New REIWA CEO appointed

REIWA is pleased to announce it has appointed Cath Hart as its new Chief Executive Officer.

The appointment follows an extensive recruitment process that began last year and drew interest from applicants around the country.

Ms Hart comes to REIWA from the Housing Industry of Australia, where she has been Executive Director (WA) since 2018.

Previously Ms Hart worked as Director of Advocacy at Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA, and prior to that as Director of Government Media for Office of the Premier.

REIWA President Damian Collins said the Institute was delighted to appoint Ms Hart as REIWA CEO.

“Cath has a strong background in advocacy and will bring significant commercial experience to the role. REIWA Council is excited about the great things REIWA can still achieve and we are confident Cath is the right person for the next phase of REIWA’s ongoing work on behalf of our members and the wider real estate industry," Mr Collins said. 

Ms Hart welcomed the opportunity to lead REIWA through its next phase of growth.

"I'm excited and honoured to take on the role of REIWA CEO, particularly as Western Australia faces a significant turning point in its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Population growth, housing affordability and sustainable activity across the entire housing continuum are all key challenges to ensuring WA becomes the best place in the world to live and do business.

“On a personal level, my mother and father were both real estate agents, so I grew up in sales offices, spending weekends in display homes and visiting pegged-out estates so I feel a great sense of pride to be able to represent the hard working people in the WA real estate sector.”

Ms Hart commences at REIWA on 2 May 2022. She is taking over from Neville Pozzi, who is retiring after 45 years at the Institute, 10 of which were as CEO.

“On behalf of the REIWA Council, our membership and staff, I’d like to thank Neville for his outstanding contribution to REIWA and the real estate industry at large,” Mr Collins said.

“Neville has spent almost his entire career at the Institute and has been critical in its success. His innovation and sound financial management has ensured REIWA is the most successful real estate institute in the country.

“We wish Neville well in retirement and thank him for everything he has given to the Institute and its members over the last 45 years.”