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- 2025’s Top 10 biggest moves, Knight Frank’s new Private Office in Australia, McGrath expands in Cairns
2025’s Top 10 biggest moves, Knight Frank’s new Private Office in Australia, McGrath expands in Cairns
Also... Veteran agent Nick Thornton returns to Harcourts, The Real Estate Gym strengthens its coaching team, and The Agency gains luxury specialist Chervonne Papworth.
Elite Agent Editor
December 14th, 2025
Featuring in this week’s edition of Movers + Shakers: Donna Turnbull, Tom Panos, Chervonne Papworth, Phil Grant
We’re in the final stretch of 2025, with only 10 days left until Christmas.
There’s still plenty happening around the industry, and we have a very special edition of Movers + Shakers!
Knight Frank has launched a new Private Office in Australia, which will operate with the support of its partners in Australia and New Zealand, McGrath Estate Agents and Bayleys. Harcourts is welcoming back veteran agent Nick Thornton, who is opening a new office, Harcourts Chermside, in Queensland. McGrath Estate Agents has announced the opening of a new Cairns office led by principal Mark Turnbull, given the potential for growth in this important Far North Queensland market.
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 10 down to 6 as voted most popular by you, based on the number of pageviews for the week of publication, according to Google Analytics data.
February was a big month for some big announcements!
 Simon Cohen, CEO of Cohen Handler Photo: Supplied (20Feb) | #10 - Simon Cohen joins view.com.au as their property expert.The Luxe Listings Sydney star and Cohen Handler founder will provide property insights across Seven West Media platforms, reaching 17 million Australians monthly. |
#9 - REA Group CEO Owen Wilson announces retirement.After a decade with the company, including six years as CEO, he'll step down in the second half of 2025 while the board searches for his successor. |  REA Group CEO Owen Wilson. Photo: REA Group (06Feb) |
 Ray Ellis is the new CEO of CENTURY 21. Photo: CENTURY 21 (06Feb) | #8 - Ray Ellis takes the reins at CENTURY 21 Australia.The former REIA director steps into the CEO role to drive strategic growth alongside Chairman Charles Tarbey. |
#7 - Greg Ellis named Interim CEO at Domain.Domain has appointed former REA Group CEO Greg Ellis as interim chief executive for up to a year while it searches for a permanent successor to Jason Pellegrino. |  Greg Ellis steps into the Interim CEO role at Domain. Image: Start up daily (13Feb) |
 Christopher Czarnecki, incoming Keller Williams CEO and President. Photo: Supplied (04Mar) | #6 - Keller Williams appoints Christopher Czarnecki as CEO.Christopher has over 20 years of experience in real estate and comes on the back of the company, securing an investment from Stone Point Capital to drive long-term growth and innovation in agent support and technology. |
Acquisitions, appointments and ambitious expansions
This week, we put the spotlight on some major agency acquisitions, exciting new office openings, and industry leaders stepping into prominent roles across Australia. We've rounded them up for you here…
Chervonne Papworth. Photo: Supplied
Chervonne Papworth joins The Agency.
The Sydney prestige specialist brings decades of experience and over $3 billion in sales to her new role as property partner.
Ari Petrovs, Adam Ross, James Patterson and John McGrath. Photo: Supplied
Knight Frank launches Private Office in Australia.
Ari Petrovs has been appointed to head the new division serving ultra and high-net-worth individuals with bespoke property services across all sectors.
Nick and Julie Thornton. Photo: Supplied
Nick Thornton returns to Harcourts.
The veteran agent with nearly four decades of experience is launching a new office in Chermside after achieving over $575 million in settled sales throughout his career.
Daniel Roser, Ben van Dugteren, Taylor Foster, Mark Turnbull, Blake Rideout, Donna Turnbull. Photo: Supplied
McGrath expands with new Cairns office.
Mark Turnbull will lead the team in this growing Far North Queensland market where property values have risen 10% in the past year.
Angie Dunn, Phoebe Cook, Nicole Goldsmith with Tom Panos. Photo: Supplied
Real Estate Gym adds three new Performance Coaches.
Angie Dunn, Phoebe Cook, and Nicole Goldsmith join as the program expands internationally with a focus on emotionally intelligent coaching.
Ray White Angle Vale and Ray White Gawler East. Photo: Supplied
Phil Grant joins REIQ Committee.
The NAI Harcourts Pinnacle Director brings 20+ years of experience to the Commercial & Industrial Chapter for the 2026-2027 term.
Harcourts Pinnacle. Photo: Supplied
Harcourts Pinnacle supports Salvation Army Toy Drive.
The team has participated for the third consecutive year, purchasing gifts for children and families who might otherwise go without during the festive season.
Also… |
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REIQ appoints 16 Zone Chairs. Six new representatives will join the cohort for the 2026-27 term, starting their two-year appointments in January 2026. More here. |
Jason Watson launches Coronis Bribie Island. The agency director expands his footprint with his second office, starting with an experienced sales team and over 150 properties under management. More here. |
And finally…
Do you know of any upcoming moves we should know about? Tip us off by emailing [email protected].
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