What most consider the most prestigious award for the evening is the top sales consultant in Australia. And the winner of this award was Coorparoo veteran of 30 years in the industry form the Harcourts Coorparoo office, Jim Ryan. Jim topped his previous efforts this year when he was recognised as Number 1 not only in Australia but also Number 1 Internationally for the group from over 4,000 fellow professionals.

Jim Ryan

Born and raised in the Queensland country town of Tara before moving to Brisbane in 1965, this “bloke from the bush” now has an enviable string of state, national and international awards of which to boast. At the Harcourts Annual Awards for the last three years, Jim was acknowledged as the Number 1 Salesperson for Queensland and Australia i.e. 2007-2008, 2008-2009, and 2009-2010.

This latest award just adds to Jim’s long list of achievements, but the real highlight this year was achieving the premier international recognition.

About winning these awards, Jim said he felt very honoured to receive such recognition as he took to the stage at Conrad Jupiters, receiving a standing ovation. “High quality and honest service is our objective every day and I feel like I have reached a massive milestone in my real estate career.  I am very grateful to all of those people who have engaged me over the years and feel very satisfied with all the work myself and my team have done to get to this point.”

Entry into the US market is Harcourts’ biggest ever undertaking, with joint venture partner Altera  having 23 offices and 700 salespeople in total – 21 offices in California, one in Oregon and one in Hawaii.

From left, Harcourts International Chairman Paul Wright with Dennis Badagliacco and Gary Thomas from Altera Real Estate and Harcourts International Managing Director Mike Green.

Starting out in New Zealand in 1888, Harcourts is a long-standing brand that has gone from strength-to-strength in the industry, entering its first foreign market in 1997 (Australia) with eight additional countries, including the USA, since then.

Mr Green said in just over a decade Harcourts has established itself as one of the top three real estate groups in Australia and expanded into South Africa, China, Indonesia, Zambia, Botswana and Hong Kong in the last two years alone.

“As a 50% shareholder in the US joint venture Harcourts will have a heavy focus on the American market throughout 2010, as long-term plans are put in place for further expansion in the country,” Mr Green said.

“The United States’ property market is just beginning to show signs of improvement and we believe the timing for this step is perfect. The market opportunity is huge, with a population of nearly 310 million,” he said.

“By entering into the US market Harcourts is placed firmly on the world stage, and we hope to further our business activities over the next few years throughout America.”

Altera Real Estate, which was founded by American real estate industry veterans Gary Thomas, Dennis and Colleen Badagliacco in 2008, is looking forward to the growth opportunities off the back of this partnership.

Harcourts International Managing Director, Mike Green (centre) signs the agreement with US partner, Altera

Mr Thomas, Chairman of the new joint venture company, said he has known the principals of Harcourts for more than 15 years and been intrigued with the group’s culture and systems.

“I felt it was a perfect fit for Altera to enter into this joint venture with Harcourts in order to bring a refreshing culture and platform to our network and the ability for rapid growth,” he said.

“Our initial focus will be on the integration of the Harcourts systems and culture across all the existing Altera offices. Once we have achieved this, we will then look at expanding to other states.

“With the training and technology platform Harcourts has to offer, along with our values-based, performance-driven culture, we believe there is huge opportunity for this new Harcourts joint venture company to grow rapidly as the general economic situation in the US improves.”

Mr Wright, who is one of two shareholders in Harcourts International, has been instrumental in the growth of the Harcourts group, which now includes more than 630 offices and over 4000 sales consultants in nine countries, with plans in place to be in 25 countries by 2014.

The newest member of the Harcourts Hall of Fame, Paul Wright, with members of his family from left, daughter Sally, Mother Peg, wife Jill and daughters Claire and Jacqui.

One of only a few honoured with membership of the Harcourts Hall of Fame, Mr Wright has progressed from sales consultant to senior management and ownership during his lengthy career with the growing real estate group and was described in a speech at the recent Harcourts New Zealand and Australia conferences as “one of the single most important people in Harcourts’ journey to date”.

