The Real Estate Institute of Western Australia (REIWA) has appointed a new chief executive, recruiting a state leader from the Housing Industry of Australia (HIA).
Cath Hart takes on the leadership role at REIWA after stints as executive director for Western Australia at HIA, director of advocacy at Western Australia’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and director of government media for the office of the Premier.
REIWA president Damian Collins praised Ms Hart’s experience, commenting that her background in advocacy work would help her as she embarked on this new role.
“We are confident Cath is the right person for the next phase of REIWA’s ongoing work on behalf of our members and the wider real estate industry,” Mr Collins said.
Ms Hart expressed her excitement at taking on the position during a catalysing moment for the state’s housing market.
“I’m excited and honoured to take on the role of REIWA CEO, particularly as Western Australia faces a significant turning point in its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Population growth, housing affordability and sustainable activity across the entire housing continuum are all key challenges to ensuring WA becomes the best place in the world to live and do business,” she said.
And though her experience has spanned a number of sectors, she noted that her ties to real estate run deep.
“On a personal level, my mother and father were both real estate agents, so I grew up in sales offices, spending weekends in display homes and visiting pegged-out estates so I feel a great sense of pride to be able to represent the hard working people in the WA real estate sector”.
Taking over from Neville Pozzi, who served as CEO for 10 years but worked at REIWA for over four decades, Ms Hart will begin her new role on 2 May 2022.
Mr Collins said the search for a new CEO had attracted applicants from across the country and was quick to note the significant shoes a new leader would be left to fill.
“On behalf of the REIWA council, our membership and staff, I’d like to thank Neville for his outstanding contribution to REIWA and the real estate industry at large,” Mr Collins said.
“Neville has spent almost his entire career at the institute and has been critical in its success.
“We wish Neville well in retirement and thank him for everything he has given to the institute and its members over the last 45 years.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Juliet Helmke
Based in Sydney, Juliet Helmke has a broad range of reporting and editorial experience across the areas of business, technology, entertainment and the arts. She was formerly Senior Editor at The New York Observer.
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