Damian Collins elected new REIWA President

Damian Collins has been elected as the new president of the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia (REIWA).

Collins will follow Hayden Groves, who announced he was stepping down last week.

Lisa Joyce from Joyce Property Investments was elected deputy president.

 Collins has served on the REIWA Council since 2011 and as deputy president since 2015.

He is the founder and managing director of Momentum Wealth, a Perth-based property investment consultancy, and chairman of commercial property funds management business, Mair Property Funds.

“It is an honour to be elected President and I thank Council for bestowing me with the privilege of representing the Institute on behalf of its members,” Collins said.

“I would also like to thank Hayden Groves for his hard work and dedication to the Institute during his tenure as President.

“The Council and I are dedicated to continuing to build upon REIWA’s 100 year legacy of advocating on behalf of our members and the WA public.

“The WA marketplace remains a challenging environment for agents and vendors alike and there is much work to be done as our local market begins its recovery.”

At REIWA’s 100th Annual General Meeting last month, Hayden Groves announced he would be finishing his three year term.

Mr Groves, who will remain on the REIWA Council, was elected as President in 2015 having served on the Council since 2010.

“The past three years have been extremely rewarding and I thank the Council and REIWA members for entrusting me with the role over the past three years.

“My tenure as President has marked a very challenging time for the WA property market. We’ve seenstate migration slow, less demand from buyers and tenants, increased stock levels and subdued transactional activity.

“Somewhat unusually, no sector of the market has been spared the malaise, although tenants and buyers have benefited from improved affordability. Thankfully the worst appears to be behind us and I am hopeful a recovery is on the horizon.

“I look forward to continuing my service on REIWA’s Council, confident we will continue to build on all that REIWA has achieved over the past 100 years,” Mr Groves said.

The AGM also saw the results of the ballot for Council positions announced, with all four re-nominating Councillors returned to their positions.

REIWA’s Council includes:

• Suzanne Brown (Rentwest) [Re-elected]

• Damian Collins (Momentum Wealth)

• Hayden Groves (Dethridge Groves)

• Lisa Joyce (Joyce Property Investments)

• Peter Lawrance (Avanti Residential) [Re-elected]

• Brett Thorp (Thorp Realty)

• Rory Trotter (Force Real Estate) [Re-elected]

• Krys Tully (Tully Real Estate) [Re-elected]

• Joe White (JMW Real Estate)

Council will elect office bearers, including the new REIWA President, when they meet on Thursday.