Harcourts appoints Adrian McFedries as chief strategy officer

Adrian McFedries has been appointed Chief Strategy Officer for Harcourts International.

It’s a role he takes over from Gilbert Enoka, who has left to work full time as All Blacks Manager – Leadership. 

Born in Christchurch, Mr McFedries says he grew up with “all things blue” as Harcourts is the largest and most popular real estate group operating in the city.

His new role as Chief Strategy Officer means he will be part of the drive to further Harcourts’ global expansion and focus on growth and support for the existing Harcourts markets.

The real estate group, which was founded in Wellington in 1888, is now operating in ten countries: New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, South Africa, Indonesia, China/ Hong Kong, the United States, Canada, the United Arab Emirates.

Mr McFedries brings a wealth of experience to the role. He most recently invested in, and worked as Managing Director of Jetts Fitness and was instrumental in overseeing the transition of the company from fast-start Australian company to a successful international fitness chain operating in five countries and growing.

He has also been an active investor, board member and advisor to many leading brands, including Flight Centre, Pandora Jewellery, Eagle Boys, Grill’d, OPSM, BUPA, ANZ, Telstra and Hoyts.

This leadership and vision saw him be invited to join the Harcourts International Board seven years ago, a position he has held ever since.

Managing Director of Harcourts International, Mike Green, says that as Harcourts continues to expand in both existing and new markets, the appointment of Mr McFedries will ensure current initiatives around the Harcourts brand, technology, operations and systems will continue to support the wider team around the globe. 

“There is no doubt that Adrian has been an important and valued influence as a Board Member for Harcourts International for the last several years, and we as a leadership team are very excited to welcome Adrian into this pivotal leadership role,” Mr Green says.

“It’s not every day that you can appoint a key member to your leadership team who is already familiar with your values, systems and the “Harcourts way” of doing business, and we are excited about the future, and continuing to deliver exceptional customer service.”

Mr McFedries has a proven track record of leading rapid, profitable growth, and more often than not “changing the game” in industries, particularly for internationally distributed networks.

“My focus in this role with Harcourts International will be on our group strategy, its relevance to our clients, their changing behaviours and how our office owners, sales agents and teams remain the market leaders for results and client connection,” Mr McFedries says.

“On the world stage, Harcourts is an exceptional business and is on the cusp of moving into its next stage of growth internationally as it reaches beyond 10 countries with a disciplined focus.

“The more I’m in business the more you realise it’s all about people, and after seven years on the Harcourts Board, I’m a big believer in all things Harcourts – its values, its culture and its way of doing business – and genuinely enjoy the people.

“I love franchising and the challenge of growth, even more so if the company was founded in my native New Zealand, so I look forward to working with the broader team in this new journey.”