Tracey Fellows is stepping down from her role as REA Group’s chief executive to become president of global digital real estate at News Corp.
Based in New York, Fellows’ new role will see her responsible for driving strategy and growth across all of News Corp’s digital real estate interests.
Fellows has been in the top role at REA Group – News Corp Australia’s real estate business – since August 2014.
News Corp CEO Robert Thomson said: “Tracey has driven the rapid expansion of the digital real estate business in Australia and Asia, and we believe her leadership internationally will ensure that all of our digital property companies realise their extraordinary potential.
“She is an inspiring leader who is able to bring out the best in teams and in individuals.”
Thomson said audiences, revenue and profits at REA Group have all expanded significantly during Fellows’ tenure as CEO.
“She has been an irrepressible innovator and has led the company into intelligent adjacencies, such as financial services and property data, which have broadened the revenue base and built a platform for future growth,” he said.
“We are keen to capitalise on our sterling success in digital real estate by driving even faster growth in our existing businesses, such as realtor.com, where Ryan O’Hara and his team have successfully transformed the business, and in seeking out new investment opportunities.
“Tracey is the perfect person to deliver on both of those imperatives for our company and our investors.”
REA Group chairman Hamish McLennan said the company has seen “exceptional transformation and growth” since Fellows took the helm in 2014.
“She has the extraordinary ability to harness the power of people, technology and data, and has built strong cultural and operational foundations that will drive our growth into the future,” he said.
“The board and I are enormously grateful to Tracey for all she has done and wish her every success in her exciting new role, and look forward to continuing to work with her.”
Fellows said: “It has been an absolute privilege working with the team and the board at REA.
“It’s one of the exciting things about the opportunity. It allows me to take on a new challenge while continuing to work alongside these incredible people – all in an industry I am so passionate about.
“I feel very fortunate. There could not be a more exciting time for a role like this.”
Fellows’ tenure as chief executive of REA Group will end in January 2019, but she will remain on its board on behalf of News Corp.
She will also support the appointment of her replacement and the transition of leadership at REA Group.
