People Roundup: REW, ImmoScout24 and REA India

This week's roundup of real estate marketplace comings and goings features executives on the move in Canada, Germany and India...

Simon Bray Steps Down as President of REW

After five years at the helm, Simon Bray has announced his departure as President of the Canadian portal Real Estate Wire (REW). During his tenure, Bray guided the company through significant industry shifts, including the pandemic's onset in 2020, a booming market in 2021, a downturn in 2022, and subsequent stabilization and growth.

Bray will be moving to Berlin to lead the real estate division of the Adevinta-owned horizontal marketplace Kleinanzeigen which, along with AVIV-owned  Immowelt, competes against the market leading German real estate vertical ImmoScout24.

Reflecting on his time at REW in a LinkedIn post, Bray expressed gratitude towards his team, stating, "The team behind me and the others across the world (our Crew), are some of the most passionate, talented and wonderful people you could ever hope to meet, let alone lead." He also acknowledged the company's resilience and achievements during fluctuating market conditions.​

Bray's leadership saw REW expand its services, notably introducing rental property listings and the innovative RealTours video series showcasing local agents . Below, Simon Bray and Justin Melville explain RealTours to the PropTech & portal Watch audience.

Prior to joining REW, Bray held executive roles in global real estate technology firms, including CEO Marketplaces at LIFULL Connect and CEO of South Africa-based Private Property.

Daniel Hendel promoted to MD of ImmoScout24

Germany-based real estate marketplace ImmoScout24 has promoted Daniel Hendel to managing director, effective April 1. He will work alongside Dr. Gesa Crockford, who has held the role since 2022.

Hendel replaces Ralf Weitz, who is stepping into the CEO position at parent company Scout24 SE.

A long-time Scout24 executive, Hendel has been with the company since 2009, holding various roles across ImmoScout24 and AutoScout24 in consumer products, data monetization, and business development. Most recently, as vice president of product management, he led the expansion of ImmoScout24’s private membership products.

In his new role, he will oversee the portal’s private customer business, managing products aimed at property seekers and owners.

“Together with our first-class team, we will continue to develop innovative solutions that give our customers a decisive advantage in the real estate market, both in their search for their dream property and in managing their own properties,” he said.

Weitz credited Hendel with driving product innovation in recent years, saying, “He will make a decisive contribution to making all real estate-related processes even more digital and efficient and, together with Gesa, will lead ImmoScout24 into the next phase of growth.”

Dhruv Agarwala steps down as CEO of REA India

The CEO of REA India, Dhruv Agarwala, has announced his decision to step down after 14 years leading the business.

Agarwala co-founded the brokerage and advisory services platform PropTiger.com in 2011 and later spearheaded the acquisitions of Makaan.com and Housing.com, building them into key players in the Indian property market. Today, REA India operates in 28 cities, employs over 1,700 people, serves millions of users nationwide and is widely considered to have become the market leader in terms of traffic.

 Below: Dhruv Agarwala talks to the PPW Pod about how REA India managed to grow traffic

A major milestone came in 2020, when News Corp and REA Group acquired a controlling interest in the business, accelerating its growth. The outgoing CEO credited his co-founders, early investors, and global backers for their role in shaping the company’s success. He also thanked REA India’s team, calling them “the ones who make the mission real, every day—with passion, resilience, and ambition.”

Looking ahead, Agarwala plans to take a short break before exploring new opportunities in technology, healthcare, and impact-driven ventures.