“Paul rarely takes the limelight but couldn’t deserve it more. His knowledge of Harcourts is exhaustive and his contribution to the group has been immense,” Head of Real Estate Operations for Harcourts Australasia Bryan Thomson said in an introductory speech. 

“He is an exceptional individual who can be relied upon to build relationships and achieve successful outcomes, a great thinker and also a person who gets things done, someone who has earned immense respect throughout our organisation and industry and who is an individual who cares deeply about Harcourts and the people around him.”

As Mr Thomson explained, Mr Wright, who was born in Dunedin but bred in Christchurch, studied then worked as a surveyor before commencing his real estate career around 30 years ago as a Sales Consultant with Collins Real Estate in Christchurch.

He stayed with the company as it joined forces with Wellington-based Harcourts & Co to form Harcourts Real Estate Ltd, progressing on to branch management before becoming Christchurch Regional Manager and playing a key role during challenging and exciting times in which Harcourts’ ownership changed, the franchise model was introduced and considerable growth in the Harcourts group in New Zealand was achieved.

In May 1992 Mr Wright was involved in the management buy-out of Harcourts from its then owners, Tower Corporation, and became General Manager of the company, which at the time had approximately 90 offices in New Zealand.

“Later becoming one of two shareholders in parent company Harcourts International and taking on the role of Executive Director, in recent years Paul has played a key role in negotiating international partnerships and acquisitions and has had overall responsibility for Harcourts-Value-Added Services – Mortgage Express and Insurance Express in New Zealand and Harcourts Financial Services and Strand Conveyancing in Australia,” Mr Thomson said.

“He’s not in the limelight much … but make no mistake, Paul Wright has been a key force in the success of Harcourts and when he moves into the role of Board Chairman in a few months he will continue to be so.”

Commenting on his honour, Mr Wright said he had thoroughly enjoyed his many years and roles with Harcourts and was humbled to be joining the small group of esteemed individuals in the Harcourts Hall of Fame.

Thanking his family for their support and the Harcourts team, which he described as his “extended family”, Mr Wright said being inducted into the Harcourts Hall of Fame was a very special and significant moment in his life.

“Being inducted into the Harcourts Hall of Fame is one of the proudest moments of my business career,” he said.

Harcourts International Managing Director Mike Green speaking at Harcourts 2010 Conference

The growing Harcourts real estate group has achieved two exciting milestones – surpassing $20 billion in written sales in the past financial year and entering into a new joint venture that will see the launch of Harcourts in the United States of America, Harcourts International Managing Director Mike Green has announced.

In his opening address of the annual Harcourts conferences in New Zealand and Australia, Mr Green announced the Harcourts group, which now includes more than 630 offices in nine countries along with over 4000 sales consultants and a growing property management team, had completed sales totalling $20.4 billion in the year ended 31 March 2010.

He also announced the next major international step for Harcourts – a joint venture with a 23 office, 700 sales person Californian-based real estate group.

“The United States’ property market is just beginning to show signs of improvement and we believe the timing for this step is perfect,” he said.

“With the training and technology platform Harcourts has to offer along with our values-based, performance-driven culture we believe there is huge opportunity for this new Harcourts joint venture company to grow rapidly as the general economic situation in the US improves.”

Mr Green reported Harcourts had seen strong growth across the board in the last year.

“In Australia we achieved considerable success, for example increasing sales in New South Wales by 73 per cent, achieving a 52 per cent increase in Western Australia, a 47 per cent lift in Tasmania, which has taken us to the number one position there, and 49 per cent growth in Victoria, with our 50^th office opening in June.

“We also strengthened our position in New Zealand, where we are already the country’s largest real estate, increasing our national market share to a record level,” he said.

“Over the year Harcourts South Africa grew to more than 140 offices, making it the third largest group in that market in terms of both size and market share. We also achieved solid growth last year in both Indonesia and China, with expansion in the latter including the establishment of the first Harcourts office in Hong Kong.”

