Today Ray White New Zealand announces important changes to its leadership structure which will position the group's continued growth into the future.

Ray White New Zealand COO Daniel Coulson has been a part of the leadership team for the past two and half years in a role that has provided a pathway and will step up to become the CEO of Ray White New Zealand as of December 1, 2022. 

Current CEO Carey Smith will transition to his new role as Executive Chairman from December 1. This new role will enable him to provide further mentorship, trust and advice. It also allows Mr Smith to assist in enabling the strategic advantage the company continues to support, in the Next Leaders program. The program provides a pathway for the next generation within the industry. Making the structural changes within the group will further strengthen Ray White New Zealand. 

Mr Smith has led the company for the past 25 years. 

“One reason for the growth achieved by Ray White is the ability for our New Zealand business to accomplish outcomes that have kept the company at the forefront of the industry,” he said. 

“Enabling a well-resourced corporate team with the same shared ambition as the Ray White New Zealand business owners has added more value to the brand across New Zealand.”

Since Mr Coulson joined the Ray White leadership team, the company has seen its greatest rise in market share, resulting in an annual growth rate of 9.5 per cent. In essence, this has given the business an exponential lift in market share, with the company now selling 23.74 per cent of all residential real estate across New Zealand. 

Mr Coulson said he felt very privileged and humbled to take the role of CEO.

“The Ray White Group has had extraordinary growth under Carey and, with our strong leadership through our business owners, the Ray White Group has an ambitious direction which I’m proud to be given the opportunity to lead,” he said. 

“Market conditions have changed and will continue to ebb and flow. It is our businesses ability to navigate these changes successfully that sets them apart.”

“A focus on real-time data has been emphasized over the past two years and has given us a leading-edge position in our ability to understand and relate to market conditions.”

Ray White New Zealand started operations as United Realty in September 1993. This transition took place in September 1997 when United Realty became known as Ray White United. In October 1999 Ray White United transitioned to Ray White. During this time Carey Smith became CEO and has led the group on a journey of persistence, determination and ambition.

The brand has undergone three further transitions, from Ray White Real Estate to Ray White, and has established a strong partnership with the very best business leaders within the industry as members. Ray White today has 195 offices transacting $21.72 billion worth of real estate and managing more than 20,000 properties for landlords throughout the country.

Ray White Managing Director Dan White said the transition of leadership in New Zealand was one of the very best examples of planning the ongoing leadership journey of the business. 

“The growth of Ray White New Zealand under Carey’s leadership is both unrivaled and remarkable, and such success only occurs with the finest leadership that not only attracts talent but also provides an environment that supports and challenges all members to thrive and reach their potential,” Mr White said. 

“Carey, along with our NZ business owners, has created an extraordinary business with momentum that Daniel will continue to build upon. This new structure will ensure that Carey will continue to have an enormous impact right across our group.  

“Our leadership team led by Daniel Coulson, Treena Drinnan and Stephanie Watson in New Zealand continues to be an outstanding example of leadership and a team that creates extraordinary results.”

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