CEO Anthony Hitt out at Engel & Völkers
Hitt had been with the Germany-based luxury franchisor since 2010. Chief Strategy Officer Stuart Siegel will serve as interim CEO.
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.
Anthony Hitt is stepping down as leader of Engel & Völkers Americas to focus on personal endeavors, the company said.
Chief Strategy Officer Stuart Siegel will serve as interim CEO while the German luxury franchisor seeks a permanent replacement "in the near future."
Hitt has been with E&V since 2010, serving as president and CEO for the past 11 years. He led the expansion of the brand in Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America as well as in the U.S.
"Engel & Völkers has been a very important part of my life, and leading this brand has always been more than simply a job to me. Developing and guiding Engel & Völkers in the Americas has been a true privilege and one of my greatest accomplishments," said Hitt.
The company continued its growth trajectory in the United States in 2023, according to T3 Sixty, which designated Hitt as the 39th-most powerful person in the industry this year. Engel & Völkers' 5,400 American agents did an estimated $17.2 billion in annual sales in 2023, adding a new presence in Washington, D.C., and an expanded presence in Florida, Colorado, California and Pennsylvania.
In October, a judge approved E&V's $6.9 million deal to settle commissions lawsuits.
"Under Anthony's strong leadership, our business has grown successfully and our global network has expanded further. I want to thank him for his outstanding contributions and dedication," said Jawed Barna, Engel & Völkers Group CEO. "Our search for a successor will be focused on identifying the best candidate who will not only be an ideal cultural fit but also bring an unwavering commitment to enthusiastically drive the future growth and success of our business."
E&V also highlighted the experience of Interim CEO Siegel, noting that his career spanned "40+ years in luxury real estate brokerage, consulting, and hospitality," including 15 years as president and CEO of a large global residential brokerage (Sotheby's International Realty).
Engel & Völkers currently operates globally with over 16,500 real estate professionals in more than 35 countries.