After seven years of partnership in Rockhampton, David Bell and Riley Neaton have refined their leadership focus to support continued growth across both Rockhampton and Yeppoon.
Leadership of the Rockhampton business will be shared by Riley Neaton, Cassie Sparks, Charlie McCarron and Melinda Kirby, reflecting an expanded internal leadership structure.
Together, David and Riley will continue to lead Ray White Yeppoon, with the Rockhampton and Yeppoon businesses remaining closely aligned through shared values, collaboration and a long-standing working relationship between the two principals.
“David and I have worked incredibly closely for a long time, and this change is about setting both businesses up for the next stage of growth,” Riley Neaton said.
“While our day-to-day focus is now clearly defined, our vision and approach remain strongly aligned.”
The leadership evolution reflects a deliberate commitment to developing leaders from within the Rockhampton business.
Each of the newly elevated leaders has progressed through the organisation and brings strong local knowledge, operational experience and a deep understanding of the business culture.
Cassie Sparks oversees business operations and property management, having begun her career at Ray White Rockhampton more than 15 years ago as a property manager before progressing into senior operational leadership.
Melinda Kirby brings eight years of experience with the business and is recognised for her consistent results, strong client relationships and market leadership.
Charlie McCarron joined the business five years ago after transitioning from a trade background and has since established himself as a high-performing agent within the Rockhampton market.
Together, the leadership team brings a complementary mix of operational expertise, sales performance and local market knowledge, providing a strong foundation for the continued growth of the Rockhampton business.
“These people have the potential to take the business further,” Riley Neaton said.
“We needed fresh ideas and new energy, and there is no better way to achieve that than by promoting leaders who understand our culture because they’ve grown up in it.”
Riley’s own career path reflects the opportunity available within the Ray White network.
He entered the real estate industry at the age of 21, has spent nearly nine years in the business and has been a business owner for seven years, having started his career as an associate under David Bell.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without that mentorship,” he said.
“Seeing others now step into leadership roles is incredibly rewarding and reinforces the importance of building people for the long term.”
Ray White Rockhampton and Ray White Yeppoon continue to deliver standout results across the region.
Together, the businesses hold a combined 45 per cent market share and have maintained their position as the dominant agencies in their respective markets for the past nine years.
They have also been recognised as the number one international business within the Ray White Group for number of sales.
From a combined team of just 15 staff, the businesses have grown to more than 90 team members across both offices. In the past year alone, Ray White Rockhampton recorded 725 sales, reflecting strong performance across residential, rural and commercial property.
“Our success comes down to our people and our culture,” Riley said.
“We have a diverse, multi-generational team, from young people entering the industry to experienced professionals who have been part of the business for decades. That mix has helped us build trust and a strong reputation across the Rockhampton community.”
Looking ahead, the focus remains firmly on growth, leadership development and continued market leadership across both businesses.
“I want to see both Rockhampton and Yeppoon continue to power forward,” Riley said.
“That means developing leaders, supporting our people, and continuing to deliver strong outcomes for our clients and our communities.”
Jason Andrew, CEO of Ray White Queensland, said the leadership evolution reflects the strength of the Rockhampton business and its commitment to developing people from within.
“Ray White Rockhampton is best in market not just because of its market share, but because of the depth of talent it has built over many years,” Jason Andrew said.
“Riley and David have created a culture that genuinely develops people, and seeing leaders like Cassie, Charlie and Melinda step into expanded roles is a natural progression.”
“This structure positions Ray White Rockhampton for continued success and reinforces why it remains one of the strongest businesses in our network. The best years are clearly still ahead.”
