People Roundup: REA Group, Bien'Ici, Aviv Group, Adevinta, Homelike and Compass

This week's people roundup starts with one of the biggest CEOs in the world leaving one of the biggest portal operators in the world...

REA Group CEO Owen Wilson announces retirement

Owen Wilson, CEO at the Australia-based REA Group, has announced his imminent retirement. Wilson has spent a decade at the ASX-listed market leader and the past six years as CEO.

REA's announcement said:

REA Group Ltd (ASX:REA) advises that Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Owen Wilson has informed the Board of his intention to retire from full time executive roles in the second half of 2025 after 10 years with REA, and 6 years as CEO. The Board of REA congratulates Mr Wilson on a dynamic and highly successful tenure as CEO, underscored by strong financial performance and transformative growth. The Board has initiated a comprehensive process to select a new CEO evaluating both internal and external candidates. Mr Wilson will remain with the business to ensure a smooth and orderly transition.

Wilson's retirement was announced the same day as REA Group posted strong half-year results for the 2025 financial year. Commenting on his departure, Wilson said:

"It has been a privilege to lead REA Group for the past six years and I am proud of all our team has accomplished. The business is in excellent shape as evidenced by the results we have announced today. We have an exciting strategy and a talented and committed team to deliver it. I want to thank them wholeheartedly for all the tremendous support I have received over the years. REA’s future is undeniably exciting. I would also like to thank the REA Board, Robert Thomson, and Lachlan Murdoch for entrusting me with such a great company and incredible business."

REA Group Chairman, Hamish McLennan said:

"After more than ten glorious years at REA Group, Owen has decided to retire. His stellar leadership leaves the company exceptionally well-positioned and REA is one of the best home-grown technology companies which has
flourished into being a global leader. Our board and staff sincerely thank Owen for his contribution in building an incredible organisation under his outstanding leadership."

News Corp CEO, Robert Thomson commented:

"Owen has shown extraordinary leadership in building a global success story at REA, which has become the gold standard for digital platforms. He has fashioned a dynamic, talented team and cultivated a competitive, empathetic culture. Owen’s positive influence will resonate for many years to come."

Bien'Ici boss leaves as replacement already announced—and new president also named

Bien'Ici has announced a major management change, with Cyril Janin leaving the business to be replaced by Didier Monnet. Janin leaves after three years as General Manager, while Monnet was promoted from within after joining the business in 2020.

Meanwhile, the agent-owned portal has also announced the appointment of David Benbassat—who helped found the business ten years ago—as president of Bien'ici.

A post on Journal de l'Agence said:

At the dawn of its 10th anniversary, the ad portal created by and for professionals and firmly established in the Top 3 real estate ad portals, is accelerating its development. To maintain its rank, Bien'ici is changing its governance. The general meeting of shareholders thus validated on January 30, 2025, the appointment of David Benbassat as president of Bien'ici.

With his experience from the launch of Bien'ici and his strategic vision, David Benbassat will help guide the company towards new horizons and achieve the objective of becoming the leader in real estate portals in France.

Caroline Evans de Gantès departs Aviv Group after four years

Caroline Evans de Gantès is stepping down as chief commercial officer (CCO) of Aviv Group after two years in the role and four years with the company.

Reflecting on her tenure, she wrote on LinkedIn, "Much progress has been made to realize our mission to unlock everyone’s perfect place and much work remains, but I am proud of our efforts at Groupe SeLoger and Meilleurs Agents and Plato.immo to make the experience of buying, selling, and renting real estate simpler, more fluid, and more transparent."

De Gantès joined Aviv Group in 2021 as managing director of Groupe SeLoger, later becoming managing director of Aviv France. In 2023, she moved to a role as AVIV Group CCO, overseeing sales and marketing across Germany, Belgium, and France.

Looking ahead, she shared, "It is time for me to step aside and look to build a next, great European tech story."

She also expressed confidence in her successor, "The future of Aviv France is bright with Baptiste Capron taking the reins."

Aviv Group, which operates major real estate marketplaces in France, Germany, and Belgium, was acquired last year by private equity firms KKR and CPP Investments in a €10 billion deal.

Another departure at Adevinta as Investment Director leaves

Adevinta continues to shrink its footprint, with Jordi Iserte, investment director at Adevinta's venture capital arm Adevinta Ventures departing.

According to Iserte's LinkedIn profile, he publicly left the business at the start of this month.

"It’s time to close this chapter," said Iserte's post. "What a privilege it’s been to share this adventure with the Adevinta Ventures team."

Adevinta is in the process of being broken up into bite-sized pieces with plans for a major sell-off in the next few years as the consortium led by private equity firms Blackstone and Permira (that acquired it last year) look for a return on their $14 billion investment in 2024.

Homelike executive leaves after six years

Homelike executive Samuel Toribio has left the European flexible living platform Homelike after six years at the company.

Toribio joined the company in February 2019 as the Country Manager for Spain before eventually being promoted four times to Head of Europe in June 2023.

Posting on Linkedin, Toribio said:

"After six years, the time has come for me to bid farewell to Homelike. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Christoph [Kasper, Homelike co-founder] and Dustin [Figge, Homelike co-founder] for their unwavering belief in me and their support.

Compass executive leaves after nearly 10 years

Justin D’Adamo has left his role as director of new developments at US brokerage firm Compass, bringing nearly a decade of service at the company to a close.

According to Compass' website, the business development marketing group that D'Adamo oversaw has done over $23 billion in sales and rentals.

Compass has already made moves to shape a new-look development team in 2025. In January, the firm hired former Douglas Elliman Development Marketing executive Nikol Solares as its senior managing director of new development marketing.

Compass agreed to acquire @properties and Christie's International Real Estate in December 2024, the third and largest acquisition by Compass in the past year. The deal is expected to close this year.