A new board has been announced to lead Laing+Simmons through its next growth phase.
The move comes after a partnership made up of head office team members and some of the network’s best-known principals agreed to buy the business from Dexar Group in January.
The New South Wales-based boutique real estate franchise network currently includes 43 offices in key metropolitan and regional locations.
Joe Sita, vice chair, IFA Real Estate Services, will serve as the new Laing+Simmons board chair.
The new Laing+Simmons board also comprises D’Leanne Lewis, principal, Laing+Simmons Double Bay; Paul Abassi, principal, Laing+Simmons St Marys | Ropes Crossing; Peter Green, principal, Laing+Simmons Miranda; Tolly Saivanidis, managing partner, Pryor Tzannes & Wallis.
With an experienced board in place, the network will now turn its attention to new growth avenues and supporting existing franchise partners.
Laing+Simmons Managing Director Leanne Pilkington said the approach of the new ownership was “purposefully not about business as usual”.
“It is an acknowledgement that real estate is changing and the support and direction provided by franchisors needs to change with it,” Ms Pilkington said.
“We are focused on investigating new avenues of growth for our business and our franchisees, through a diversification of income streams, new service offerings and the selective growth of the network in key markets.
“Central to the value proposition provided by us as a franchisor is the recognition of the importance of a level playing field for all franchisees, irrespective of business size, areas of speciality or geographic location, and then promoting an environment in which success is not only achievable, but expected.
Ms Pilkington said Laing+Simmons will continue to operate as a collaborative network and the network’s new board members, shareholders and franchisees “will have their voice heard when it comes to fostering that environment of success”.
“The process of surveying Laing+Simmons business owners has commenced and the commitment to collaborate is ongoing,” she said.
“Laing+Simmons has always been different in approach. Now, we have a unique structure in a real estate context, we have a shared ambition between board, ownership and franchisees, and we have a level playing field throughout the network geared towards our collective success,” she said.
