Highland Real Estate recognised for leadership and innovation
Press Release: Harcourts
12 November 2014
Harcourts Highland Real Estate has been recognised as a standout leader in professional services by the Queenstown
Chamber of Commerce.
The real estate franchise, which employs 96 staff and has offices in Queenstown, Dunedin, Balclutha, Wanaka, Cromwell
and Alexandra, was awarded the Excellence in Professional Services Award at the recent 2014 Westpac Queenstown Chamber
of Commerce Business Awards.
More than 300 people attended the glamour event, which celebrates outstanding leadership and vision in business.
Queenstown Chamber of Commerce CEO Ann Lockhart says more entries into the awards were received this year than any
other, and all were of an incredibly high standard.
“All the finalists are true leaders in the Queenstown business community, businesses who lead with innovative thinking,
push the boundaries and succeed in spite of the challenges.”
Queenstown-based Highland Real Estate is Otago’s oldest real estate group and in recent years has grown to be the
region’s largest.
Managing Partner Marie Osborne says it is hugely rewarding for the team to have their efforts to be the best and deliver
outstanding service recognised by the Chamber of Commerce.
She attributes much of their success to the skills and commitment of their highly experienced team and the Highland
philosophy of supporting the community which so generously supports them.
“We are deep-rooted in the community and committed to its development, particularly when it comes to children and young
people,” says Marie.
The group donates over $100,000 of profit annually to local communities – from sports clubs, the WHS Foundation and
Cromwell High School, to Dunedin Hospital’s children’s ward and the Halberg Disability Sport Foundation.
Highland Real Estate is also renowned for its customer service, with 75% of its business coming from referrals from
satisfied clients or repeat business.
“We look after clients by sharing knowledge, having a consultative selling and buying style and delivering exceptional
service. We spend time surveying buyers and sellers to ensure we’re on track and delivering what they need and want,”
Marie says.
Their win of the Excellence in Professional Services Award was judged across several categories including: Leadership
and Planning; Strengths; Results and Sustainability.
Highland Real Estate has grown from five people in 1998 to 96 in 2014, with strong growth across the region.
ENDS