- Former REIWA President Hayden Groves will succeed Adrian Kelly as REIA President, supported by Deputy President Leanne Pilkington
- "People of Australian real estate must be at the heart of REIA's strategy", said Mr Groves
- Congratulated Mr Kelly on a successful and innovative term and welcomed new board members
The Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) has elected former REIWA President, Hayden Groves, as the Institute’s national President.
Mr Groves will succeed Adrian Kelly as REIA President, who served from 2018 to 2021, and be supported by new Deputy President Leanne Pilkington.
Former REIWA President and esteemed agent
Mr Groves has an impressive real estate resume, as the owner and operator of Fremantle-based real estate agency, dethridgeGROVES.
Mr Groves assumed ownership of the agency in 2004, which was named John Dethridge & Co. at the time, after he spent 6 years working at the company as a sales consultant.
He then served on the REIWA council from 2010, being elected to President in 2015 and stepping down from the position in 2018.
Mr Groves has also served as on the REIA board as Deputy President since 2015.
REIWA CEO Neville Pozzi expressed his delight to see the national Institute’s Presidency taken on by a leading Western Australian real estate professional.
“It is wonderful to see a West Australian, especially one as highly respected as Hayden, at the helm of the national Institute’s Presidency,” Mr Pozzi said.
Brings agent-focused strategy to REIA
Mr Groves expressed his gratitude for his election to the role and supplied a brief overview of the strategy he will bring to REIA as President.
“As someone with a long-standing commitment to furthering best practice and professionalism of real estate agents and agencies through the work of Real Estate Institutes, I am honoured to be appointed as president of the Real Estate Institute of Australia,” he said.
Mr Groves emphasised his attentiveness towards implementing a REIA strategy that recognises the importance of all Australian property brokers.
“The people of Australian real estate must be at the heart of REIA’s strategy as trusted brokers of property transactions,” he said.
“Your local real estate agent deeply cares about their communities, values their own reputation and integrity and plays a vital role in securing the financial future of Australians.”
Hayden Groves, REIA President
He also acknowledged the vital role agents play in assisting the nation to emerge from the pandemic.
“Successful agents rely on their community and customer connections to build their businesses and expand their professional standing across society.
“This will be all the more important as real estate markets respond to the next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Mr Groves.
Congratulated former President Adrian Kelly
Mr Groves expressed his anticipation towards working with the REIA board, members and partners, in addition to welcoming new REIA office bearers.
“I look forward to working closely with all state and territory institutes, their members, the Federal Government, Opposition, other allied stakeholders and of course the REIA team in driving REIA into its next phase.
“I am delighted to announce joining the REIA board leadership team is Deputy President Leanne Pilkington, Chief Executive Officer of Laing+Simmons and Chair of the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee Richard Simpson, a partner at W. B. Simpson & Son,” he said.
Mr Groves congratulated his predecessor Mr Kelly on achieving significant change throughout his term as President.
“I am deeply grateful for the contributions of Adrian over the past three years. Few leaders of our industry have had the challenges Adrian has faced during his tenure as president.”
Hayden Groves, REIA President
Mr Kelly will remain on the REIA board, and was recognised for his contributions at the REIA AGM where he received the highest honour of a Diploma of Fellow.
Current REIWA President Damian Collins has also joined the REIA board.
