pretty unique asset base. 261 00:16:55,320 --> 00:16:58,440 Speaker 1: Well, let's talk a bit more about care. You've mentioned 262 00:16:58,480 --> 00:17:01,840 Speaker 1: that it is really service business. It is really about 263 00:17:01,840 --> 00:17:05,520 Speaker 1: being laser focused on the margins. You also mentioned that 264 00:17:05,560 --> 00:17:11,159 Speaker 1: you've closed to facilities recently and that model is clearly 265 00:17:11,200 --> 00:17:13,719 Speaker 1: quite challenged at the moment. And I know there's been 266 00:17:13,720 --> 00:17:16,960 Speaker 1: a lot of dialogue between industry and the government in 267 00:17:17,000 --> 00:17:20,760 Speaker 1: New Zealand around what needs to change and some of 268 00:17:20,760 --> 00:17:23,320 Speaker 1: the settings that are just not working. Can you talk 269 00:17:23,400 --> 00:17:26,520 Speaker 1: us through some of those settings now you know what 270 00:17:26,720 --> 00:17:29,160 Speaker 1: is broken about the model, what does need to change? 271 00:17:29,520 --> 00:17:31,679 Speaker 1: In any other thoughts that you've got around that. 272 00:17:32,040 --> 00:17:34,360 Speaker 3: Australia is a little bit ahead of New Zealand, having 273 00:17:34,400 --> 00:17:38,760 Speaker 3: already worked through its funding reforms, but New Zealand right 274 00:17:38,800 --> 00:17:43,040 Speaker 3: now is right on the threshold of that. In simple terms, 275 00:17:44,040 --> 00:17:48,120 Speaker 3: we need to make sure that care is properly funded. 276 00:17:48,240 --> 00:17:51,639 Speaker 3: We need to provide more care in the home, and 277 00:17:51,680 --> 00:17:56,920 Speaker 3: we need to provide higher acuity care in residential care settings. 278 00:17:58,119 --> 00:18:01,840 Speaker 3: That's reflected in the government's policy and both sides of 279 00:18:01,840 --> 00:18:06,320 Speaker 3: the tasmum. How does that translate back into our business 280 00:18:06,560 --> 00:18:10,320 Speaker 3: and those reforms? The age care funding has lagged growth 281 00:18:10,320 --> 00:18:14,120 Speaker 3: in costs. It's very well understood and documented in multiple 282 00:18:14,160 --> 00:18:17,160 Speaker 3: government reports. What we need to work through is the 283 00:18:17,200 --> 00:18:21,520 Speaker 3: new funding regime that's going to set us up for 284 00:18:21,600 --> 00:18:27,119 Speaker 3: the future. So clinical care, which is the entitlement of 285 00:18:27,160 --> 00:18:34,840 Speaker 3: everyone being funded by government and being funded properly, and 286 00:18:34,880 --> 00:18:39,399 Speaker 3: then accommodation and living costs in the same way as 287 00:18:39,400 --> 00:18:41,159 Speaker 3: when you live in your own home, you pay for 288 00:18:41,200 --> 00:18:45,160 Speaker 3: those things. And so a shift to if you can 289 00:18:45,240 --> 00:18:49,440 Speaker 3: afford to pay, you pay, and where people do need 290 00:18:49,480 --> 00:18:52,960 Speaker 3: support from the government that's available to They're the big 291 00:18:53,000 --> 00:18:57,320 Speaker 3: shifts that are coming. We're onto this exciting phase with 292 00:18:57,720 --> 00:19:02,679 Speaker 3: the minister or advisory group that's been set up to 293 00:19:02,760 --> 00:19:05,120 Speaker 3: work through what's the hell how do we actually make 294 00:19:05,160 --> 00:19:07,600 Speaker 3: that happen, and how do we make that happen not 295 00:19:07,640 --> 00:19:09,920 Speaker 3: in five years time, how do we make this happen 296 00:19:09,960 --> 00:19:14,800 Speaker 3: next year? Because if we don't address this, the risk 297 00:19:14,880 --> 00:19:20,760 Speaker 3: for all kiwis is that it impacts our public hospital system. 298 00:19:21,800 --> 00:19:26,040 Speaker 3: Good care for our older citizens is an everyone issue 299 00:19:26,400 --> 00:19:31,760 Speaker 3: and a well functioning public health system. Actually it's foundational. 