Raine & Horne celebrates 142 years of values on National Family Business Day

On National Family Business Day on Friday 19 September, Raine & Horne, one of Australia’s oldest and most decorated family businesses – is proudly celebrating its 142-year history.

The iconic real estate brand has been in continuous operation since 23 May 1883 and is today led by Executive Chairman Angus Raine, the fourth generation of the Raine family to guide the super brand.

Today, Raine & Horne’s values of integrity, collaboration, innovation, knowledge, reliability and professionalism are reflected in its 350-office Australasian network.

Around 35 of these offices are themselves second-generation family businesses, carrying forward the same principles of trust, resilience and continuity that define the brand.

Mr Raine said, “When you’re looking at a family business that’s been going for well over a century, you tend to look a lot further ahead. Long-standing leadership within family businesses ensures stability and consistency of service and business values, which is why our principals continue to trust us.”

Raine & Horne’s commitment to family enterprise has been formally recognised, with induction into the Family Business Australia Hall of Fame in 2012, and the Franchise Council of Australia Hall of Fame in 2024, honouring the late Max Raine for pioneering franchising in the 1970s.

Reflecting on the brand’s resilience, Mr Raine added: “Our company has weathered economic downturns, two world wars, and several pandemics, yet it has remained steadfast, thriving under successive generations of my family.”

Despite its long history, Raine & Horne is recognised for its forward-looking culture. In 2017, it became the first Australian real estate brand to launch an AI-powered social media marketing platform, Amplify.

“We treat the company like it’s a 142-year-old startup. We feel that it’s always best to look to tomorrow,” Mr Raine said.

Strong governance and succession planning underpin 142-year success

Succession planning and treating the family business with a corporate mindset have been central to Raine & Horne’s success and longevity.

Mr Raine noted that the firm engaged external consultants during the leadership transition from his father in 2006 and has, for decades, relied on experienced non-family CEOs, including current Chief Executive Chris Nicholl.

“As a family, we realised we didn’t have a monopoly on good ideas – we’re not that egotistical.

“We run Raine & Horne with a rigorous strategic plan and clear KPIs. Importantly, we’ve taken the emotion out of decision-making, because letting emotion drive decisions is one of the biggest traps for family businesses.”

Ethics also remain central. “Doing business ethically is a value we’ve always lived by. You could say it is honesty or integrity, and treating everyone equally, but we think of it as ‘doing the right thing’.”

Family values at the forefront of Raine & Horne Double Bay/Bondi Beach success

The Raine & Horne Group is also home to many multi-generational family business success stories including the network’s flagship office, Raine & Horne Double Bay/Bondi Beach.

Led by Ric Serrao, consistently recognised among Australia’s best real estate agents, the office traces its roots to the late 1960s when it was first launched by Max Raine.

Today, the tradition continues with Ric’s wife, operations manager Lucy Apoyan, and his sons Christophe and Matthew, who are all integral members of the award-winning sales team.

“National Family Business Day is a chance to acknowledge the generations of hard work, resilience, and dedication that go into running a family-owned business, which are values we live every day at our Double Bay/Bondi Beach office,” Mr Serrao said.

“But for us, "family" goes well beyond bloodlines. Everyone who works here, whether they share our surname or not, is treated like family.

We support each other, push each other to grow, and celebrate each other's wins — both personal and professional. That sense of unity is what makes this day especially meaningful.”

Mr Serrao continued, “There’s a deep trust that comes from working with people who genuinely care, not just about the business, but about each other.

Working with Lucy and our sons is a privilege, but what makes our business truly special is the team we’ve built around us. Our office is filled with people who share our values, commitment, and work ethic — and many of them have been with us for years.

Mr Serrao added that being part of Raine & Horne – itself a fourth-generation family enterprise – is both comforting and empowering, as it connects his office to a larger story where family values remain at the heart of the brand. “That alignment creates a strong sense of unity and shared culture across the network.

“For our team, it means being backed by a brand that truly understands what it means to care deeply about people, reputation, and community, just like we do in our own office,” Mr Serrao added.

A family business within the family business in Tasmania

When Ron Brooks took on the Raine & Horne Tasmania master franchise in 1993, the brand had a single office in the Hobart CBD.

Over the decades, Ron expanded the network significantly, establishing Raine & Horne Hobart and Raine & Horne Commercial Hobart, along with offices in Kingston, Bellerive, Sorell, Dunalley, Orford, and the Northern Suburbs.

Reflecting on the journey, Mr Brooks said: “We were looking for a name that was respected in Tasmania, and Australia-wide, and Raine & Horne ticked that box. We have since built the business under the Raine & Horne banner, and it has served us well – and we have been pretty good for them too.”

Today, Mr Brooks works alongside his sons, David and Paul. “Basically, it means I can’t retire,” Ron said. “They’re doing their thing, and they keep me motivated. The Raine & Horne brand also gives us a strong base for our office with plenty of listings. We’re now proud to be the biggest land sellers in Hobart.”

The Brooks family’s success has also been recognised nationally. At the 2023 Raine & Horne National Awards, David Brooks won Gold for Top Salesperson (Number of Sales),while Raine & Horne Darwin, where Ron has held a significant stake since the office opened in 2006, has collected two Silver awards and a Bronze in the National Top National Office category.

“This underlines the synergy of having strong offices in Australia’s smallest capital cities, with Darwin a natural northern counterpoint to Hobart,” Mr Brooks said.

Family drives Raine & Horne Business Sales’ success

Family businesses represent 70% of all Australian companies, employ half of the nation’s workforce, and generate an estimated $4.3 trillion in wealth.

For Melanie Winter, who works alongside her father Simon Winter at Raine & Horne Business Sales and Raine & Horne Commercial South Australia, family enterprise is not just a statistic—it’s a way of life.

“Not only are we a family business, but much of what we do is selling family businesses,” Ms Winter said. “That dual experience gives us an understanding of our clients that is second nature.

When 70% of the businesses we deal with are family-run, it has a huge impact on how we build trust and guide clients through important transitions.”

For Ms Winter, working with family provides an aligned foundation. “Our values are always consistent. There’s no debate about how we want to operate or treat our staff and clients. We’re on the same page, which means clarity, continuity, and consistency flow through everything we do.”

Being part of the larger Raine & Horne family strengthens this culture further. “People know the Raine family and the leadership of Angus Raine. That gives our staff and clients enormous confidence in the brand. There’s a sense of strength and legacy that flows from the top right through the network.”

When it comes to advice for other family businesses, Ms Winter points to the importance of clarity and respect for different skills. “Where family businesses stumble is often a lack of appreciation for each other’s strengths. Within our own business, we make sure roles are clearly defined.

“For example, one generation may be more attuned to technology and digital tools, while another brings decades of business ownership experience. Respecting those differences is key.”

External input is equally important. “We ensure senior staff outside the family are part of our management meetings. That balance is essential, as you don’t want to be blindsided or miss something important.”