Top Johannesburg realtor, Jason Rohde, has been appointed as the new CEO of Geffen International Realty Franchises, which holds the master licence for the Sotheby’s International Realty brand in SA.

Sotheby's, as an auction house, was founded in 1744. The auction house earned renown as a marketer of some of the world’s most valuable and prestigious art, antiques, jewellery and so forth.

The Sotheby’s International Realty® organisation began in 1976, to serve clients desiring a complete package of estate disposition services. Lew and Sandy Geffen created the base of real estate excellence when they opened their flagship office, Lew Geffen Estates, in 1982 in Johannesburg.

Rohde replaces Brent Townes, who has held the position for the past seven years and will be staying on with the group as CEO of its auction company Savile Row.

Making the announcement today, group chairman Lew Geffen said Rohde had been the directors’ first choice as the new CEO. “Jason has been extremely successful in his own business and brings to the table a thorough knowledge of real estate franchising from both management and franchisee perspectives.

“We are also confident that his energy and fresh approach will speed up the growth of the group.”

Rohde, who co-owns the Sotheby’s International Realty franchises in the Johannesburg North region, said he had been delighted to accept the position, and was determined to make Sotheby’s International Realty the number one real estate brand in SA.

“The group has the rights to what is undoubtedly the best known and most trusted real estate brand in the world and everything about it is world class, from the infrastructure provided for franchisees to the level of agent training. Consequently I see no reason why we should not double our national franchise footprint within the next two years, especially as the property market is already in recovery.”