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- 2025's biggest moves, new Ray White Joint Chairman and Jacob Caine reappointed at REIV
2025's biggest moves, new Ray White Joint Chairman and Jacob Caine reappointed at REIV
Also... Andrew McCalman joins Besser+Co, Urban Real Estate opens Oran Park office, and Pulse Property acquires Strong Property.
Elite Agent Editor
December 21st, 2025
Lauren Brewer, Andrew McCalman, Candice Hill, Jacob Caine
As we near the Christmas break, this marks that final edition of Movers and Shakers for the year.
It’s been a huge 12 months across the industry, and we are offically naming the top 5 biggest stories of 2025 as voted by the readers.
There’s also more industry news, with REIV reappointing Jacob Caine as President for another term.
Harcourts Prestige North in Leederville is taking flight led by Anna-Marie Thornton and Rae O'Neill.
Industry legend, Robin McIlwain is retiring after five decades shaping Brisbane real estate
All that and more in this week’s edition of Movers + Shakers!
Counting Down 2025’s Top 10 Big Moves
This week and next, we’re counting down the Top 10 Big Moves from 2025. Today, we’re shining a light on stories 5 down to 1 as voted most popular by you, based on the number of pageviews for the week of publication, according to Google Analytics data.
 Andy Florance, CoStar Group Founder & CEO (09May) | #5 - Domain set for $3 Billion takeover by US real estate giant CoStar.Australian property listings platform Domain is set to be acquired by U.S. real estate heavyweight CoStar Group in a landmark deal valuing the company at approximately $3 billion AUD. |
#4 - Major ownership shift at Ray White Gold Coast.Andrew Bell has sold his Surfers Paradise, Benowa and Main Beach offices to three new ownership groups in what's being called a "generational reset" after 36 years. |  Andrew Bell. Photo: Ray White (27March) |
 Randall Kemp. Image Supplied (02June) | #3 - BresicWhitney secures major Eastern Suburbs expansion with TWG acquisition.BresicWhitney has acquired leading Eastern Suburbs agency The Woollahra Group, with founder Randall Kemp joining as a shareholder. |
#2 - BizCover named among Australia's best managed companies.The InsureTech business was recognised by Deloitte as one of six top-performing private Australian businesses, highlighting the company’s exceptional performance. |  L-R Bjorn Meier, COO; Dino Tius, CIO; Brad Miller, GM; Sharon Kenny, Head of Marketing; Michael Gottlieb, CEO; Grant Williams, Head of Intermediated Business; Ricky Prasad Image: Supplied (28March) |
 Harcourts new ownership team. Photo: Supplied (21May) | #1 - Harcourts International makes a big leadership change.Paul Wright steps down after 40 years as co-owner and director, with Mike Green and family extending their ownership stake alongside new shareholders including Adrian Knowles, Bryan Thomson, and Jo Clifford. |
Appointments, acquisitions and altruistic achievements
This week, we put the spotlight on some exciting new leadership roles, strategic business expansions, and agents making a difference through charitable partnerships. We've rounded them up for you here…
Carey Smith, Brian White and Dan White. Photo; Supplied
Carey Smith appointed Joint Chairman of Ray White.
After 35 years with the group and transforming the New Zealand network into a market leader, he joins Brian White in the top leadership position.
Andrew McCalman and Dion Besser. Photo: Supplied
Andrew McCalman joins Besser+Co as Sales Manager.
The Melbourne agent with nearly two decades of experience will help expand the agency's sales footprint while mentoring agents at all career stages.
Kristy Smith, Josh Davoren and Lauren Brewer. Photo: Supplied
REMAX Australia adds two key team members.
Kristy Smith joins as Professional Development Manager, and Lauren Brewer as Marketing and Innovations Manager, to strengthen network support.
Chris Hill, Candice Hill, Matt Ketteringham and Dan O-Loughlin. Photo: Supplied
Barry Plant Warragul-Drouin acquires major competitor.
The expansion adds a significant rent roll and 12 staff members, taking their total property management portfolio to approximately 2300 properties across their businesses.
Pulse Strong Property Team. Photo: Supplied
Pulse Property acquires Strong Property - Gymea.
The strategic acquisition brings three experienced professionals to Pulse's team, reinforcing their award-winning property management division across the Sutherland Shire.
Robin with her husband Russ Cornish. Photo: Supplied
Robin McIlwain retires after 47-year real estate career.
The Ray White Toowong icon leaves behind a legacy of innovation in apartment design, agent education, and industry reform across Queensland.
Anna-Marie Thornton and Rae O’Neill with Shane Kempton. Photo: Supplied
Harcourts Prestige expands with new northern office.
Anna-Marie Thornton and Rae O'Neill will co-direct Harcourts Prestige North in Leederville and Mount Hawthorn, opening this December.
David Highland hosted an exclusive VIP Christmas event. Photo: Supplied
Highland celebrates record-breaking year with VIP event.
The property group marked their most successful month in their 18-year history at the close of November, showcasing their impressive growth trajectory.
Victor Paz and Kristy Clymo. Photo: Supplied
Harcourts team partners with Destiny Rescue.
Victor Paz, Kristy Clymo, and their Property Specialists have already helped rescue 16 children from human trafficking this year through the partnership.
Urban Real Estate Oran Park team. Image: supplied
Urban Real Estate opens new Oran Park office.
The group's 17th location strengthens its footprint across Sydney’s major growth corridors, with the new branch set to service the booming Camden and Macarthur regions.
The Harcourts Solutions team. Photo: Supplied
Harcourts Solutions smashes Orange Sky fundraising goal.
The team raised $22,529.91 to support mobile laundry services for those experiencing homelessness, far exceeding their initial $20,000 target.
Also… |
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REIV reappoints Jacob Caine as President. Adrian Butera joins as Vice President as the institute prepares for Victoria's 2026 state election year and significant industry changes. More here. |
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