REA Group has announced that former chief executive and long-serving director Tracey Fellows will step down from its board on 13 November 2026, with Realtor.com CEO Damian Eales appointed to replace her.
Ms Fellows joined REA Group in August 2014 as chief executive and remained on the board when she stepped down from the executive role in January 2019.
Her departure brings to an end more than a decade of involvement with the company, during which she played a significant role in its growth and evolution into an international digital property business.
REA Group chairman Hamish McLennan acknowledged her contribution to the company’s growth and strategic direction.
“Tracey has made a substantial contribution to REA over the last 12 years, first as CEO and then, for the last 7 years, as a non-executive director. We are grateful for her expertise, insight and counsel, and extend our thanks to Tracey for her service to REA,” Mr McLennan said.
Ms Fellows joined REA Group after holding senior leadership positions at Microsoft and Australia Post, bringing extensive experience in technology, digital transformation and business management.
During her tenure as chief executive from August 2014 to January 2019, she oversaw significant growth in REA Group’s Australian operations and helped drive its expansion into international markets, including India and North America.
Her leadership coincided with a period in which the company broadened its business beyond traditional property advertising, investing in property data and financial services while expanding its digital real estate interests.
Under her leadership, realestate.com.au strengthened its position as one of Australia’s leading property platforms, while REA Group expanded its international operations and diversified its services.
After leaving the chief executive role in January 2019, Ms Fellows became President of Global Digital Real Estate at News Corp, continuing to oversee major international property platforms while retaining her position on the REA Group board.
She held that role until 2022 and has since continued to serve on boards across the technology, digital marketplace and retail sectors.
Her directorships have included Swedish property platform Hemnet, Swiss Marketplace Group and Woolworths Group, reflecting her experience across international digital businesses.
Before joining REA Group, she was Executive General Manager of Communication Management Services at Australia Post, following senior roles at Microsoft that included Managing Director of Microsoft Australia and Vice President for Asia Pacific.
Realtor.com CEO Damian Eales joins the board
REA Group has confirmed that Damian Eales will join its board on 14 November 2026, one day after Ms Fellows’ departure.
Mr Eales has been Chief Executive Officer of Move, Inc., the operator of US property portal Realtor.com, since 2023.
He brings experience across the retail, banking, media and technology sectors, having previously held senior executive positions including Chief Operating Officer, Publishing at News Corp Australia and Executive Vice President and Global Head of Transformation at News Corp in New York.
Mr McLennan welcomed the appointment, pointing to Mr Eales’ existing relationship with REA Group through Realtor.com.
“I am delighted to welcome Damian to the Board. He is already well known to REA through his role as CEO of Realtor.com. His experience and perspectives will be valuable, and his North American insights will provide an extra dimension to the Board,”
Mr McLennan said.
Mr Eales will stand for election by shareholders at REA Group’s 2027 Annual General Meeting.
The board transition marks the departure of one of the executives closely associated with REA Group’s expansion over the past decade, while bringing additional experience from the US digital property market to the company’s leadership.