I’m Hilton Kriek, CEO of Harcourts Blue, a fully qualified Property Practitioner registered with the PPRA and holding both my NQF4 and NQF5 Real Estate Qualifications.

My career in real estate began in 2014, and what started as an administrative role quickly grew into a deep personal calling. I am proud to have earned multiple honours within the Harcourts network, including the Living the Harcourts Way Award, the Being Courageous Award, the People First Award at HX South Africa 2026, and 4th Position in the RWK Legacy Club, which recognises top business owners within Harcourts South Africa. These achievements reflect the values that continue to shape the way I lead today: people first service, courageous leadership, business excellence and a commitment to building something that lasts.

From the moment I stepped into real estate, I understood that this industry is ultimately about people. After eight months as a personal assistant, I transitioned into full time sales and discovered a passion for negotiation, guidance and helping families move through major life transitions. As an agent, I achieved Platinum Status within the Harcourts Group and built a strong reputation for accuracy, communication and delivering premium results across residential free standing homes, sectional title properties and lifestyle estates. I developed a deep understanding of what sellers and buyers truly need from a professional and how powerful a well supported agent can be in transforming the client experience.

In 2018, I was appointed Sales Manager at Harcourts Blue, where I began training, coaching and mentoring new agents. This became one of the defining chapters of my career. Empowering others, building systems that create consistency and helping new agents grow in confidence and competence became core parts of my purpose. Under my leadership, our office produced four Rising Star winners, awarded to rookie agents who achieved the highest sales nationwide in their first year. This achievement stands as a testament to our culture of excellence, collaboration and development.

In 2023, I became the owner of four Harcourts franchises covering Boksburg, Benoni, Germiston and Potchefstroom. Leading a multi location organisation requires vision, discipline and deep strategic understanding. My leadership philosophy is simple: we run a hotel for agents. When our agents feel supported, equipped and inspired, they deliver the best possible experience to our buyers, sellers and investors. My focus is on refining systems, modernising processes, elevating marketing, integrating advanced technologies such as AI, and building a culture where people thrive.

Being recognised with the People First Award in 2026 was especially meaningful to me because it reflects what I believe leadership should be about: people, culture, service and care. Achieving 4th Position in the RWK Legacy Club in the same year was also a proud milestone, recognising the growth, resilience and performance of Harcourts Blue as a business. These awards are not only personal achievements, but a reflection of the incredible team, agents and clients who continue to be part of our journey.

I am committed to continuous learning and staying ahead of industry, economic and legislative changes. Real estate is evolving rapidly, and I believe that strong leadership requires adaptability, innovation and the courage to embrace new tools and strategies. By empowering our team with knowledge, technology and the Harcourts global network, we ensure that our clients receive world class service and results.

Harcourts Blue is built on relationships. We are deeply connected to the communities we serve across the East Rand and Potchefstroom, supporting local families, neighbourhood initiatives and organisations that strengthen our cities. I am proud to lead a team that values integrity, professionalism, service excellence and human connection as deeply as I do.

My mission is to elevate the real estate experience for every client and every agent. Whether guiding homeowners through life changing transitions or supporting our agents in building long term careers, I remain committed to leading with purpose, clarity and heart.

Excellence is not an act. It is our standard. And at Harcourts Blue, I am with you all the way.