300 00:19:31,080 --> 00:19:34,439 Speaker 1: To that and the latest results, the entim results at 301 00:19:34,440 --> 00:19:38,800 Speaker 1: the end of last year you did record a positive 302 00:19:38,840 --> 00:19:40,760 Speaker 1: free cash flow, which I think was the first and 303 00:19:40,920 --> 00:19:43,960 Speaker 1: over a decade, can you talk us through a what 304 00:19:44,160 --> 00:19:47,560 Speaker 1: is free cash flow? And then be how did you 305 00:19:47,600 --> 00:19:49,879 Speaker 1: achieve it? How did you turn that around? And what 306 00:19:49,920 --> 00:19:51,840 Speaker 1: were some of the leavers that you needed to pull 307 00:19:51,960 --> 00:19:52,359 Speaker 1: to do that? 308 00:19:52,880 --> 00:19:57,159 Speaker 3: Yes, in really simple terms, free cash flow is you 309 00:19:57,200 --> 00:20:00,720 Speaker 3: look in the bank account and there is more money 310 00:20:00,720 --> 00:20:06,480 Speaker 3: in it or less did so the great thing about 311 00:20:06,680 --> 00:20:10,399 Speaker 3: cash cash nevalize and so one of the shifts that 312 00:20:10,480 --> 00:20:14,560 Speaker 3: our board made before I joined was a shift in 313 00:20:14,680 --> 00:20:19,399 Speaker 3: our reporting to put much more emphasis on cash based metrics, 314 00:20:19,800 --> 00:20:24,200 Speaker 3: which is really where we've already built our villages. What's 315 00:20:24,240 --> 00:20:28,880 Speaker 3: the cash they're generating? Cash flow from development activities, how 316 00:20:28,960 --> 00:20:33,239 Speaker 3: much are we spending in investing in new facilities, and 317 00:20:33,320 --> 00:20:37,680 Speaker 3: how is that recycling capital to invest in the next one. 318 00:20:38,160 --> 00:20:41,199 Speaker 3: But having really clear line a site to both. The 319 00:20:41,359 --> 00:20:44,880 Speaker 3: asset base is still well under earning what it should be. 320 00:20:45,440 --> 00:20:50,680 Speaker 3: But that's about resetting our cost base. That's about resetting 321 00:20:51,400 --> 00:20:56,680 Speaker 3: some of our pricing to market. It's about adjusting our 322 00:20:56,720 --> 00:21:00,159 Speaker 3: approach to development to build in line with demand. So 323 00:21:00,720 --> 00:21:04,919 Speaker 3: we've made early progress and a really great start to that, 324 00:21:04,960 --> 00:21:07,000 Speaker 3: but we've still got a good amount to go. And 325 00:21:07,040 --> 00:21:12,000 Speaker 3: we've been really clear what we're targeting. So one hundred 326 00:21:12,040 --> 00:21:18,280 Speaker 3: and fifty million dollar improvement and sustainable cash and performance 327 00:21:19,240 --> 00:21:24,399 Speaker 3: and a five hundred million dollar release in cash release 328 00:21:24,440 --> 00:21:26,720 Speaker 3: from the business by FYI twenty nine. So for in 329 00:21:26,840 --> 00:21:30,400 Speaker 3: the next three years, we'll keep reporting against that, We'll 330 00:21:30,440 --> 00:21:35,480 Speaker 3: keep telling people how we're going, but we want to 331 00:21:35,480 --> 00:21:39,000 Speaker 3: be really clear and transparent with the market about how 332 00:21:39,040 --> 00:21:44,760 Speaker 3: we are properly managing what is significant shareholder capital. 333 00:21:45,240 --> 00:21:48,680 Speaker 1: I'm curious to know what have been the hardest couple 334 00:21:48,720 --> 00:21:52,200 Speaker 1: of calls you've had to make since joining Ryman, and 335 00:21:52,280 --> 00:21:53,960 Speaker 1: if you talk through maybe some of the trade offs 336 00:21:53,960 --> 00:21:55,959 Speaker 1: that you had to think about through those calls. 337 00:21:56,280 --> 00:21:59,280 Speaker 3: There are some big decisions that are much bigger than others. 