NATIONAL real estate agency The Barry Plant Group has appointed Nigel O’Neil as the new CEO, taking over from Mike McCarthy who was at the helm for 18 years.
O’Neil is the current head of strategic growth and will assume the CEO role on 1 July 2021. He has been with the group for over two years, more recently working with the executive team to formulate a strategic plan for the group to 2030 and beyond.
“Barry Plant is a strong brand with a boutique culture,” O’Neil said. “The calibre of franchisee is remarkably high and the quality and depth of support that the head office team provides is really quite unique. I believe we were the only franchise real estate group to significantly cut our franchise fees across our whole group during the first lockdown and that is indicative of the true partnership that exists between the franchisor and franchisee.”
At the same time, current operations manager Doug Hutchinson has been appointed to the newly created role of chief operating officer.
McCarthy will remain with the group as an executive director.
Hutchinson has been with the group for seven and a half years and driven PropTech innovation throughout the group.
McCarthy said it is a good time for a change of CEO.
“I’m not disappearing. I will still be fully involved in the group going forward but it’s the right time to step aside and allow Nigel and Doug to give the business a new level of energy.” McCarthy said.
