REMAX Australia’s Lauren Brewer has been elected to the REIQ Board, joining returning Directors Peter Camphin and Daniel Burrett as the institute brings together fresh perspectives, regional experience and established industry leadership.
Lauren Brewer wants to help shape a future where technology makes real estate businesses stronger, talented professionals remain in the industry and agents receive greater recognition for the work they do.
The REMAX Australia Marketing & Innovations Manager has been elected as the Real Estate Institute of Queensland’s (REIQ) new Young Director, joining the Board at a time when agencies are navigating challenging market conditions, regulatory pressures and rapid technological change.
Ms Brewer said one of her priorities would be ensuring the profession was equipped to respond to those challenges while continuing to attract and retain good people.
“I think the market’s in a really challenging position at the moment,” she said.
“That’s for a range of reasons, not only just the market itself, legislation, and regulatory issues facing real estate businesses, you know, at a state and federal level.”
Drawing on her experience working with business owners across the REMAX network, Ms Brewer said operating conditions were difficult for agencies, with pressures extending beyond the property market itself to legislation and regulation.
She said retaining experienced professionals would be important, particularly as businesses grappled with challenging conditions that could prompt some people to leave the industry.
“I would like to make sure that we keep really, really good people in the industry, rather than seeing people exit because of those tough market conditions.”
Looking further ahead, Ms Brewer identified technology, particularly its implications for business efficiency, employment and security, as another major issue facing the profession.
“I don’t want to use the buzzword AI, but technology is changing so rapidly. We need to consider how it can make businesses more efficient, but also what impact it could have on the workforce.”
She said the pace of technological change presented opportunities for agencies to operate more efficiently, but also raised questions about how businesses and their workforces would adapt.
For her, however, improving the profession is not simply about systems, legislation or business performance.
It is also about changing how real estate agents are perceived.
“I think real estate agents get a really bad rap,” she said.
Ms Brewer attending a Halloween party where telling people she worked in real estate prompted a familiar reaction, reinforcing her desire to see the profession move beyond negative stereotypes.
The appointment marks another milestone in a career that has taken her across different parts of the real estate industry.
Ms Brewer has nine years of experience in the sector and previously worked with Apollo Auctions, where she developed relationships with independent agencies and larger real estate businesses.
She currently works across technology, systems and marketing at REMAX Australia and was also a 2026 REIQ LIFT Ambassador.
Her election follows a competitive campaign for the Young Director position, which is reserved for a Board member under the age of 35.
Although the position ensures younger professionals have a voice at Board level, Ms Brewer explained that her responsibilities extend to the broader governance and strategic direction of the REIQ.
She will serve a three-year term.
Ms Brewer said she had been overwhelmed by the support she received throughout the election process, including from colleagues within REMAX and people she had worked with across the wider industry.
“I couldn’t be more grateful that, obviously, people have to vote you in,” she said.
Her appointment also continues a longstanding family connection with the organisation.
She is the daughter of former REIQ Chair and recently appointed Life Member Peter Brewer, who led the institute as Chair for eight years before stepping down from the Board in 2025.
In the REIQ’s official announcement, Ms Brewer said she was looking forward to contributing to the profession’s future.
“I’ve had an eye on real estate for most of my life. I’m often impressed by the incredibly hardworking people in our profession that are so passionate about their careers and communities, and it is an honour to add my voice to support them,” she said.
Strong interest in the next generation
REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella welcomed Ms Brewer’s election, describing the strong interest in the Young Director position as an encouraging sign for the future of the profession.
“The Young Director position was hotly contested this year, with a number of impressive candidates campaigning strongly for the opportunity to represent their peers,” Ms Mercorella said.
“That level of interest and engagement speaks volumes about the enthusiasm of the next generation to have a voice and play an active role in shaping the future of their profession.”
Ms Mercorella said the level of engagement also demonstrated the REIQ’s continuing relevance as the industry evolved, with younger professionals increasingly interested in contributing to its future direction.
She said Ms Brewer’s experience across technology, innovation, marketing and stakeholder engagement would complement the knowledge and expertise already represented on the Board.
“Lauren brings a fresh, forward-looking perspective to the Board, backed by practical experience across different facets of the profession and a clear understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing the next generation of real estate professionals.”
Camphin returns as Chair, Burrett moves into regional role
Ms Brewer’s election was one of three appointments announced following the REIQ’s Annual General Meeting on 30 October, with Peter Camphin returned as General Member Director and Daniel Burrett moving into the Regional Director position.
Mr Camphin will continue as REIQ Chair, a position he has held since 2025, having first joined the Board in 2020.
His real estate career spans almost five decades across Australia and New Zealand, including senior leadership roles within major franchise groups.
His experience includes property management, sales, business ownership and franchise leadership, with a longstanding focus on professional development and business performance.
Mr Burrett, meanwhile, moves from Young Director to Regional Director, having served on the Board since 2024.
A Toowoomba business owner and former REIQ Darling Downs Zone Chair, he brings regional business experience and an interest in digital transformation, industry wellbeing and ensuring the challenges facing regional agencies are considered in Board decisions.
Ms Mercorella said the appointments would provide continuity while introducing new perspectives to the institute’s leadership.
“Daniel has already made a valuable contribution as our former Young Director, and it’s particularly pleasing to see him progress into the Regional Director position, retaining his knowledge while continuing to bring a strong regional perspective to the Board.”
She also welcomed Mr Camphin’s return, saying his extensive industry and leadership experience would remain an important asset to the organisation.
REIQ farewells Andrew Acton
The Board changes also mark the departure of outgoing Regional Director Andrew Acton, who did not renominate for election.
Ms Mercorella thanked Mr Acton for his contribution, particularly his work representing the interests of regional real estate professionals.
“Regional representation is incredibly important to an organisation representing a profession as geographically diverse as ours, and Andrew has helped ensure those perspectives have had a strong voice around the Board table,” she said.
“We sincerely thank him for his contribution and wish him every success.”
The full REIQ Board for 2026
The nine-member Board comprises:
- Peter Camphin – Chair and General Member Director (returning)
- Julie Boyd – Deputy Chair and Non-member Director
- Laura Valenti – Female Director
- Daniel Burrett – Regional Director (formerly Young Director)
- Lauren Brewer – Young Director, under 35 (newly elected)
- Nadine Edwards – Female Regional Director
- Jeff Batten – Non-member Director
- Kerri-Ann Smee – Non-member Director
- Darren Cole – General Member Director
Ms Mercorella said the mix of experience, geographic representation and career stages was important to ensuring the Board reflected the profession it represents.
“Our Board needs to understand the realities of our profession from different vantage points, across generations, career stages, disciplines and geographic areas,” she said.
“Peter, Daniel and Lauren each bring something distinct to the table, and we look forward to their collective contribution as the REIQ continues to advocate for and support Queensland’s real estate profession.”