338 00:22:00,440 --> 00:22:04,240 Speaker 3: But ultimately I know my legacy as a CEO you 339 00:22:04,280 --> 00:22:07,000 Speaker 3: will only see when I'm no longer in the chair. 340 00:22:07,640 --> 00:22:11,719 Speaker 3: It's in the long term capability and capacity. Each time 341 00:22:12,480 --> 00:22:17,560 Speaker 3: we're approaching a big decision and important decision, how are 342 00:22:17,600 --> 00:22:24,200 Speaker 3: we building the capacity within the organization to make good decisions, 343 00:22:24,240 --> 00:22:26,600 Speaker 3: not just this one, but the ten that are going 344 00:22:26,680 --> 00:22:29,760 Speaker 3: to come after it, because that's what's critical to long 345 00:22:29,840 --> 00:22:33,840 Speaker 3: term value. What's been hard we obviously had to make 346 00:22:34,320 --> 00:22:36,800 Speaker 3: early on in my time, a decision to come back 347 00:22:36,840 --> 00:22:40,960 Speaker 3: to shareholders, and I should acknowledge and think how many 348 00:22:41,160 --> 00:22:45,320 Speaker 3: shares these shareholders who supported us through that. That's not easy. 349 00:22:45,359 --> 00:22:48,720 Speaker 3: But having done that, we are so well set up. 350 00:22:48,880 --> 00:22:52,280 Speaker 3: You know, the balance sheet side is done, it's reset. 351 00:22:53,320 --> 00:22:58,760 Speaker 3: We can now fully focus on getting this business performing. Similarly, 352 00:22:58,920 --> 00:23:03,200 Speaker 3: when we the decision with a couple of our care centers, 353 00:23:03,320 --> 00:23:05,879 Speaker 3: the hard decisions to make because we know they are 354 00:23:05,920 --> 00:23:10,040 Speaker 3: people's homes, but what we did with our teams and 355 00:23:10,080 --> 00:23:12,240 Speaker 3: what we did with every single one of our residents 356 00:23:12,320 --> 00:23:14,960 Speaker 3: at those sites was worked with them one on one. 357 00:23:15,240 --> 00:23:18,399 Speaker 3: It was so wonderful to get the feedback from many 358 00:23:18,480 --> 00:23:23,479 Speaker 3: of our residents who moved to other villages to not 359 00:23:23,640 --> 00:23:26,840 Speaker 3: just have managed that change, which can be quite difficult, 360 00:23:26,880 --> 00:23:30,320 Speaker 3: but they were so excited to be moving to a 361 00:23:30,359 --> 00:23:34,440 Speaker 3: newer village, a new home. So we're making good decisions 362 00:23:34,440 --> 00:23:37,960 Speaker 3: for shareholders, but we're also making good decisions for residents. 363 00:23:38,119 --> 00:23:40,600 Speaker 3: So yeah, I think, yes, there's been some hard decisions, 364 00:23:40,600 --> 00:23:46,719 Speaker 3: but actually the organization is leaning into the change and 365 00:23:46,800 --> 00:23:51,040 Speaker 3: as importantly, the opportunity that it presents for us to 366 00:23:51,080 --> 00:23:54,320 Speaker 3: not just get through this but lead the industry for 367 00:23:54,359 --> 00:23:57,359 Speaker 3: the next forty years, because that's what Rayman did forty 368 00:23:57,440 --> 00:24:00,960 Speaker 3: years ago. It invented the continuum of care model and 369 00:24:01,040 --> 00:24:04,520 Speaker 3: it led the industry and that's what I'd love to 370 00:24:04,560 --> 00:24:05,320 Speaker 3: be the legacy. 371 00:24:05,560 --> 00:24:09,600 Speaker 1: Well, speaking of opportunity and about growth and the next 372 00:24:09,600 --> 00:24:12,800 Speaker 1: forty years, I'd love to turn to Australia. You recently 373 00:24:12,880 --> 00:24:15,800 Speaker 1: juelisted on the A six, So tell me about how 374 00:24:15,840 --> 00:24:18,080 Speaker 1: do you think about Australia and what does success look 375 00:24:18,160 --> 00:24:18,560 Speaker 1: like there. 376 00:24:20,040 --> 00:24:23,520 Speaker 3: So Australia has got lots of the similar market opportunity, 377 00:24:23,600 --> 00:24:30,080 Speaker 3: the aging population, the housing shortage and the housing cycle. 