In his address Mr Green also alluded to further exciting international expansion activities.

“Once final contracts have been signed I will be able to announce the details of some additional major offshore ventures,” he said.

Bryan Thomson, new Head of Real Estate Operations for Harcourts Australasia

Mr Thomson will now be responsible for the operation, growth and success of Harcourts in New Zealand, Australia and Fiji, Mr Green says, an appointment that will enable other members of the Harcourts International leadership team to increase their focus on achieving the goal of growing Harcourts’ global presence from nine countries now to 25 countries by 2014.  

“Working directly with the New Zealand and Australian state CEOs along with the CEO of our new commercial joint venture company NAI Harcourts, Bryan’s objective is to ensure Harcourts continues to increase its dominance in New Zealand, which is where Harcourts was established in 1888, and also grows both market coverage and market share across Australia and in Fiji,” Mr Green says.

“While Harcourts is already the largest real estate group in New Zealand and the fasting growing in Australia, it is critical that Harcourts’ Australasian operation has the focus, resource and leadership to achieve even greater success in these important markets and Bryan will ensure this happens.

“He is an outstanding real estate professional who is highly regarded and well respected throughout Harcourts and the entire real estate industry and I have no doubt he has the skills, commitment and passion required to lead Harcourts to be number one across Australasia.”

As Mr Green explains, the establishment of a Head of Real Estate Operations for Harcourts Australasia is a significant and important step for the Harcourts group. It follows a decision by Harcourts International Executive Director and Co-owner Paul Wright to move into the role of Harcourts International Board Chairman after 25 years of hands-on involvement in the growth of Harcourts’ franchise model domestically and internationally.

“With Paul’s move we have taken the opportunity to review the Harcourts International leadership team to ensure that we have a structure in place that supports our strategic plan to achieve continued growth in New Zealand and Australia as well growth in other existing and also new international markets.

“Harcourts’ franchise model has already been successfully established in New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, Indonesia, Singapore, South Africa, Zambia, Botswana and China, including Hong Kong, however our plan is to have 2,500 Harcourts offices in 25 countries by 2014.

“Under the new structure, Harcourts International General Manager Gilbert Enoka, Harcourts International Chief Financial Officer Marc Taintey and myself will continue to focus on the operation of the entire group, working with Bryan on Australasia, Harcourts International’s Head of International Growth Aaron Hodson on our global expansion and our Heads of Departments to ensure that we continue to develop and deliver the very best real estate system and resources anywhere in this industry.”

ENDS

About Harcourts: Harcourts is an international real estate company selling, leasing and renting residential, rural and commercial real estate in addition to offering property management, financial and insurance services in some countries. Established in Wellington, New Zealand in 1888 the Harcourts group now has 600 offices in nine countries and is the exclusive South Pacific member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World™, a global network of over 600 premier real estate firms with 5,000 offices and 150,000 sales associates in 35 countries. The strength of the Harcourts brand, its superior business and information systems, proven marketing tools and strategies and the group’s talented and committed team have all contributed to the ongoing success of Harcourts.

About Bryan Thomson: Mr Thomson is a long-term member of the Harcourts team who has gained considerable experience and achieved a high degree of success in the real estate industry. Starting out as a rural real estate sales consultant in the South Island his career has also included roles in franchise development, training and business consultancy. A former national award-winning auctioneer, within Harcourts Bryan has excelled as National Auction Manager, South Island Regional Manager and most recently as CEO of Harcourts New Zealand.  In his new role he will remain based in Auckland.

Harcourts Serpong Raya rebranded office in Indonesia

Head of International, Aaron Hodson said Harcourts has been making waves across the globe, with two countries involved in major rebranding activities and currently in discussions with another potential partner.

“Harcourts has just finished rebranding a staggering 120 offices across South Africa, which has taken us just over 12 months to do.

