About Birchmead

We invest in, develop and manage property with a long-term ownership perspective.

Who we are

We are part of the CFC Group, a privately owned Australian investment group established in 1968, with diversified interests across logistics, industrial services, equipment distribution, environmental infrastructure and property.

Birchmead originated delivering bespoke industrial facilities for its related companies and has matured over time into a fully integrated property investment business that operates across the country.

Key personnel

Birchmead is led by a Board and management team with experience across property, finance and industrial operations. Together, they oversee investment decisions, project delivery and the long-term management of the assets we own and operate.

Advisory Board

Philip Cardaci Executive Chairman

Philip provides strategic oversight across the CFC Group, including Birchmead, guiding long term investment direction and development activity. He represents the second generation of the Cardaci family ownership, with the Group founded by Frank and Carl Cardaci in 1968.

He joined the Group in 1990 and led the growth of JCB Construction Equipment Australia as Managing Director. Prior to this, he worked as a Systems Engineer with Fujitsu Australia.

Philip holds a Bachelor of Science from Murdoch University and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Michael West Advisory Board Member

Michael joined the CFC Group in 2018 and oversees the Group’s family office, including treasury, legal, risk, investment and acquisitions. He contributes financial and governance oversight across Birchmead’s investment activities.

He has experience in private equity, investment banking and corporate strategy across private and ASX-listed organisations in Perth and Sydney.

Michael holds degrees in Finance, Economics and Mechanical Engineering from the University of Sydney and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and CPA Australia.
Paul Sadleir Advisory Board Member

Paul brings more than 30 years’ experience across property, construction, infrastructure and funds management. He previously served as Managing Director of Cedar Woods Properties Limited, a national ASX300 property developer.

His current roles include Non-Executive Director of Perron Group Limited and Co-operative Bulk Handling Ltd and President of the Australian Institute of Company Directors WA Division.

Paul provides independent strategic and governance oversight, drawing on senior leadership experience across listed, private and government organisations.
Isaac Rankin Advisory Board Member

Isaac is a company director and adviser with more than 30 years’ experience in commercial banking, institutional finance and private equity in Australia and the United States.

He was formerly Managing Director, Commercial and Private Banking at ANZ, where he led SME and high-net-worth banking operations nationally. He was also a founding director of the Australian Business Growth Fund, a public-private partnership providing growth capital to Australian businesses.

Isaac contributes capital markets and financing expertise to Birchmead’s governance and investment activities.

Executive Team

Joe Sanfilippo General Manager

Joe leads Birchmead and is responsible for business operations, project delivery and portfolio performance.

With a background in building design and construction, he has extensive experience delivering complex development projects. He has overseen more than $150 million in industrial and commercial development and managed real estate transactions exceeding $400 million across the portfolio.

Joe works closely with partners, consultants and contractors to deliver projects aligned with operational and commercial objectives and long-term asset performance.
Dax Foley Head of Investment

Dax leads investment strategy, capital allocation and partnership structuring across Birchmead. He oversees acquisitions, joint venture investments and pre-commitment leasing of development sites.

He has more than 15 years’ of property development and investment experience across industrial, residential, commercial and specialised operational property in Australia and the United Kingdom. Dax has managed large-scale industrial developments for Birchmead, including major CEA facilities in Perth and Brisbane. He also manages relationships with key development partners.

Prior to joining Birchmead in 2020, he held senior development roles with Peet, Westminster City Council, Cape Bouvard and Development WA.
John Di Pietro Head of Asset Management

John leads asset, property and facilities management across Birchmead’s portfolio, including locations occupied by the CFC Group. He oversees leasing, operations, compliance and tenant and stakeholder engagement.

He has more than 18 years’ experience in commercial real estate, with previous roles at Blackoak Capital, the University of Western Australia, JLL and Woolworths.

John has implemented integrated property and financial management systems to improve service delivery and operational efficiency, ensuring assets operate reliably and continue to meet occupier requirements.

How we operate

Birchmead operates with a long-term ownership mindset.

Our approach combines disciplined capital investment, deep development expertise and hands-on management capability, allowing us to deliver property outcomes aligned with operational requirements and long‑term value creation.

Investment

We invest directly in property opportunities and selectively partner with experienced developers through joint ventures, contributing capital, commercial insight and development oversight.

Development

Our team delivers complex property developments, always designing with end users front of mind to maximise operational efficiency and long-term adaptability.

Management

Birchmead provides integrated asset, property and facilities management in-house, ensuring reliability, efficiency and long-term alignment with occupier requirements.

Commitment to sustainability

Birchmead approaches sustainability through responsible development, environmentally conscious design and a long-term ownership mindset.

Sustainability considerations are integrated throughout the planning, design and delivery process, with a focus on lifecycle performance, lower-carbon outcomes, energy efficiency and adaptability. Birchmead also adopts recognised industry frameworks and rating tools, including Green Star where appropriate, to support credible and measurable outcomes.

Guiding principles

Birchmead's approach reflects the CFC Group's core values of Respect, Integrity, Passion, Persistence and Accountability, expressed through a consistent set of operating principles.

Long-term thinking

We invest in, develop and manage assets with a multi-decade horizon prioritising durability and whole-of-life performance.

Partnership

We work collaboratively with development partners and occupiers, contributing experience and practical insight.

Commercial discipline

We pursue opportunities supported by strong fundamentals and proven delivery capability.

Accountability

We take responsibility for outcomes well beyond project completion through long‑term ownership and management.