South African heads up global estate agency

Global real estate franchise group, Harcourts International, has South African Steve Caradoc-Davies as new chief executive officer to lead the 132-year-old company into the next era.

On 1 October Caradoc-Davies took over leadership of the 900-office network and approximately 10,000 team members in nine countries, from Mike Green, who will take on a new focus within the business.
"Steve brings a unique understanding from his 30 years in the real estate business, having held roles in property management, sales, office management, owning his own franchise for over 25 years and developing it into the best-performing Harcourts office in South Africa," says Green.

Continues Green: "More importantly though, Steve is passionate about Harcourts. He loves our culture and values and has a very strong level of integrity and caring. I believe he will take our organisation to the next level".

The company's statement about the change in leadership said it has been planned as part of a succession plan and aligns with the organisation's long-term focus on strategic initiatives across digital marketing, technology, training, people & culture and client experience. Caradoc-Davies will lead the executive leadership team to support the long-term vision of the business, while continuing to add greater value to the franchise business owners and their teams, who are the foundation of the Harcourts Group.

"First, I must acknowledge the extraordinary achievement Mike has had leading Harcourts for the last 20 years and creating an incredibly successful business, a strong family culture and a vision where people are at the heart of everything we do," says Caradoc-Davies. "Thank you to the Harcourts board for entrusting me with this responsibility. It is a privilege and honour for me to lead Harcourts into the next chapter."

Prior to joining the corporate leadership team at Harcourts, Caradoc-Davies was business owner of the number one Harcourts franchise office from 2014-2019 in South Africa, Harcourts Platinum, in Somerset West, Cape Town, which also achieved an international Harcourts Top 20 ranking from 2014-2019. He has played an active role in Harcourts South Africa, serving as a director on the board since 2005. Currently he is based in Brisbane, Australia.

"We are exceptionally proud to have one of our own Harcourts South Africa team members now heading up Harcourts International. Steve has always been viewed as a top leader in Harcourts South Africa and it is no surprise that he has been given this opportunity. We have every confidence that he will make a massive success of his new role," says Richard Gray, CEO of Harcourts South Africa.

As only the third chief executive in the history of Harcourts International, Caradoc-Davies' role is aimed at further strengthening the company's global presence and service to its franchisees, and he will oversee the network across Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Fiji, Indonesia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United States.