No. 1 agent Alexander Phillips is set to open up a Ray White office in Woollahra.
Australia’s No.1 real estate agent Alexander Phillips is set to open a new Ray White office in Woollahra.
The award-winning 45-year-old, who has won the No, 1 title with Real Estate Business for a decade and been a partner at PPD alongside Jason Pantzer and Debbie Donnelley for 13 years, bought Kids Stuff and Steve Costi’s Fish Market in Queen St for $7.25m last December.
“And Ray White Managing Director Dan White is doing the fit out for him,” one reliable source, who wanted to remain anonymous, said.
But it’s understood there has been some argy bargy about the name of the new office, with Phillips wanting it to be called the Alexander Phillips Group, in a similar vein to Gavin Rubinstein’s TRG (The Rubinstein Group).
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Phillips bought 126 and 126A Queen St, Woollahra for $7.25m in December.
“Ray White Managing Director Dan White is doing the fit out for him,” a source claimed.
Phillips, who is tipped to remain as part of the PPD brand until the end of the financial year, had no comment when contacted. Dan White has also been approached for comment.
The PPD website describes Phillips as “the best in the business”.
It goes on to say he has held his place as the No.1 sales agent in Australia for 10 consecutive years from 2016 to 2025, according to Real Estate Business, with more than 200 sales annually across the east. He has been particularly strong on the eastern beaches.
Few could argue that bringing him and his team of four agents and two support staff into the Ray White stable is a major coup for the brand.
TRG founder and Ray White’s No.1 principal Gavin Rubinstein, who continues to have a Woollahra office although his headquarters is now in Rose Bay, said: “If it happens cool, it would be awesome.
“High tide raises all boats, I’m not across it, I stay in my lane, but if he ends up at Ray White it will be great for the broader company.
Jason Pantzer, Alexander Phillips and Debbie Donnelley in 2013 when they set up PPD, previously known as Phillips Pantzer Donnelley. Picture: John Appleyard
Phillips (left) with real estate mates Mitchell Lambert, Ivan Bresic and Adrian Oddi on holidays last winter in the South of France. Source: Instagram
“I support every decision Dan makes, he’s one of the smartest people I know.”
Rumours have been flying within the industry about Phillips’s plans for months, with one source saying he was unhappy with PPD’s recent focus on property management.
“Alex just wants to sell houses,” the source said.
Another said: “I heard a few weeks ago there was trouble in paradise, but then I thought he’s got his own brand, he doesn’t need Ray White, but there you go.”
Phillips had started out as an assistant 24 years ago and, when contacted, Donnelley denied there was any animosity with Phillips saying: “I wish him all the very best with his new venture.
“We had a successful partnership for a very long time but that’s come to an end.”
She said that PPD was “powering on”, signing up Christian West and Daniel Cachia as partners recently.
Jason Pantzer said: “I 100 per cent agree with Debbie, there’s been no dispute, we’ve been business partners for 17 years and it’s just run its course.
“I wish Alex every success and he’s currently still a shareholder in the PPD property management business.
“I’m pretty excited about the prospects of PPD moving forward, we’ve merged with Ray White Unlimited Bondi Beach, with Charlie Beaumont and Conrad Panebianco running that office with Ron Baeur.
“We’ll be 2000 landlords strong, our business is strong and we’re excited about the future.”
The trio had all worked together previously at Goodyer Donnelley, deciding to set up PPD, then known as Phillips, Pantzer Donnelley, in 2013.
Pauline Goodyer set up her own agency, and has now, incidentally, decided to join Sothebys.
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