With more than 20 years' experience in Australia’s housing market, Kris is Assemble’s Managing Director.

As Managing Director of Assemble, Kris is responsible for origination, business development and advocacy. He has built a career on his extensive experience in financial structuring and real estate development across all industry sectors, with a focus on housing. Kris is a highly innovative and respected leader in Australia’s property development and real estate market.

Since acquiring Assemble in 2016, Kris has focused the business to create opportunities for more Australians to live in in sustainable, appropriate and well-designed homes via the design and attraction of institutional asset owners to multiple alternative home ownership and affordable rental models. Kris has worked closely with some of the largest industry superannuation funds in Australia, AustralianSuper and HESTA, as foundation partners and shareholders to deliver returns for their members and change the housing landscape.

Kris sits on Assemble’s Board of Directors as well as contributing to various Government and housing industry forums. Committed to continued research and innovation in the property sector, Kris shares his experience in alternative housing models as a way of improving affordability.

Since acquiring Assemble in 2016, Kris has focused the business to create opportunities for more Australians to live in in sustainable, appropriate and well-designed homes via the design and attraction of institutional asset owners to multiple alternative home ownership and affordable rental models. Kris has worked closely with some of the largest industry superannuation funds in Australia, AustralianSuper and HESTA, as foundation partners and shareholders to deliver returns for their members and change the housing landscape.

Kris sits on Assemble’s Board of Directors as well as contributing to various Government and housing industry forums. Committed to continued research and innovation in the property sector, Kris shares his experience in alternative housing models as a way of improving affordability.

Professional Background

Academic qualifications and affiliations:

• Bachelor of Engineering, The University of Melbourne
• Bachelor of Science, The University of Melbourne
• Private Equity and Venture Capital PGM, Harvard Business School
• Property Council of Australia Planning Advisory Committee 2011- 2013
• Urban Development Institute of Australia Greenfields Development Committee 2010 – 2013

Relevant Experience

Assemble, Managing Director

From 2016 to 2024, Kris led the acquisition and industry partnerships model of a portfolio of projects with a combined end value of over $9b comprising 12,000 homes. The majority of this portfolio will be delivered under three key housing models which provide the following:

• A supported pathway into homeownership provided (the Assemble Model or Build to Rent to Own).
• Long tenure multi-family, mixed-income rental accommodation (Build to Rent on land which is Owned or Leased).
• Selective up-front ownership options as a component of larger projects (Build to Sell).

Key projects include:

• 393 Macaulay Road, Kensington 73 units | Assemble Model | $45m end value | Completion mid-2021
• 15 Thompson Street, Kensington 199 units | Assemble Model | $111m end value | Completed June 2024
• 30 St Georges Road, Preston 450 units | Mixed tenure housing | $300m+ end value | Construction to commence 2025

Super Housing Partnerships, Executive Director

Before its merger with Assemble in 2024, Kris was Managing Director at Super Housing Partnerships, a specialist investment management company designed to scale up institutional investments into Australian rental housing projects.

In his role, Kris Daff established the organisation and oversaw its growth, playing a pivotal role in onboarding partnerships with superannuation funds, investors, third-party developers, and community housing providers to deliver impactful social and affordable housing projects.

Key Projects:

+    402 Macaulay Road, Kensington 367 units | Social and affordable build-to-rent | $240m end value | Due for completion late 2025

+    Pier Street, Perth | Social and affordable build-to-rent | $130m end value | Construction to commence 2025

MAKE Ventures, Managing Director

Kris Daff served as Managing Director of Make Ventures from 2014 to 2024, guiding the business with a focus on delivering exceptional residential and commercial projects. Under his leadership, MAKE Ventures solidified its reputation for creating diverse, high-quality developments that respond to the evolving needs of Melbourne’s urban landscape. Over a decade, Kris oversaw significant growth, driving innovative strategies and drove transformative projects that address needs across the housing continuum.

Key projects include:

• East Village, East Boundary Rd, East Bentleigh 1,200 units | Assemble Model + Build to Rent | $900m end value | 5-year planning process, finalisation 2025
• 120 Messmate Road, Torquay | Multi-family housing | 18-month planning process, finalisation 2028
• Carinish Road, Clayton 2.12-hectare land re-use project | $700m end value | Negotiated facilitated planning pathway with State of Victoria

As Director at Evolve, a boutique property development group in Melbourne, Kris Daff delivered $1bn in developments (over 1,000 apartments and 800 land allotments) and grew its workbook to nearly $3bn during his seven years.

In the past Kris has completed transactions internally and partnerships with institutional, family office and other private equity capital sources such as: Macquarie Bank; ISPT; Ashe Morgan; Gersh Investment Partners; and Multiple HNW Family Offices.

Key projects include:

• The Guilfoyle, Coventry St South Melbourne 353 units & 1,200sqm retail | Build to Sell | $189m end value | Completed 2013, ISPT JV
• 74 Queens Road, Melbourne 227 units | Build to Sell | $127m end value | JV with private landowner, completed 2013
• 76 St Kilda Road, Melbourne | 210 apartments | Build to Sell, completed 2006