At the Annual General Meeting on 5 November 2020, Peter Matthews was announced as the REINSW President Elect for the next 12 months.
Joining the REINSW Board in 2015, Peter Matthews, one of New South Wales foremost auctioneers and the Co-founder and CEO of Realtair, always had his eye on sitting in the hot seat.
“I’ve been privileged to have the opportunity to work with a group of outstanding real estate professionals during my time on the REINSW Board, and it’s been a long-held ambition to ultimately step into the role of President,” he said. “I’m absolutely thrilled to have this opportunity and can’t wait to get started.
“Following in the footsteps of Leanne Pilkington, I know that I have very big – and sparkly – shoes to fill. During her time as President, Leanne has been the epitome of an exceptional leader and I’m incredibly excited to shadow her for the next 12 months and learn everything I can before taking up the role of President in November 2021.”
“By working together, we can leverage our united voice, become more relevant and collectively be a stronger advocate for the sector.”
Knowledge and experience
Peter started in the real estate industry in 1991 and, over the ensuing years, has built an enviable career as a sales agent, auctioneer, agency leader and proptech entrepreneur.
“I’d just turned 18 when I started out,” he recalled. “I always knew that I wanted to work in the real estate industry. My dad was a fitter and turner and wanted me to join him in the trade, but my gut told me that my future lay in a different direction.
“After my first 12 months in an admin role, I moved into sales. Then, in 1994, my Principal encouraged me to enter the REINSW Novice Auctioneers Competition. “I won the Inner West Division heat and the prize was a gavel – and it’s the gavel I still use today. Since then, I’ve called more than 26,000 auctions.”
You could say that auctioneering is in Peter’s blood.
“My great-grandfather was an auctioneer prior to the Depression,” he said. “He owned a big auction house, auctioning everything from goods and chattels to livestock. Unfortunately, when the Depression hit, he lost everything. Nonetheless, he continued his career as an auctioneer for many, many years thereafter.”
Over the years, Peter’s career has touched on almost every aspect of the real estate industry, including owning and leading both franchise and independent agencies. Today, he is the Co-founder and CEO of Realtair – a technology platform that provides an end-to-end integrated solution for real estate agencies to add value for clients and deliver a greater customer experience.
Value and relevance
Bringing all of his knowledge and experience to bear, Peter is determined to demonstrate REINSW’s continuing value and relevance.
“While REINSW is now 110 years old, that certainly doesn’t mean that it’s irrelevant,” he said. “Far from it.
“If the challenges thrown up over the last 12 months have taught us anything, it’s that REINSW is more relevant today than ever before. Not only was our industry faced with the fallout from COVID-19, but also a raft of industry reforms. And who did everyone look to? The dedicated team at REINSW, who each worked tirelessly to provide the information, advice, training and support that members needed.
“While the impact of COVID-19 will taper off, there is always more to do. Lobbying, legislation changes, quality training, professional standards and more are ongoing activities – and providing a strong voice for members across every facet of the industry is the keen focus for REINSW.”
Peter firmly believes that every person working in the real estate industry should be a member of REINSW.
“Consider our sheer numbers,” he posed. “By working together, we can leverage our united voice, become more relevant and collectively be a stronger advocate for the sector. And, as agents, we can secure our status as an essential element in every real estate transaction.”
Peter Matthews will hold the position of President Elect until the Annual General Meeting in November 2021, at which time he will be declared REINSW President.