The Real Estate Institute of New South Wales (REINSW) has lauded the New South Wales government for provided the institution with the education foundations to pursue a profession recognition.
REINSW president John Cunningham said the need for greater accountability and transparency in the ever increasing complexities of property transactions has led to a clear need for recognisable property professionals who offer trusted advice, service and expertise to stand up and be counted for.
REINSW has created an advisory group of key industry leaders and stakeholders, which had its first meeting on March 15 to create the structure and agree on the path forward for property professionals.
“The group was formed initially from the panel of industry thought leaders from last year’s REINSW Industry Summit where the focus was on Professionalism. The core group has been expanded to include some other industry leaders and influencers to ensure we have carriage of the broad spectrum of property professionals,” Cunningham said.
The group consists of Cunningham, REINSW deputy president and managing director of Laing+Simmons Leanne Pilkington, Raine & Horne of Coastal vice president and director Brett Hunter, board members Peter Matthews Chief of Province Agents and Kylie Walsh general manager of Di Jones.
Also in the group is Shannan Whitney, director of BresicWhitney, Ewan Morton managing director of Mortons, Chris Mourd head of real estate for LJ Hooker Group, Brad Caldwell-Eyles managing director of 1st City Real Estate Group, Doug Driscoll chief of Starr Partners and Lisa Pennell head of marketing for Ray White Group.
“The advisory group has now set up committees to deal with each of the five elements of professionalism which, once reviewed and submitted for broader industry feedback, will form the framework for an application to the Professional Standards Authority of Australia.
“The next step on the journey will be an Industry Leaders & Influencers Think Tank on May 24 where 40 to 50 of the best and brightest will discuss the project, its milestones and as a result decisions and commitments will be made on moving forward.
“Members of the industry will soon be faced with making a decision as to what path they are going to take, the path to trusted professional advisor or the path to just connecting the dots in a low service low expertise process environment,” he said.
Experienced industry trainer and Managing Director of RTO MRT Training, Tony Rowe said, “The group that has been put together is diverse. It represents a broad cross-section of the industry with tremendous experience across the operational side of the industry. The ‘Five E’ pathway [Ethics, Education, Experience, Examination and Entity] is not something that can be achieved in a short time-frame, but aspiring to get the industry to professional status is an important, and welcome, aspirational goal.”
