Established in 1864, Prahran Market is an iconic community asset owned by Stonnington City Council and governed by an independent Board of Directors appointed by Council, according to their varied skills.
Council entered into these arrangements so that the day to day operations of the Market would be independent from Council and to ensure, as far as possible, the decisions regarding the Market were made in the overall best interests of the community. The day to day operation of the Market is the responsibility of the General Manager and his staff.
The Market Management Office is located on the first floor and is open every day except Monday.
A message from Prahran Market CEO, Noel Dempsey – 18th March, 2024
Dear Prahran Market Community,
It is an absolute privilege to be given the right to help guide the PM through the next phase of its journey.
As you know we plan to go back to the early roots of the Prahran Market as locals doing business together, and being a place that the community can describe as MY MARKET.
Already the market is famous for food, but I think the most exciting thing will be to work with traders, partners and you in the community to develop a total experience that goes way beyond providing great produce, but makes it easier for everyone to come more often and stay longer as set out in our strategy.
I bring my decades of experience as a senior leader at CEO and Board levels, with expertise across Hospitality, Food & Beverage, Retail, Tourism, Leisure, Attractions Entertainment and Resorts to this challenge.
I am looking forward to making meaningful changes, with my team, that will develop the Market as an even better place to be: more convenient, more fun to come to shop, to spend time in and have great experiences no matter your budget.
See you at the Market.
Noel.
A message from the Chair – 8th March 2024
Dear Prahran Market community,
Today, we’re happy to let you know that, after an extensive search with a field of strong candidates we have appointed Prahran Market’s new CEO.
Noel Dempsey is a dynamic and highly motivated leader who brings decades of experience as a senior leader at CEO and Board level across a wide range of related customer and service-based industries such as Hospitality, Food & Beverage, Retail, Tourism and Leisure.
One of the key aspects we, at the Board, were looking for in our recruitment process was somebody who understands the importance of the Market to our local community and the need to work well with Market Traders as we revitalise the Market.
We’re at a pivotal time in the history of Prahran Market, with transformative changes taking place in our community, economy, and environment. We need to be bold, inspiring and creative to navigate these changes, so we retain our position as Australia’s longest standing market and mainstay for Melbourne foodies, as we work to become Australia’s best.
We’re confident that under Noel’s democratic and strategic leadership we will take great strides towards achieving this.
Noel is already across and fully committed to the Market’s Vision, Strategy and plans so he will be able to work with the Management Team to continue to implement Phase One of the Strategy where we have been getting the fundamentals right, focusing on creating a clean, safe and orderly space, as well as laying the foundations for a financially sustainable future.
He’s also excited to implement the Second Phase of our Strategy to create a vibrant Market, getting a great retail mix, and making the market more functional and attractive as we move into the Third Phase ahead of building community experiences to attract more people through.
As you know, we have some big work ahead of us this year in repairing Harvest Hall roof and upgrading Market Square as well as filling our vacant tenancies.
Noel is looking forward to joining the Market team, and says, ‘it is an absolute privilege to be given the right to help guide the PM through the next phases of its journey.’ He adds that he loves the early roots of the PM as a Market for ‘locals to do business together’ and will work for even more of the community to ‘describe the PM as “MY MARKET.”
Noel will be officially joining Prahran Market from April 3rd and you will hear more from him then, although he’ll be working with outgoing General Manager Isaac Tait and the rest of the Management Team before to make sure there is a steady handover.
Meanwhile, we also want to honour and thank Isaac for his two years as Market General Manger, although it seems much longer, given all he has achieved. We are grateful to Isaac, who has led the team with steadfast energy and clarity to set Prahran Market up with a sound foundation to revitalise into an exciting future.
Isaac’s last day will officially be on March 28th, although he has kindly offered to continue to assist Noel and the new team as we need him.
Please join us in thanking Isaac, and welcoming Noel to Prahran Market as we look forward to supporting him as he accelerates our plans by working in collaboration with you all as valued community and our partners and staff.
