Jay Papasan closes a 26-year chapter, plus a homecoming in South Gippsland

In this week’s edition of Movers +Shakers…

Jay Papasan steps down from Keller Williams

Perhaps best known globally as the co-author of the bestselling book The ONE Thing, Jay Papasan is closing a massive 26-year chapter. When he joined Keller Williams in September 2000, the company had 27 employees and fewer than 7,000 associates. By his final day on August 1, it had grown into what he describes as the world's largest real estate franchise by agent count – with Papasan having shaped its research, publishing and coaching arms along the way More here

The strategic shape-shifter – why Laura Langford embraces the 'curly' deals

Laura Langford didn't set out to specialise in receivership sales or offshore buyer campaigns – she followed the energy, moving from Brisbane residential into Gold Coast commercial dealmaking with Chinese and Malaysian investors, then back into residential when that's where the momentum sat. That instinct now shapes her work across Republik Property and Ras360. More here

Brent Harriage and Janine Pepyat open First National Prom Country

Meeniyan's newest independent agency brings two locals full circle. Brent Harriage, with a quarter-century in South Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley, and Janine Pepyat, 14 years deep in residential and commercial property, have put their names to First National Prom Country – with Brent back where his First National story started, in Mirboo North. More here

Sam Thompson joins Ray White Northern Beaches

As a lifelong local, Sam Thompson has spent years building his name around Bayview and Church Point before this move. Now at Ray White Northern Beaches' Mona Vale office, he's pairing that neighbourhood knowledge with a much larger network's reach. Managing director Charles Caravousanos put it simply: "Sam's local knowledge combined with the resources of the Ray White Group means Bayview and Church Point sellers now have access to a level of service that wasn't available to them before." More here

LATEST ROLES

BresicWhitney named Sydney Contemporary's first real estate partner

Ten years of Sydney Contemporary, and BresicWhitney's tie to it now has a formal title. Will Gosse, the group's CEO, says the connection is about being part of the city's culture rather than watching from the sidelines. Fair director Zoe Paulsen welcomed the new arrangement, noting art and real estate share the same goal. "Both are ultimately about creating a sense of place, connection, and identity," Zoe said. More here

Ellis Schofield marks a year building his own brand at Area Specialist

One year in, Ellis Schofield says the freedom to run things his own way has paid off in ways he didn't expect – faster decisions, systems built around his clients, and a business that finally looks like his team rather than someone else's playbook. "Just having that flexibility has made a massive difference on our lives," Ellis said. More here

Sam Lawley, Jeroen van de Peppel join Ray White leadership team

Perth's newest GM didn't need much convincing – Sam Lawley calls the Dalkeith Claremont opportunity a rare one, packing up from Adelaide after meeting a leadership team he says shares his values on people and performance. Jeroen van de Peppel, meanwhile, swaps supporting the industry from the sidelines for working inside it, bringing 17 years' experience including negotiating Subiaco Oval's naming rights during his Domain years. More here

Adam Alexander joins The Agency on Mornington Peninsula

Quarter of a century on the Mornington Peninsula has taught Adam Alexander a thing or two about calm negotiation and reading a room, skills that have earned him a string of sales and auctioneering awards along the way. Now at The Agency, he's keen on building out the local team, with wife Hollie already on board and immersed in the community. More here

And finally…