Summerset Welcomes Alison Barrass to Board

Thursday 16th July 2026

Summerset Group Holdings Limited is pleased to announce the appointment of Alison Barrass to the Board of Directors.

Alison is an experienced professional director with a governance and executive background spanning fast-moving consumer goods, agriculture, property development, financial services and technology. These roles range from Chair of the AA Insurance Board, Director and HR & Compensations Committee Chair at Spark (NZX/ASX), Director and Chair of the Sustainability Committee at Zespri International (NZX) and Director at Precinct Properties (NZX).

Prior to her governance career Alison has over 10 years’ experience as a CEO, most recently at Griffins Foods.

Summerset Board Chair, Mark Verbiest, welcomed Alison to the company’s Board saying she brings significant Governance experience to Summerset.

“Alison brings considerable experience across a number of sectors and companies to Summerset’s Board and business. She will add a strong customer perspective to the table.

“Alison will replace Gráinne Troute, who signalled at last year’s AGM her intention to step down after 10 years on our Board. We look forward to having Alison join us and working on a handover with Gráinne.”

Gráinne Troute to retire from the Board

Mr Verbiest also recognised the contribution of Gráinne Troute to Summerset.

“On behalf of the Board I’d like to thank Gráinne for the experience and leadership she has brought to Summerset’s Board over the last decade.

“Gráinne’s time at Summerset has seen an enormous amount of change, our resident numbers have more than doubled, we’ve grown from 21 registered villages to 43 and the company moved into Australia. She has been a highly valued member of the board and engaged in a wide variety of governance activities including Chairing our People & Culture Committee.”

Alison Barrass will join Summerset’s Board as a non-executive independent director on 1 September 2026 and commence as Chair of the People & Culture Committee on 1 October 2026, with Gráinne Troute to retire from the Board on 30 September 2026.

ENDS

Summerset Welcomes Alison Barrass to Board

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