Warm regards
Kate O’Sullivan
On behalf of PM Board
A message from the Chair – 18th January, 2024
Dear Prahran Market Community,
We hope your year has started well. We’re writing to you now to let you know that Isaac Tait, Prahran Market’s General Manager, will be leaving to take up an unexpected and wonderful opportunity, running his own business.
Although this opportunity arose several years before he had planned for it, given the excellent foundation he and his team have built for the revitalisation of the Market in the last year, we at the Board, are happy to wish him well in his future endeavours.
Isaac has kindly extended his transition period from two to four months which gives us good time to find the right person to head up the team and implement the Market’s Vision, Strategies and Plans which the Market has worked so hard on developing.
We have started the recruitment process and will keep you informed of our progress as we transition to a new leader in a steady, planned way.
In the meantime, we have full confidence in Isaac and the Management Team to continue to implement all priorities according to the Market’s Vision, Strategy and business and other plans which include:
• a major repair of Harvest Hall roof,
• Market Square upgraded and
• More tenancies filled as we all work to revitalise our iconic and beloved Market.After building a strong foundation last year in planning and repairs, 2024 promises to be an exciting year for the Market where we will all begin to see some impressive changes as we both look after our loyal and long-standing community as well as invite new visitors through our doors.
Isaac’s official last day at the Market will be 31 March 2024, however, we’ve agreed with Isaac to be available on a consultation basis after this date if required.
Warm regards
Kate O’Sullivan, Chair
On behalf of PM Board
Click HERE to read FAQ on the departure of our General Manager.
A message from the Chair
As the new year starts, we at the Board of Prahran Market, would like to take this opportunity to wish each of you a happy and safe 2024.
We had a great year at the Market, establishing some solid foundations for revitalising the Market.
After talking with you all, the PM Traders, consulting with Council, as well as doing comprehensive quantitative and qualitative studies and undertaking local and global research, we are confident we have a very strong Vision and Strategy in place.
We’ve also seen terrific progress in bringing the Market up to health, safety and security standards and made great inroads in doing badly needed repairs and upgrades.
We particularly want to thank the Council for making the significant funding contribution of 6.2 million dollars to do this fundamental and crucial work, which will continue throughout this year, as well.
We’re excited about the Market’s future and as chairperson, I can assure you that the Prahran Market Board has the interests of all our community who spend time at the market, and Market Traders very much at the forefront of our minds in all the work we do.
We look forward to talking to you more as the year unfolds.
May 2024 bring you and your families peace and success in your endeavours.
Kate O’Sullivan
Chair
On behalf of Prahran Market Board
Meet the Directors
Kate O’Sullivan, Chair and Non-Executive Director
Experienced executive and board member with a demonstrated history of working in the sports, racing and entertainment and hospitality industries. Skilled in strategy development, executive coaching, sales and marketing management, budgeting and commercial operations and business planning.
Lihini Haysman, Non-Executive Director
A strategic management and finance professional with over 30 years’ experience catalysing and driving performance and growth in diverse environments, including private and public organisations within retail industries and local government. Purpose-driven, with a demonstrable ability to collaborate and provide effective direction and constructive action.
John Nevins, Non-Executive Director
Has worked extensively in Victorian Local Government and was a long-term Local Government Chief Executive Officer. Held senior executive roles in Victorian Public Transport and the Public Service. An independent member of Finance Audit and Risk Committees and an Adviser to a Digital Technology business.
George Karabatsos, Non-Executive Director
George is a C-Level Executive with CEO/COO level experience over a 25+ year career, including Company Directorships and Executive Leadership roles at Top 50 ASX companies, Private Equity Groups and Private CO’s. Through various asset management and property investment roles, George developed extensive knowledge and capability across a broad range of disciplines (including asset management, leasing, marketing, retail design, master planning, development feasibilities, due diligence, acquisitions) and management of key investor, joint venture and multi stakeholder relationships.
Meet the Management Team
Noel Dempsey
CEO
Andrea Arendsen
Accounts and Administration