Welcome back to REA, Susie Worthington

Susie, what are you most excited about now that you're back at REA?
Returning to REA has felt like I'm back where I belong. I'm so excited to be back in an environment that not only has an incredible culture but also challenges me in ways I didn't expect and pushes me out of my comfort zone. The people here are some of the most talented and creative individuals I've ever worked with. Just being around them inspires me and makes me eager to contribute and grow.

With your time away from REA, what did you miss? Did you discover any new skills or perspectives that you're excited to bring back to your role at REA?
What I missed the most was the thought-provoking conversations and the strong sense of connection with the people I work with. I really value the balance of competitive spirit coupled with generous knowledge sharing, where everyone is pushing and encouraging each other to be better. My time away was an unexpected journey, where I delved into working in both construction and furniture making. This hands-on experience taught me a lot about practical problem-solving and really brought home the point that there's no single way to tackle a challenge. I discovered the importance of flexibility and exploring different approaches to find what works best. After my time away it's been exciting to bring this fresh perspective back to REA and see how it can work with the team's innovative culture.

How would you describe your experience at REA?
The culture here is pretty special and honestly like nothing I've experienced anywhere else. There's a balance of high expectations and a genuine care for people that creates an environment where everyone is motivated to do their best. It's a place where I've grown a lot, both professionally and personally. I feel constantly challenged but also fully supported, which has allowed me to take risks and stretch myself.

Does anything stand out to you as being different now to your last experience with us?
The thing that really stood out to me was seeing so many familiar faces still at REA who I worked with 5 years ago. It's great to see so many of them have grown and progressed into new roles. Whilst the culture and many of the people have remained the same, REA has evolved to include many new services and products. There is an even stronger focus on creating an end-to-end seamless experience for customers and this shows through our product offering and the way we've structured teams to foster more collaboration and service our customers more holistically.

Are there any personal or professional goals you've set for yourself since your return to REA?
Professionally, I'm aiming to excel in my role and build my brand as a Specialist. I'm also challenging myself to lean in and take advantage of all opportunities to grow and learn. Personally, I am channelling my construction skills into a passion project and am fully renovating my house. It has been really rewarding so far and I'm excited to see it all come together.

Any tips you can share on how you made your return to REA? How did you start the conversation?
My journey back to REA started when I saw a LinkedIn post from my former people leader about a role that had opened in his team. I reached out to him and had an honest chat about whether the role would be a good fit for me and if I would be a good fit for the team. Having the opportunity to discuss the evolution of the business over the past five years and ask questions really helped me in making a smooth transition and gave me the confidence to dive back in.