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- Ben Ikin trades the NRL for proptech as SearchX's new CEO, McGrath opens in booming Wantirna, Harcourts signs 11 new franchises
Ben Ikin trades the NRL for proptech as SearchX's new CEO, McGrath opens in booming Wantirna, Harcourts signs 11 new franchises
Also... a 25-year independent agency joins a national network, a property management veteran takes a senior leadership role, and a psychology graduate steps into a new performance coaching role across two states...
Elite Agent Editor
June 21st, 2026
John and Sue Ward, Mae Chan, Andrew McCulloch and Tina Ashton, Nicky Talbot
The shortest day of the year is here, but the industry's energy shows no sign of slowing down. We have all the latest in this edition of Movers + Shakers!
Ben Ikin is swapping the football field for the boardroom, joining SearchX as CEO to lead national growth across the PropRT group, including SignedX, PropRT Conveyancing and WealthApp.
McGrath has opened its newest office in Wantirna, with co-principals Geraint and Nicole Gardner tapping into a market where homes sell 13 days faster than the Melbourne average.
Harcourts NSW/ACT has welcomed 11 new franchises in the first half of 2026 alone, putting the network on track to hit 20 new offices by year's end.
All that and more in this week's edition of Movers + Shakers!
This week’s big moves
Riley Neaton (Co-Founder), Ben Ikin (CEO), Timothy Neville (Co-Founder). Photo: supplied.
“The business has identified real problems within the property industry and created technology-driven solutions that are fast, practical and scalable”
Ben Ikin appointed CEO of SearchX
The former Queensland Rugby League CEO and Brisbane Broncos Head of Football will lead the next phase of growth for SearchX and its PropRT group of businesses, including SignedX, PropRT Conveyancing and WealthApp. More here.
New ventures, fresh leadership and community milestones
This week, we put the spotlight on independent agents making the leap to national networks, experienced professionals stepping into new leadership roles, and a milestone year for one network's community giving. We've rounded them up for you here…
Harcourts NSW/ACT CEO Andrew McCulloch and Chief Growth Officer Tina Ashton. Photo: supplied
Harcourts NSW/ACT accepts 11 new franchises in first half of 2026
The network is on track to hit its target of 20 new offices by year-end, with Chief Growth Officer Tina Ashton driving much of the expansion. More here.
McGrath Estate Agents Wantirna. Photo: Supplied
McGrath opens in Wantirna as Melbourne's east outperforms
Co-principals Geraint and Nicole Gardner launch the new office in a market where homes are selling 13 days faster than the Melbourne average. More here.
James Aubert, Harcourts SA and VIC Performance Coach. Photo: Supplied.
Harcourts appoints James Aubert as Performance Coach across SA and VIC
James brings real estate experience and a Bachelor of Psychological Science to the role, supporting agent development across both states. More here.
Ray White Upper North Shore's Mae Chan. Image: Supplied
Mae Chan joins Ray White Upper North Shore
The Sydney Upper North Shore specialist brings more than a decade of hyper-local experience to the agency. More here.
Nicky Talbot, Harcourts Inner East Head of Property Management. Photo: Supplied.
Nicky Talbot appointed Head of Property Management at Harcourts Inner East
Nicky brings nearly 30 years of industry experience to lead one of the largest property management teams in the Harcourts network. More here.
Team Woodards raised enough this year to fully fit out two Vinnies soup vans. Image: Supplied
Woodards surpasses $1 million milestone in CEO Sleepout fundraising
The network's tenth year of participation funded two soup vans this year alone, with Executive Chairman John Piccolo receiving a Decade of Impact Award. More here.
John and Sue Ward of Harcourts Ward. Photo: Supplied.
John and Sue Ward launch Harcourts Ward on Brisbane's Northside
The husband-and-wife duo have transitioned their boutique independent agency into the Harcourts network after more than 25 years in the industry. 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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