Mark Stewart has been appointed CEO of One Agency, as ownership of the international real estate network passes from founders Paul and Annie Davies to four of its longstanding members.
Mark is joined by Matthew Crockett, Aaron Blackburn and Adam Martin as the new owners and custodians of One Agency, which operates more than 120 independent real estate businesses across four countries.
The four have built their own multi-office business within the network since 2017.
The transition marks a significant moment for Paul Davies, whose career in real estate spans more than five decades and who has spent almost 20 years building One Agency into its current international footprint.
Paul said keeping the network’s future in the hands of people who had experienced the model firsthand was central to the decision.
“It was important to us that One Agency’s next chapter be led by people who genuinely understand the model and what makes us unique,” he said.
“Mark, Matthew, Aaron and Adam know One Agency because they have lived it. They have built their own success within the network and understand firsthand the freedom and independence our model was created to provide,” he added.
One Agency was established as an alternative to the traditional franchise model, allowing independently owned businesses to operate under an international brand while retaining greater control over their operations and economics. Paul said those foundations would stay in place under the new ownership.
“Our flat-fee model is not changing and the independence our members value is not changing,” Paul said. “What is changing is the level of ambition and investment Mark and his partners will bring to the next phase of One Agency’s growth.”
Mark described the new ownership group’s role as one of protecting and strengthening the network.
“We see ourselves first and foremost as custodians of One Agency,” he said.
“We have benefited from this model ourselves for almost a decade, so we understand exactly why independence, autonomy and the economics of the model matter so much to members. Our job now is to protect those foundations while investing in the tools, technology, resources and support that can help One Agency businesses become even stronger.”
Mark said the transition also reflected the potential of the network’s model for its members.
“We joined One Agency as members and used the platform to build and grow our own business,” he said. “To now have the opportunity to help lead the network into its next chapter is something we take very seriously.”
Paul and Annie Davies will remain connected to One Agency and continue supporting the new leadership team.
The new leadership team will begin engaging with One Agency members across Australia and internationally over the coming weeks, with further initiatives and investment in member tools, technology, resources and support expected to be announced as the new ownership takes effect.