People Roundup: REA Group, PropertyGuru Group, LankaPropertyWeb

This week's People Roundup starts with a c-suite appointment at REA Group...

Oceania: REA Group hires new CFO

REA Group, backed by News Corp, has named Andrew Cramer as its new CFO, moving from the same role at News Corp.

Cramer will officially begin in his role in February 2026, replacing the outgoing Janelle Hopkins, who will retire after seven years in the role.

Cramer's move is both a step up and a step sideways: REA Group is a subsidiary of News Corp, which holds a majority stake in the Australian portal giant, yet his current role is that of deputy CFO at News Corp.

Cameron McIntyre, recently appointed CEO at REA Group, said:

Andrew brings extensive global experience, strong financial expertise, and a strategic perspective that will be invaluable as we continue to grow and deliver for our customers, shareholders, and team. On behalf of REA, I thank Janelle [Hopkins] for her achievements and outstanding leadership. Even in my short time at REA, it is clear to me the significant impact Janelle has made on the business."

Asia: ProperryGuru appoints MD for Malaysia

PropertyGuru Group has named Vic Sithasanan as Managing Director for Malaysia, effective immediately, replacing the outgoing Kenneth Soh after 18 months in the role.

Sithasanan will oversee the Group's growth strategy in Malaysia, reporting directly to Group CEO Lewis Ng. He was previously Managing Director for SEEK in Singapore and Malaysia, where he oversaw significant business growth and led major digital and commercial transformations.

Commenting on the appointment, Sithasanan said:

“Malaysia’s property landscape is evolving rapidly, and I’m excited to lead PropertyGuru and iProperty into this next chapter of growth. We will continue to innovate, enhance transparency, and build greater trust across the ecosystem, empowering Malaysians to make confident property decisions while helping our partners grow in a more digital and connected market.”

LankaPropertyWeb hires new COO

LankaPropertyWeb, the leading real estate marketplace in Sri Lanka, has appointed Tharindu Jayaratne as the Chief Operating Officer, having previously served the business as its head of data and research.

Jayarathne will oversee operations and lead strategic initiatives across LankaPropertyWeb's business divisions, including real estate technology, market intelligence, media, education, and the Realtors’ Hub.

Jayarathne has over two decades of leadership experience across strategic management, corporate finance, development consultancy, research, risk management, and auditing.

Commenting on his appointment, Jayarathne said:

"LankaPropertyWeb has established itself as a trusted leader in Sri Lanka’s property landscape by combining technology, data, and market expertise. I look forward to advancing our vision of building a more transparent, efficient, and globally connected real estate ecosystem."

Daham Gunaratna, managing director at LankaPropertyWeb, said:

“We are thrilled to welcome Tharindu back to the company upon the completion of his doctoral studies. In his new role, he will leverage his strategic mindset, financial leadership, and deep expertise in local and overseas real estate markets. These skills will be instrumental in driving our ambitious growth plans, ensuring sustainable success and enhanced value for our users and partners.”