More than 1300 people gathered for the annual Ray White New Zealand awards held at Spark Arena in Auckland last night to celebrate and recognize the top offices and individual achievers throughout the leading network.
After 25 years, Ray White CEO Carey Smith (pictured above) made the announcement that this would be the last year the prestigious CEO Cup would be awarded.
It was a true celebration of Ray White New Zealand as Mr Smith announced this year’s winner was the entire Ray White New Zealand network.
“I have been truly blessed on our journey over the past 25 years to help steer our direction,” Mr Smith said.
“We are on the cusp of leadership and we should be very proud of what we have achieved over the 25 years, but we should be more proud of our ability to prepare the company and set the platform for the next generation. We are at a new start line ready for a further upward trajectory from our start position of 23.51 per cent in market share.
“We are a company of leadership, teamwork, and collective interest. Leadership is a word reserved for us. Leader – ship. Not leaderless not leader self but leader – ship. Ray White is the ship; we are the leaders.
“The winner of tonight’s CEO Cup award prides themself on being a Ray White member.
“They understand our values, they align with integrity, and they drive for performance and outcomes for their clients. They know that everything they do reflects on our company and our reputation. They strive to enhance our reputation.
“I have/we have relied on this person, and our company has and continues to rely on this person. We rely on this person for what they did yesterday, what they do today and what they will commit to tomorrow.
“Tonight I will tell you that I’m deeply proud of what we have achieved. We have an obligation to each other to ensure the future of our leadership; it is our collective and personal responsibility.
“The CEO Cup award tonight is yours, every one of you.”
Mr Smith announced that over the coming week’s the CEO Cup would travel the network office by office, allowing each team a chance to celebrate, starting at Ray White Remuera the number one international office again in 2022.
The NZ national office of the year award also went to Ray White Remuera for the eighth year running.
In another outstanding achievement, Anton Huang of Ray White Howick was recognised as Ray White New Zealand’s top Residential Salesperson of the Year.
Ray White’s rural and commercial businesses were also recognised for another successful year, with the award for top Rural Salesperson of the Year going to Alan Thorpe of Ray White Gisborne , and the award for Commercial Salesperson of the Year being presented to Paula Raine of Ray White Commercial Christchurch.
The amazing efforts of the network’s property managers was also recognised as Adrienne Douglas of Ray White New Plymouth took out the award for Property Manager of the Year.
Ray White Papamoa’s Jazz Bell took out the award for PA of the Year, and Emma Wilson of Ray White Queenstown won the Administrator of the Year award.
Ray White New Zealand COO Daniel Coulson said he was proud of every member and their achievements in the 2021/22 financial year.
“Well tonight, our largest annual awards dinner, not only signifies the success of our group but recognises the significant separation navigated over recent years and now are able to come together,” Mr Coulson said.
“To our Elite and Chairman Elite business leaders as well as our Elite and Chairman Elite salespeople, you are leaders in our organisation and you are leaders in our industry.
“Over the last 12 months you have navigated significant change and uncertainty.
“Thank you for your trust and confidence in Ray White and the contribution you make to the continued forward momentum of our group.
“We are an organisation that values ambition and determination. That stays true to family values and rewards leadership.
“For that, we are a business of attraction, collectively, we make progress and achieve outcomes.
“To our award winners tonight, congratulations, you make us proud.”