Leah Kirk is stepping into business ownership, taking over Ray White Whyalla next month as current owners Darren Sherriff and Prue Duka step back to enjoy retirement.
Leah has been with the Ray White brand for nearly 11 years, bringing 13 years of total real estate industry experience to the role.
Born and raised in Whyalla, her family has called the community home for more than 60 years.
“I’m Whyalla born and bred…I went to school here, and my family has been part of this community for decades,” she said.
“For me, real estate has always been about helping people.”
Before moving into real estate, Leah worked in the legal sector, starting her property career as a receptionist and building up from there.
“Taking on ownership of the business is a natural progression and an absolute privilege,” she said.
Leah has set out plans for her first year in charge.
“The next 12 months include scaling up local sports club sponsorships, participating in local charitable drives, and introducing streamlined in-room and online auction options to offer vendors and investors a unique point of difference in the local market,” she said.
Her husband, Jamie, also a Whyalla local and licensed agent, will join the agency to lend his auctioneering expertise to the business.
Matt Lindblom, Ray White South Australia CEO, praised the outgoing owners while backing the new leadership.
“Darren and Prue have built a fantastic business, and we are deeply grateful for their leadership over the years,” Matt said.
“Leah and Jamie bring the perfect blend of local passion, modern strategy, and expertise to carry that legacy forward.”
“We are thrilled to support them as they grow the business.”
Matt described Leah’s growth within the network over the past 11 years as a testament to her dedication and hard work.
“Seeing Leah’s career grow and excel within our network, then step up into business ownership is incredibly pleasing to see, and I have no doubt she is the right person to lead the Whyalla team going forward,” he said.
Leah said she and Jamie wanted to build on the foundation left by the outgoing owners.
“We want to build on the strong foundation Darren and Prue created while bringing fresh energy, modern marketing strategies, and even deeper community connections to Whyalla,” she said.