REA Group People Update: New Sales Director, Former CEO Retires

REA Group has announced that Nathan Gallagher will be the company's national sales director.

Gallagher will replace Ben Auchettl, who moves becomes general manager for REA Group's customer excellence function.

In an interview with Australian publication EliteAgent, Gallagher confirmed the move saying:

"I’ve spent the past five years building a passionate and dedicated sales team in NSW and the ACT, and I’m really looking forward to expanding my horizons across the country in the national role.

"I believe in fostering meaningful relationships with customers to help them succeed, so connecting with as many customers as possible in the coming months will be a big focus for me."

Auchettl said:

"I’m really excited to be taking on a broader, cross-market role, with a more internal focus.

"The customer excellence function was established around two-and-a-half years ago and listening and understanding the needs of customers is at the heart of our strategy.

"Coming from more than a decade of working closely with our customers, I’m hoping I can add a lot of value to the function."

Well-known industry figure Fellows retires

Meanwhile, former REA Group CEO and industry legend Tracey Fellows has announced her shock retirement.

Fellows is considered one of the driving forces of REA Group's success during her tenure as CEO from 2014-2019, after which she moved to New York to take on the role of President Global Digital Real Estate for News Corp.

Fellows' reputation grew after she drove the rapid expansion of the digital real estate business in Australia and Asia, as well as leading the company’s investments in India and North America. She oversaw online assets such as realestate.com.au, the US site realtor.com and India’s housing.com.

According to EliteAgent, Fellows retired for "personal reasons" with News Corp CEO Robert Thompson assuming her responsibilities.

Thompson said:

"Tracey is an inspiring leader who is able to bring out the best in teams and in individuals.

"The need for someone to [connect the US and Australian markets] in the same way isn’t quite there, and that’s a mark of her success and her contribution commercially and culturally."

EliteAgent also said Ms Fellows is expected to return to Australia to focus on her board priorities: she is a non-executive director at REA Group, and also sits on the board of Swedish firm Hemnet.