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While the Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) continues to hunt for their next chief executive, an interim CEO will take the reins.
Maria Edwards will step in as interim CEO of the REIA while the national institute continues to search for a permanent candidate for the role.
Edwards, who is currently CEO of the Real Estate Institute of the ACT (REIACT), has extensive experience in the real estate sector.
REIA president Leanne Pilkington stated: “Maria is a career real estate practitioner across rentals, sales and business development, as well as social and affordable housing that has led REIACT calmly and capably.”
“She has, in her short time at REIACT, significantly expanded the REIACT membership and delivered a range of commercial outcomes with her vast business development expertise,” added Pilkington.
It won’t be a long commute for Edwards, with the REIACT and REIA both located in the same building in Deakin, Canberra.
Meanwhile, the REIA’s recruitment drive is set to continue, with HAYS on board as the recruitment adviser for the permanent CEO role.
Recently, Pilkington noted that the new CEO role will be “a rare opportunity to lead a national industry body at a time of significant change in the real estate sector”.
As Australia continues to grapple with ongoing housing supply shortages, Pilkington said that the new CEO must be “a politically and commercially savvy leader”.
The recruitment drive follows the recent departure of Anna Neelagama from the CEO position, after a productive four years with the peak body.
During her time as REIA CEO, Neelagama had navigated the real estate industry through a swathe of major challenges, including “the second half of COVID-19, seven federal budgets, the redevelopment of Real Estate House” and a contentious political conversation about investment tax settings, according to Pilkington.
The REIA president lauded Neelagama’s work in elevating the “professionalism and image of REIA” and shared that “we wish her and her family well”.