“Harcourts’ South African head office in conjunction with our department is continuing to work on growth within the country, with plans to achieve another 15 offices in the country by the end of 2010,” Mr Hodson said.

“In addition, Harcourts has been focusing heavily this year on rebranding existing offices and further growth in Indonesia.”`

“We have rebranded 13 Roy Weston offices in the last year with the final office rebranded just last week by Harcourts Indonesia”, he said.

“Our focus over the next three to six months will be to work with each country’s corporate office to grow and develop these existing businesses.

“It’s exciting to see the speed with which Harcourts is expanding across the globe. I believe this can be attributed to Harcourts’ franchise business model.”

“Our master franchise model is a full service operation that provides ongoing support to all offices around the world.”

Throughout the coming months International Operations Manager, Tina Sander will conduct periodic visits to each country to ensure all offices are fully inducted to the Harcourts family, and are up to date with the latest systems.

LeadingRE President Pam O'Connor with Harcourts' David Martin

Harcourts Managing Director Mike Green and Head of Marketing and Communications David Martin went to the conference, where David was a guest speaker to the 850 delegates in attendance.

This year, Harcourts achieved third place in the Top Luxury Brokerage award, which is a fantastic achievement in an international forum.

David Martin said the award recognises the company that best exemplifies the overall luxury market presence, high price point expertise and outstanding marketing strategy in the real estate industry.

“We are proud to have been recognised by LeadingRE for our achievements, and look forward to the year ahead in order to further improve our marketing initiatives,” Mr Martin said.

In addition to this award, Harcourts picked up first place for the company’s stationery in terms of branding, and an honourable mention in the Luxury Marketing products category.

The conference featured an impressive line-up of nearly 150 industry and LeadingRE member speakers, who addressed a wide range of topics impacting the real estate industry.

Keynote presentations included Guy Kawasaki of Apple Computer fame; FHA Commissioner Dave Stevens; Ron Peltier of HomeServices of America; elite adventure racer and female firefighter Robin Benincasa; leadership coach Mike Staver; market strategist and speaker Steve Harney; and real estate technology coach Matthew Ferrara.

“The insights offered by our speakers at this conference were extraordinary,” notes Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® President/CEO Pam O’Connor.

“As the real estate industry continues to respond to market shifts and changes in client needs and preferences, the willingness of our members to share success strategies with one another continues to help distinguish our network and make these firms the leaders in the markets they serve,” Ms O’Connor said.

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As a member of LeadingRE, Harcourts International can assist individuals to relocate virtually any community in the US or abroad and can meet corporate relocation needs through the network’s sister relocation company, RELO Direct.

With more than 5,500 offices and 170,000 sales associates in the United States and 35 countries abroad, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World™ affiliates sell more than US$400 billion in home sales representing more than 1.3 million transactions annually, outselling any international franchise and leading the world in the sales of $1 million-plus homes.

Harcourts' David Martin collecting award at last years' conference

This year, the event’s slogan is “Leading the Revolution”. The real estate industry is changing at a rapid pace, and this conference will provide all attendees with the tools to achieve great success in 2010 and the years to come.

Mr Green is a LeadingRE board member and he also chairs the organisation’s International Advisory Board, comprised of non-U.S. members committed to expanding the value proposition of the company’s international membership programs.

While in the US, Mr Green will be attending several meetings regarding new opportunities for expansion for Harcourts.

“I will be talking with several parties in Los Angeles about Harcourts’ potential entry into the US real estate market.

“At this stage these opportunities are still emerging, so we don’t have one particular party we are in discussions with,” Mr Green said.

Already the largest real estate group in New Zealand and the fastest growing in Australia, Harcourts joined Leading Real Estate Companies of the World™ as the exclusive South Pacific member in 2003 in order to provide international marketing exposure for Harcourts’ clients’ property.

As a member of LeadingRE, Harcourts International can assist individuals to relocate virtually any community in the US or abroad and can meet corporate relocation needs through the network’s sister relocation company, RELO Direct.

