Raine & Horne’s international expansion gets very serious with new appointment

Media release - 1st December, 2015

Leading Australian real estate group Raine & Horne is ramping up its worldwide expansion with the appointment of experienced global property specialist, Bill Russell, as its General Manager International.

Mr Russell is responsible for building Raine & Horne’s global networks, as well as bringing to light property development and project marketing opportunities in Asia/Pacific, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent.

Raine & Horne launched its global network in 1989 when it established a presence in Malaysia, and will open offices in Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Abu Dhabi in the first half of 2016, according to Angus Raine, Executive Chairman, Raine & Horne.

“Australia is a global leader in the delivery of real estate agency best practice and we’re the best in the business in terms of IT, marketing, training and agency systems, so it stands to reason that we are taking an aggressive approach to global expansion,” said Mr Raine, who launched Raine & Horne’s Dubai office earlier in 2015.

“At the same time, the Australian property market is small by global standards, and is dominated by Sydney and Melbourne, so global expansion represents an excellent way to grow our 300-strong office network,” said Mr Raine.

Mr Russell’s extensive resume includes a 30-year stint with another major Australian real estate firm, REA Group and leading English-speaking real estate portal, Juwai. He will continue with Juwai as its head of international development in conjunction with his new role with Raine & Horne.

“Bill’s role with Juwai gives him an extensive working knowledge of real estate markets in Asia, the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, Europe and North America. We’re very keen to tap into Bill’s deep well of global experience and connections as we seek new markets,” said Mr Raine.

“Everyone that Bill comes into contact with is interested in real estate, franchising best practice and online marketing, so roles with industry leaders such as Raine & Horne and Juwai will complement each other perfectly.”

Mr Russell says exporting local real estate practice to the world makes sense because Australia has the best consumer protection laws, a sophisticated real estate industry, and very high standards of agency practice, especially in a franchised environment.

“We’re talking to a lot of entrepreneurs, especially in Asia and the Indian subcontinent, who recognise that a successful real estate business is an excellent financial opportunity, especially with the mushrooming middle classes in those regions,” said Mr Russell.

“However they have fingers in many pies and don’t necessarily want to get caught up in the finer details of establishing a real estate business.

“Entrepreneurs want a proven system that works and this is where a 132-year old, fourth generation, 100% family-owned company such as Raine & Horne, which has a peerless record for real estate franchising since the mid-1970s, is very appealing.”

The real estate profession is still emerging in markets such as the Middle East and Asia Pacific, and franchising will guide the industry in those regions, according to Mr Russell, who is excited about joining Raine & Horne.

“Raine & Horne is an old and established brand that is taking an aggressive, disruptive approach to global property market expansion,” said Mr Russell.

–ENDS–

For further media information contact:

Angus Raine, Executive Chairman, Raine & Horne on 0409 920 697

Andrew Harrington, National Communications Manager, Raine & Horne, on 02 9258 5400