Meet the Team

Joining Kennards Self Storage in 1991, after completing a Bachelor of Business (Land Economics) at Hawkesbury Agricultural College, Sam was later appointed to the position of Chief Executive Officer in late 1994, taking over from his father Neville Kennard (1937 - 2012). The company had 12 storage centres operating at the time. Since 1991, he worked in a number of customer-facing roles in the business, as well as Operations, Marketing, Construction, Finance, Property Acquisitions and Development. In that time, he has grown the business from 12 storage centres in 1994 to 110 centres and employing over 350 people across Australia and New Zealand today. The market value of the assets now exceeds $3.3 billion. 

His career has given extensive experience in the business, property sector, property development and self storage industry. While the focus and key strength has been acquiring property and developing new self storage centres, his career also includes large scale acquisitions and mergers of multi-site self storage groups. 

In 2004, ten years after his appointment as Chief Executive Officer, he successfully acquired Australia's largest storage operator, Millers Self Storage, in an industry defining $220 million transaction. This more than doubled the size of the business and was game changing for KSS. In 2007, he negotiated and acquired the company's first significant trans-Tasman investment, acquiring 8 operating self storage centres in New Zealand. 

Sam is currently on the Board of the Self Storage Association of Australasia, as well as the Board of The Centre for Independent Studies and the Wenona School Foundation. He is a regular contributor to self storage and property journals, particularly the Mini Storage Messenger; Inside Self Storage and The SSAA Insider. You can also follow Sam on LinkedIn and X.

David has close to 30 years experience in the property and funds management industry. Prior to establishing his own boutique property group in 2007, he was the Chief Executive Officer (Asia Pacific) of the ASX listed Goodman Group. Prior to being the CEO (Asia Pacific), David was Goodman’s Groups Chief Operating Officer. 

David worked for Goodman for more than a decade and before joining them he was the Fund Manager of ASX listed Paladin Industrial Fund and an Associate Director of CDH Properties (acquired by KPMG).

David has a proven track record at both executive and Board levels of the development and implementation of effective business stratergy. He also has extensive and practical experience in change management.

David is the Chairman and an Independent Director of the ASX listed 360 Capital Group Limited. In August 2016 David was appointed to the Council of the University of New England. He also sits on a number of advisory boards. David is a Fellow of the Australian Property Institute.

David holds a Bachelor of Business (Land Economy) from the University of Western Sydney and a Post Graduate Diploma in Management and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of New England.

“Creating the space for Change”

Self-Storage is about “peace of mind” helping people through those changing moments in life, whether it be for personal or business reasons. Customers are at the heart of everything Kennards do.

Kennards Self Storage is a family owned business established back in 1973, a business built on strong family values. Committed to the wellbeing and development of its people by fostering a constructive and open work environment. A place where people are valued and appreciated who can make a real difference, with a veracious appetite for innovation and improvement, continually striving for excellence. Along with the dream to become a “Famous Household Name” and a company that people will talk fondly about.

Darren Marshall joined Kennards Self Storage in 2003. He worked as various operations roles giving him broad experience throughout the business. Darren has been instrumental in the growth, performance and improvement of the company. 

He played a key role in the integration of the Millers assets which more than doubled the size of the business, acquired in 2004, and then the New Zealand acquisition of 8 storage centres in 2007. He has been instrumental in the growth of the business to 90 locations today.  

Darren is passionate about personal and professional development so that he may continue to service and contribute value back to the business, to achieve and exceed and ensure Kennards Self Storage remains a successful long term sustainable business. 

Serving two terms as a Board Member of the Self Storage Industry, establishing himself as an authority and Industry leader in Self storage.  

In 2019, Darren was appointed to the position of Chief Operating Officer.

Michael started with Kennards in May 2005 just after the Millers acquisition and brings over 20years of experience gained in various design and construction roles and sectors. The role of Kennards Development Manager covers the full property cycle starting with site assessment onto design and planning approvals, through to construction and then handover for the team to operate; paying particular attention to ensuring the detailing is to the Kennards specification.

Prior to Kennards, starting with a drafting job in his Father’s architectural practice, Michael held senior design and construct roles with Dyldam Developments and Mirvac.

A student of technology with a passion for understanding how things work, Jeff Xanthos is the CIO at Kennards Self Storage where he spends most of his time aligning the wider business and customer experience to progressive strategy.

Jeff believes technology has the power to connect Teams, Business Operations, with Strategy and Customer Experience. Technology is not the answer but the enabler to an effective work place and a positive culture where results are driven through people not software or machines.

Tony joined the Kennards Self Storage in 2011 as one of the NSW Operations Manager. Prior to joining he started his career at Coles Supermarkets working through all levels of management and departments. He then became a franchisee at Michel’s Patisserie. After selling his stores he worked as a Franchise Business Consultant for Michel’s and later Boost Juice Bars.

Through experience in these prior roles Tony brought in strong skills in leading, coaching and developing teams within Kennards.

Since joining he has been a strong influence and effective contributor to business improvement and innovation at the company. 

In 2019, he was appointed to position of General Manager - Operations. 

Tony's interests include watching/playing tennis, anything to do with cars, yum cha and cooking.

Fiona Harding is a passionate and driven Business Development Manager specialising in Corporate Accounts, Contact Centre Management and Corporate Partnerships.

Joining Kennards in 2005 as a Customer Care Officer she has held various roles within the business providing her exceptional exposure to the Self Storage industry. Fiona has been a fundamental player in the growth and success of the Business seeing it grow from 50 centres to over 100 locations across Australia & New Zealand.

Fiona has a strong passion for people and creative innovation, always challenging the status quo and digging deeper into the ‘why’ she fosters a hunger to improve, innovate and empower those around her whenever the opportunity presents.

Fiona has completed studies in Interior Design and Decoration and holds a further Diploma in Leadership and Management. She consistently uses her creative flare to deliver first class customer service and out of the box solutions for clients.

Radha brings nearly 30 years of experience working across real estate, construction, financial services, technology, property services and professional services industries in various roles covering Audit, Financial Control, Capital, Treasury, and Corporate Development (M and A). Radha has strong strategic financial management experience from working in leadership roles within multinationals and listed and private entrepreneurial ventures. 

Radha’s journey with Kennards originated at Valad Property Group and was involved with the KSS-Valad partnership.Then later as a consultant assisting the Kennards business with implementing debt financing. 

In July 2024, Radha joined the business as Chief Financial Officer bringing with him an appreciation of the business, financial management skills and leadership experiences to support the financial, capital and strategic development of projects and the company. Radha is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Management Studies (Hons) (Accounting and Finance) and a Post Graduate Diploma in Treasury and Financial Management from The University of Waikato (NZ).