With more than 5,500 offices and 170,000 sales associates in the United States and 35 countries abroad, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World™ affiliates sell more than US$400 billion in home sales representing more than 1.3 million transactions annually, outselling any international franchise and leading the world in the sales of $1 million-plus homes.

Harcourts has announced today a new joint venture with NAI Global that will significantly expand the commercial reach and services Harcourts can offer in Australia and New Zealand.

As the latest arm of the Harcourts global empire, NAI Harcourts will take its first steps in Australia and New Zealand this year.

NAI Global is the world’s leading managed commercial network of 5,000 commercial property professionals and 325 offices in 55 countries throughout the world.

A joint venture between Harcourts and NAI Global will introduce a strong global platform of commercial real estate brokerage services to support corporate end users, investors and financial institutions locally and around the world.

NAI Harcourts have now appointed commercial real estate industry veteran Christopher Nicholl as CEO for the new venture. Mr Nicholl recently spoke of the company’s plans in Las Vegas at NAI Global’s annual convention and at Harcourts’ annual Business Leaders Conference.

He comes to NAI Harcourts with more than 20 years’ experience in the commercial property industry. Prior to NAI Harcourts, he was based in Singapore as International Director and Regional Managing Director, Project and Development Services, Asia Pacific with Jones Lang LaSalle. Nicholl also previously served as Executive Director and Board member of Colliers Australia.

Harcourts Managing Director Mike Green said Harcourts is a global real estate franchise group that has more than 625 offices around the world.

“Expanding our presence in the commercial sector is a significant step for the Harcourts Group, and a necessary one to take the company’s growth to the next level,” Mr Green said.

“Over the past few years the market has grown to exceed $1 billion in revenue; yet at the same time we have seen very few new entrants, which offers NAI Harcourts a tremendous opportunity,” Mr Green said.

President and Chief Executive Officer of NAI Global Jeffrey Finn said, “NAI Global has been looking for ways to grow a presence in Australia and New Zealand, and Harcourts is the perfect partner for us to do so.

“The quality and strength of the Harcourts organisation in Australia and New Zealand, combined with NAI Global’s international commercial real estate platform creates a powerful platform for NAI Harcourts,” Mr Finn said.

“NAI Harcourts will give us a strong presence and powerful business generation engine in this important part of the world, connecting businesses and investors from around the globe to this escalating market,” Mr Finn said.

Harcourts has had a twenty five per cent increase in the number of offices supporting The Harcourts Foundation since November last year, with more than 120 Harcourts offices now signed up to the “donation per sale” scheme.

Managing Director Mike Green said it was the aim of The Harcourts Foundation to reach $500,000 by the end of Business Leaders Conference so all Harcourts team members could see the amazing progress made since its inception in mid 2008.

“We set up The Harcourts Foundation with the aim of providing financial support that helps, grows and enriches local communities, and it has only really taken just over 18 months for us to reach such the significant milestone of half a million dollars,” he said.

“These funds are raised by our dedicated Harcourts team members in Australia and New Zealand either from various fundraising events, auctions, workplace giving, individual donations or ‘off the top’ giving (calculated from each sale commission),” he said.

In the last quarter (October – December 2009), The Harcourts Foundation granted $50,000 to 11 charities from around Australia.

Among the grants given was a donation of nearly $12,000 to The Royal Children’s Hospital in Victoria and similarly, a grant of nearly $12,000 to Youngcare in Queensland.  Mr Green said he was extremely proud of the extent to which The Harcourts Foundation has been supported by Harcourts’ people and their clients throughout Australia and New Zealand since its beginning in 2008.

“We are now half way through the next round of grant applications, with the closing date being 31 March, 2010.

“I encourage all Australian charities to jump online and download the grant application form. We look forward to funding as many applicants as possible,” Mr Green said.

Be sure to look out for grant application deadlines:
•    1 January – 31 March
•    1 April – 30 June
•    1 July – 30 September
•    1 October – 31 December