Gavin Swartzman takes over as president of Christie’s Real Estate 

Editor's note: As an industry with millions of agents and over 100,000 brokerage companies, new leaders rise to the top every day. Here we highlight executives and other notable leaders who've recently taken on, or stepped away from, roles that influence the residential real estate landscape.

After a brief hiatus from real estate leadership, Gavin Swartzman has joined Christie's International Real Estate as president, the company formally announced today.

Swartzman most recently led Peerage Realty Partners, the No. 10 U.S. brokerage by sales volume, as CEO for more than a decade. In April, Tara Brown moved into the CEO role at Peerage, with the firm stating in a news release that Swartzman had retired.

That retirement appears to have been short-lived. The news of Swartzman's appointment was first shared earlier this month at Christie's annual conference in New York, according to a news release. In a LinkedIn post, Swartzman noted his longtime connection to the Christie's brand through his work with Toronto-based CIRE affiliate Chestnut Park, and offered "a special thank you to my partners and colleagues at Peerage for their support, collaboration and friendship over the years."

As president of Christie's, Swartzman will be focused on the firm's global expansion and strategy. The network currently spans more than 100 affiliates across 50 countries and territories, and is now under the Compass umbrella following the brokerage giant's acquisition of @properties and CIRE, which closed in January. That move, according to Christie's, is "expected to further accelerate growth."

Thad Wong, co-CEO of @properties and CIRE, said Swartzman's appointment was "a dream scenario for the network," noting that his resume and expertise were without equal. "I can't name another leader in this industry who has overseen multiple brokerage firms; has walked in the shoes of our affiliates; has experience with some of the most respected brands in luxury real estate; has an extensive background in M&A; and has managed in both public and private companies," Wong said.

Swartzman replaces former Co-presidents Natalie Hamrick and Kevin Van Eck, who had been in the role since 2023. This is the firm's third presidential shuffle in four years; Chris Lim, now chief growth officer and executive vice president at RE/MAX, was president of CIRE from 2021 to 2023.

SoCal's Pacific Sotheby's appoints a new president

Martha Mosier has moved to San Diego-based Pacific Sotheby's International Realty after a long career at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. 

Pacific Sotheby's is one of the brand's largest franchisees and a Peerage Realty Partners affiliate. The firm serves the Southern California luxury market with more than 600 agents across 18 offices. Mosier's appointment "marks a pivotal moment" for Pacific Sotheby's, the company said in an announcement, as it "continues its evolution into a full-service real estate firm." 

During her 17 years at BHHS California Properties, Mosier held various leadership roles including president and general counsel. Pacific Sotheby's cited her legal expertise as an asset given the recent changes in the real estate industry and the potential regulatory shifts ahead.

Mosier "is representative of the talent and experience that will continue to lead us forward," Peerage Realty Partners CEO Tara Brown said in a news release.

For her part, Mosier said she felt privileged to join the Sotheby's Realty brand. "Our industry is rapidly changing and generating new opportunities for luxury advisors. I am excited to play a part in leading this remarkable enterprise to further success."