378 00:24:30,200 --> 00:24:33,480 Speaker 3: You know, the rebound in the housing cycle that's coming. 379 00:24:34,400 --> 00:24:36,920 Speaker 3: Where it's different, it's at a different point in funding 380 00:24:37,080 --> 00:24:44,359 Speaker 3: reform as we've touched on. And also Ryman today is 381 00:24:44,400 --> 00:24:48,400 Speaker 3: only in Victoria. It's a much bigger market than New Zealand. 382 00:24:48,440 --> 00:24:50,840 Speaker 3: We are large in New Zealand, we are the largest 383 00:24:51,240 --> 00:24:55,840 Speaker 3: by a good amount. We have established scale and platform 384 00:24:55,880 --> 00:24:57,880 Speaker 3: now in Victoria and we want to build on that. 385 00:24:57,960 --> 00:25:01,320 Speaker 3: So part of the AX listing was really a foundation 386 00:25:01,960 --> 00:25:05,480 Speaker 3: to go and say we see future growth and opportunity 387 00:25:05,600 --> 00:25:09,920 Speaker 3: to be a bigger player in Australia. We've open minded 388 00:25:09,960 --> 00:25:14,040 Speaker 3: about how we do that. We're also very disciplined in 389 00:25:14,119 --> 00:25:16,679 Speaker 3: how we think about growth and that was part of 390 00:25:16,720 --> 00:25:19,359 Speaker 3: what we've set out in our capital management framework. So 391 00:25:19,400 --> 00:25:24,280 Speaker 3: whether it's more green field growth, new sites we've already 392 00:25:24,320 --> 00:25:29,119 Speaker 3: got a good quality land bank over there, or M 393 00:25:29,160 --> 00:25:32,120 Speaker 3: and A or other ways to grow, we definitely see 394 00:25:32,600 --> 00:25:34,720 Speaker 3: that as a key part of our future. 395 00:25:34,840 --> 00:25:37,800 Speaker 1: You mentioned M and A and that being a possibility. 396 00:25:38,280 --> 00:25:40,679 Speaker 1: There has been quite a lot of consolidation in the 397 00:25:40,720 --> 00:25:44,960 Speaker 1: Australian market. How likely do you think that is. Could 398 00:25:45,000 --> 00:25:47,679 Speaker 1: we assume that there are sort of no plans to 399 00:25:48,200 --> 00:25:51,000 Speaker 1: raise additional capital in the future or need additional capital 400 00:25:51,040 --> 00:25:54,640 Speaker 1: future outside of something like a big M and A opportunity. 401 00:25:54,960 --> 00:25:57,840 Speaker 3: M and A is not our focus at present. We 402 00:25:57,880 --> 00:26:01,560 Speaker 3: are focused on getting the operating performance in the assets 403 00:26:01,600 --> 00:26:06,080 Speaker 3: we have today, to get that return for shareholders from 404 00:26:06,119 --> 00:26:11,520 Speaker 3: what has already been invested. And clearly, when we're trading 405 00:26:11,760 --> 00:26:15,520 Speaker 3: at a little under point seven times NTA, we wouldn't 406 00:26:15,520 --> 00:26:20,640 Speaker 3: want to go and pay one time's NTA to dilute 407 00:26:20,640 --> 00:26:24,600 Speaker 3: our shareholders. That would be nonsensical. But we do see 408 00:26:24,680 --> 00:26:28,120 Speaker 3: M and A potentially in the future as the business 409 00:26:28,640 --> 00:26:31,960 Speaker 3: performs better, and we are watching the consolidation that is 410 00:26:32,000 --> 00:26:35,679 Speaker 3: playing out in Australia. Scale matters in this industry and 411 00:26:35,720 --> 00:26:38,800 Speaker 3: it's going to matter even more in the future. And 412 00:26:38,920 --> 00:26:41,879 Speaker 3: so i'd say that's we're going to monitor. We're going 413 00:26:41,960 --> 00:26:45,480 Speaker 3: to focus on getting our existing business performing first. 