NEW HARCOURTS APPOINTMENT TO HEAD DRIVE IN RURAL SECTOR

A new national appointment for Harcourts will see the largest real estate group in New Zealand further drive its expansion in the key rural and lifestyle property sector.

The well-known and respected Kim Shannon has been appointed as National Rural Manager, replacing Colin Dick who recently left after six years building Harcourts' profile and marketshare in the rural sector.

Raised in rural Manawatu, Mr Shannon completed an Agricultural Commerce qualification at Lincoln University before spending time overseas including a year with Barclays Bank in South Africa as an Agricultural Economist.

On his return to New Zealand Mr Shannon worked for the Rural Banking and Finance Corporation in Christchurch for four years during which time he qualified as a Registered Valuer.

In 1988 he entered real estate sales, quickly moving on to a range of management positions then to an appointment as Sales Development / International Portfolio Manager. As well as his sales, project and management experience, Mr Shannon is an experienced auctioneer and currently operates a valuation business.

CEO of Harcourts New Zealand, Bryan Thomson, said the previous rural manager, Mr Dick had played a significant role in building Harcourts' marketshare in the rural sector over the past six years. Harcourts currently enjoyed around 14 percent of the rural / lifestyle property market, with over 150 team members nationwide, and nearly $600 million in sales in the last 12 months.

He added that continued growth in the sector was a key focus for Harcourts, and the group was thrilled to have attracted a person of such high calibre to continue building its rural presence and credibility.

Mr Shannon will be working from his base in Hawkes Bay.