The appointment marks a significant shift from local business leadership to a network-wide strategic role focused on driving considered growth and strengthening performance across Barry Plant’s more than 65 offices.
In his new role, Tense Venneri will work closely with directors, support office growth strategies, mentor emerging agents and help build stronger operational connections across the network.
He says the focus is simple but important.
“We’re an exciting network of more than 65 offices backed by a highly respected brand,” Tense said.
“Barry Plant has always felt like a connected business, where everyone comes together to share ideas and learn from and support one another. That collective spirit and real buy-in mean people are invested in protecting the strength and reputation of the brand.”
“It’s a special business and, as Head of Growth, it’s now my role to help it reach its full potential – supporting those within the network to perform at the highest level and welcoming the right people into the business to be part of the journey too.”
Venneri also sees a strong opportunity to apply practical, on-the-ground experience to a broader leadership role, particularly at a time when real estate businesses are navigating constant change.
Barry Plant CEO Lisa Pennell believes that experience is exactly what makes him well-suited to the position.
“Tense’s appointment reflects our need for leadership grounded in recent, high-level, real-world agency experience and because this is a really unique group, someone who deeply understands the Barry Plant way,” Lisa said.
“I was looking for someone who has strong core values and deep ethics, along with a sharp understanding of today’s industry – someone who has been on the tools and truly understands what our offices are dealing with each day, but will also act honestly and transparently to support fair outcomes.”
“Tense has been an exceptionally successful and highly skilled sales agent and business leader for many years, and, even more importantly, he’s an incredible person and part of the fabric of the Barry Plant group. He ticked every box for the Head of Growth role, so this was one of the easiest decisions I’ve ever made.”
Tense originally expected a slower pace after years of running a major regional office, but a conversation with Lisa quickly changed that direction.
His appointment is the culmination of a career that began far from real estate.
Tense left school at 17 and spent 16 years in retail, working as a shoe salesman before moving into management roles across Victoria and New South Wales.
Real estate was not initially part of the plan.
That changed in 1993 when encouragement from friends in the industry led him to take the leap into sales at age 34, with a young family and a commission-based role ahead of him.
“Within six to 12 months, I was thinking, ‘What have I done?'” he said.
“It was difficult, it wasn’t easy, and I had just started a family. It was quite nerve-wracking.”
With support from his wife, he pushed through the early uncertainty, laying the foundation for a career defined by persistence, trust and long-term relationships.
He began at Mildura Real Estate, then the region’s largest independent agency, before becoming a partner just seven years later.
After a later period with another franchise group, Venneri and his partners brought the business into the Barry Plant network in 2010, a move he describes as transformative for the office’s growth over the past 16 years.
One of the most rewarding aspects of his career has been mentoring younger agents and watching them develop.
“I got a lot of satisfaction out of bringing the younger generations through and watching them progress,” he said.
“I want to help current offices improve their bottom line, help directors with the challenges of running a business, and assist agents coming through the system.”
For him, the philosophy remains unchanged despite the change in role.
“Real estate is not about houses, it’s about people,” he said.
“You’ve got to earn respect and trust, surround yourself with good people and build a good reputation. That’s always been the most important thing to me.”
Now stepping into a network-wide leadership role, Venneri says the energy is firmly forward-focused.
“I’ve still got the passion,” he said.
“It’s exciting to be looking at it from a different angle now and helping the broader network continue to grow.”