REA promotes Owen Wilson to CEO

REA Group has promoted its chief financial officer to CEO to replace the outgoing Tracey Fellows.

REA Group CFO Owen Wilson has been promoted to CEO following the departure of Tracey Fellows. Picture: Supplied

Australia’s biggest online property listing firm REA Group has promoted its chief financial officer Owen Wilson as chief executive from January 7.

Mr Wilson will replace Tracey Fellows, who announced last month that she was moving to News Corp in New York to run the media group’s global digital real estate operations.

REA chairman Hamish McLennan said Mr Wilson has played a major role in the company’s growth since he came on board in 2014.

“He has a deep understanding of the company, our long-term strategy and the importance of our customers in driving business success.

“The board has worked closely with Owen over the past four years in his capacity as chief financial officer, and we are excited by his vision for the future of REA,” Mr McLennan said in a statement.

Outgoing REA CEO Tracey Fellows. Picture: Aaron Francis

Mr Wilson joined REA in 2014, overseeing the group’s finance portfolio including strategy, M&A, and operations. Prior to that, he was CFO and company secretary at recruitment company Chandler MacLeod, leading the finance and M&A operations.

Mr Wilson spent 15 years at ANZ in numerous roles, including chief operating officer of the bank’s institutional and investment bank, and managing director of retail banking and international partnerships in Asia. He also worked at consulting and auditing firm KPMG.

Mr Wilson was upbeat about his new role, and said the company is in a “strong position.”

“My priority is to ensure we continue to drive value for our customers and consumers in Australia and Asia,” said Mr Wilson.

REA, which counts Domain as its biggest competitor in Australia, also said that Henry Ruiz’s role as CEO of its Asian operations will expand to include chief strategy officer to drive its long-term growth strategy across Asia and Australia.

REA counts News Corp as its biggest shareholder with a 61.6 per cent stake. News Corp is also publisher of The Australian.