414 00:26:45,359 --> 00:26:48,960 Speaker 1: Great And finally I'd like to finish with a bit 415 00:26:49,000 --> 00:26:52,280 Speaker 1: more about you at the home of Rayman And speaking 416 00:26:52,320 --> 00:26:55,400 Speaker 1: of capital intensity, you came into the retirement sector from 417 00:26:55,400 --> 00:26:59,879 Speaker 1: a background and here vs it regulated infrastructure, big operation 418 00:27:00,119 --> 00:27:04,760 Speaker 1: or environments. So, you know, while the different sector definitely parallels, 419 00:27:05,520 --> 00:27:09,400 Speaker 1: what leadership instincts from your previous roles, have you been 420 00:27:09,440 --> 00:27:12,880 Speaker 1: able to play here or been most useful and are 421 00:27:12,880 --> 00:27:15,920 Speaker 1: they any that you've had to maybe tweak or unlearn, 422 00:27:16,200 --> 00:27:19,040 Speaker 1: you know, because retirement is a different, different ball game. 423 00:27:19,640 --> 00:27:22,680 Speaker 3: Yes, So in terms of the similarities, these are big 424 00:27:22,720 --> 00:27:27,280 Speaker 3: capital intensive businesses that means getting capital decision making capital 425 00:27:27,280 --> 00:27:32,639 Speaker 3: allocation right is critically important. They're big cost businesses that 426 00:27:32,760 --> 00:27:38,680 Speaker 3: means disciplined operations and operational excellence is important. And they're 427 00:27:38,720 --> 00:27:43,760 Speaker 3: big you know, quality and safety. We provide essential services 428 00:27:44,680 --> 00:27:46,840 Speaker 3: in the same way as we did in my last job. 429 00:27:47,720 --> 00:27:51,160 Speaker 3: And so being really clear on not just the financial 430 00:27:51,160 --> 00:27:54,840 Speaker 3: performance but the non financial you know those quality, safety, 431 00:27:55,800 --> 00:28:00,800 Speaker 3: clinical indicators. So while we're measuring different things, it's actually 432 00:28:00,880 --> 00:28:08,880 Speaker 3: the same ingredients. From a leadership perspective, what as we've 433 00:28:08,920 --> 00:28:14,960 Speaker 3: touched on, the creating clarity and setting standards in organizations 434 00:28:15,080 --> 00:28:22,119 Speaker 3: like this is critically important, particularly through change, and helping 435 00:28:22,400 --> 00:28:26,840 Speaker 3: people know what is expected, know what good looks like, 436 00:28:27,320 --> 00:28:30,360 Speaker 3: and thinking about how they're going to continue to improve 437 00:28:30,400 --> 00:28:35,000 Speaker 3: and contribute to that. I see a key part of change. 438 00:28:35,000 --> 00:28:40,200 Speaker 3: When you get organizations leaning into change, it's an opportunity 439 00:28:40,800 --> 00:28:45,360 Speaker 3: not just for organizational growth, but for personal growth. And 440 00:28:46,800 --> 00:28:51,360 Speaker 3: organizations don't just survive change. People don't just survive change. 441 00:28:51,400 --> 00:28:56,720 Speaker 3: They get stronger because they left to respond to the challenge, 442 00:28:56,920 --> 00:28:59,960 Speaker 3: rise to that challenge, and they come out better versions 443 00:29:00,200 --> 00:29:02,800 Speaker 3: of themselves. And I have no doubt that's what Ryman 444 00:29:02,880 --> 00:29:06,760 Speaker 3: will be. And so that's the opportunity. 445 00:29:07,000 --> 00:29:09,720 Speaker 1: Well know me. Thanks so much for your time and insights. 446 00:29:09,800 --> 00:29:12,680 Speaker 1: We've covered a lot. It's been so valuable to understand 447 00:29:12,760 --> 00:29:16,800 Speaker 1: more about the Ryman business model and your approach going 448 00:29:16,840 --> 00:29:19,720 Speaker 1: forward through this reset, and I for one, am really 449 00:29:19,720 --> 00:29:22,680 Speaker 1: looking forward to seeing how this chapter unfolds for residents, 450 00:29:22,720 --> 00:29:26,880 Speaker 1: for staff, and for shareholders. And thanks to listeners and 451 00:29:26,960 --> 00:29:32,080 Speaker 1: viewers for tuning in. You can catch this episode on YouTube, Spotify, 452 00:29:32,400 --> 00:29:34,520 Speaker 1: Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast