Professionals Group Australia has appointed Sean Hanneberry as its new chief executive

A leading Australia-wide real estate network has appointed a new CEO to guide it through the transformation of the business.

Professionals Group Australia has appointed Sean Hanneberry as its new CEO.

Professionals Group Australia has appointed Sean Hanneberry as its new chief executive, charged with leading a major transformation of the national real estate network.

Hanneberry, 51, has a 25-year background in business leadership, strategy and marketing in Australia and Britain and will be based in Brisbane.

He has held executive leadership roles including managing director of global consultancy Sapient Nitro and strategy director of Clemenger BBDO.

Hanneberry (illustrated) said he was excited by the organisation’s untapped potential.

“My goal is to build a future where Professionals is not just competing in the market, but defining it,’’ he said.

“The real estate industry is undergoing significant change with customer expectations, technology, and marketing strategies evolving rapidly. The brands that succeed will only be those that connect, engage and create real value for their clients.”

Hanneberry replaced Katherine Gonzalez-Cork who stepped down in late 2024.

Sean Hanneberry, new CEO of real estate network, Professionals Group Australia.

Up and away

As businesses return to the office and the skies in the new year, Corporate Traveller reports a surge in mining and construction travel in January, while tennis is still a hit for domestic travellers wanting to mix business with leisure

Managing director of Flight Centre’s flagship SME arm Corporate Traveller Global Tom Walley says there’s been a notable surge in activity from the mining and construction sectors at the start of the new year making up about 35 per cent of all corporate bookings in the first month of 2025.

“In contrast, finance and insurance sectors appear to be slower to return to the runway this year,” he said.

“Finance and insurance industries, typically among the top five most travelled sectors throughout 2024, are barely scraping the top 10 for the early weeks of 2025, showing they’re easing into business in the new year.”

Tom Walley, Corporate Traveller’s general manager, Australia.

Walley says corporate types were snubbing Sydney for the “bleisure” appeal delivered by Melbourne and Brisbane.

“With the Australian Open running over three weeks in January and attracting corporate crowds, Melbourne took out the top spot as the most booked domestic destination for the month of January,” he says.

It was followed by Brisbane, which had slightly more corporate bookings in January than Sydney. Walley says the sector will settle down in February with Sydney set to keep its crown as the corporate darling of Australia.

Choccy time

There’s nothing like getting the timing right, with the Noosa Chocolate Factory officially opening its newly expanded Adelaide St store and cafe in the CBD.

The launch – just before Valentines Day – followed an extensive renovation and expansion of the stores at 156 Adelaide St, opposite QueensPlaza.

The investment comes as global cocoa prices continue to rise.

Noosa Chocolate Factory general manager Nick Southon reaffirmed the company’s commitment to maintaining quality while adapting to economic challenges.

“We continue to invest in our retail presence within South East Queensland to ensure product quality is never compromised,” he said.

“Our chocolates are made with natural ingredients, free from chemicals, making them a unique offering for chocolate lovers visiting or living in Noosa, the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.”

The grand opening followed the successful launch of a new Brisbane Arcade store in late 2024.

Noosa Chocolate Factory general manager Nick Southon.

Originally published as Professionals Group Australia has appointed Sean Hanneberry as its new chief executive