People Roundup: Zillow, Idealista, Trade Me

Here's what we've spotted in this week's personnel merry-go-round...

North America: Zillow reshuffle means CFO takes on COO role after layoffs

Zillow's CFO Jeremy Hofmann's role will now include COO duties after an executive reshuffle. The announcement comes in the same week as Zillow announced over 500 layoffs.

Jun Choo, who has served as chief operating officer since November 2024, is stepping down and will serve in an advisory capacity through the end of 2026.

Jeremy Wacksman, CEO at Zillow, said:

"Jeremy is an exceptional financial and operational leader and a critical strategic partner to the entire executive team and me. His deep understanding of our business, combined with the strength of the finance leadership team he has cultivated, gives us great confidence that this expanded role will accelerate our ability to execute and scale.”

Meanwhile, Cassandra Knight becomes Zillow's first chief legal and policy officer amid ongoing legal issues and regulatory changes. Knight joins from Google, with over 20 years of leadership and litigation across technology and finance.

Wacksman added:

"Empowering movers with a seamless, integrated experience requires us to operate in ways that build and enhance consumer trust. Sandi’s exceptional legal career, her deep compliance expertise, and her experience leading through transformational moments make her the right person for Zillow. We’re thrilled to welcome her to the team in this newly created role.”

Two other senior vice presidents have also been promoted. Katie Berroth becomes SVP of strategy and operations, while Eric Wilson becomes SVP for mortgages, including Zillow Home Loans.

Europe: Idealista appoints former Leboncoin executive as new MD for France

Idealista has named Aurélien Flament as managing director for France.

Flament is a well-known figure in the French digital real estate ecosystem. He spent fourteen years at Leboncoin Immobilier, one of the leading marketplace platforms in France. He will be responsible for managing the existing portfolio of French clients and developing new business opportunities in France.

Idealista does not officially operate in France—it is a market leader in Spain and Portugal, and a would-be market leader in Italy—but it does have many French clients given the countries' shared borders.

Jesús Encinar, co-founder and CEO at Idealista, said:

“Idealista already works with many French clients, particularly in the regions bordering Spain and Italy. Aurélien is joining us to support and develop this portfolio whilst exploring new opportunities in France … He is the best person to support our existing clients and shape the next stages of our development in France.”

Oceania: Former Hemnet executive joins Trade Me in New Zealand

Trade Me has appointed Emil Adeli as its new Head of Commercial. Adeli joins from Hemnet in Sweden, where he was a Business Development Manager.

Commenting on LinkedIn, Adeli said:

"Trade Me is New Zealand’s leading marketplace and I’m thrilled to start working on all things commercial across the property vertical. As I start this next chapter, I want to say a huge thank you to my colleagues at Hemnet. It’s been a privilege—look forward to seeing you all again. Thank you to the team at Trade Me for such a warm welcome. Excited for the year ahead."