REA Group CEO Owen Wilson to Retire After Transformative Decade

Leadership Change at REA Group

REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA) has announced that its Chief Executive Officer, Owen Wilson, will retire from full-time executive duties in the second half of 2025. Wilson’s departure marks the end of a significant chapter for the company, having spent a decade with REA and six years at the helm as CEO. His leadership has been widely recognised for driving transformative growth and establishing REA as a dominant force in the digital property advertising space.

The Board of REA Group has expressed its gratitude for Wilson’s dynamic stewardship, highlighting the company’s strong financial results and strategic advancements during his tenure. Wilson himself reflected on his time with the company with pride, noting the talented team and exciting strategy that will carry REA forward.

A Smooth Transition and Future Prospects

To ensure continuity, Wilson will remain with REA throughout the transition period while the Board undertakes a comprehensive search for his successor. This process will consider both internal and external candidates, signalling the company’s commitment to finding a leader capable of sustaining and building upon the current momentum.

REA Group Chairman Hamish McLennan praised Wilson’s contribution, describing his leadership as stellar and crediting him with positioning REA as one of Australia’s premier home-grown technology companies with a global footprint. Similarly, News Corp CEO Robert Thomson underscored Wilson’s role in shaping a competitive and empathetic culture, which has become a benchmark for digital platforms worldwide.

REA Group’s Market Position and Strategic Outlook

Under Wilson’s guidance, REA Group has expanded its portfolio to include leading property websites such as realestate.com.au and realcommercial.com.au, alongside ventures into mortgage broking, property data services, and fintech innovations. The company’s strategic investments both domestically and internationally have reinforced its position as a global leader in digital property services.

As the company prepares for this leadership change, investors and market watchers will be keen to see how the new CEO will navigate the evolving digital landscape and maintain REA’s competitive edge. The transition period offers an opportunity for reflection on the company’s achievements and a moment to anticipate the next phase of growth.