Scentre Group’s Book Club

We want to be the place for talent to thrive, so we cultivate an environment that nurtures our people’s wellbeing.

HR Director Maria Stamoulis said: “We create opportunities for our people to enrich their lives through the experiences they have with us because if you’re growing personally, you’re growing professionally.

“Scentre Group Book Club brings together people from across the business to connect over a shared love of reading and conversation.

“We are incredibly lucky that Board Director and Chair of our Risk & Sustainability Committee, Margie Seale, hosts the Book Club.

“We support people to travel from across Australia and New Zealand to Sydney to share in what is a singularly unique benefit of being a Scentre Group team member.”

So far Book Club has explored Greek Lessons by Nobel Prize winning author Han Kang – chosen for its depth and openness to interpretation, and Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist – a story chosen for its universal themes of purpose, courage and the pursuit of dreams.

Margie Seale, said: “Books have the power to open minds and start conversations that change how we see the world.

“What has been most notable is witnessing the depth of reflection and the diversity of perspectives across the Book Club groups.

“On each occasion, people had clearly engaged with the books thoughtfully and personally. The insights shared created a rich conversation that reminded us of the value and importance of making time for reflective learning like this within our business.”

Michael Diakomichalis, Project Architect, said: “Margie welcomed everyone not as a Board Director, but as a fellow reader and lifelong learner, inviting us to bring our whole selves to the conversation.

“Guiding us through the evening were acclaimed cultural commentators Sophie Gee and Jonty Claypole, whose global perspectives and creative energy helped spark expansive discussion.

“Sophie is not only a novelist herself, but a Professor of English at Princeton University and the inaugural Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow at the University of Sydney.

“Jonty is also an author and former Director of Arts at the BBC where he led award-winning programming and championed accessibility in the arts, and is now the CEO of The Red Room, a global poetry and creative organisation. We were very fortunate to have them in such an intimate setting.”

Katie Paull, General Manager HR, said: “The session sparked curiosity, encouraged open-minded discussion, and strengthened our culture of belonging.

“True to our ‘outside-in’ mindset, the impact of the Book Club creates a ripple beyond a single evening.”

Attendees of our next Book Club event will have the opportunity to explore Hamnet, by Maggie O’Farrell.