Adelaide-based entrepreneur Nikki Katz has become the first woman in Australia to be inducted into the Real Estate Institute of Australia’s (REIA) Hall of Fame, marking a groundbreaking moment for the business broking industry.
The prestigious Hall of Fame honour is reserved for individuals or businesses who have won their REIA category three years in a row.
Katz, however, has surpassed that benchmark, having been named REIA National Business Broker of the Year five times.
“This Hall of Fame award means so much to me. It is a symbol of more than just success – it marks a shift in who leads, who innovates, and who defines the future of business broking in Australia,” Katz said.
Katz is known for disrupting traditional business sales practices with an investor-first model that has reshaped the sector.
“I begin with the investor, not the inventory — sourcing capital and strategic buyers first, then I identify the right businesses for acquisition,” she said.
Unlike the conventional listings-based method, her strategy mimics a matchmaking service, resulting in faster, more strategic deals.
Originally from Scotland, Katz moved to Australia 13 years ago and is now director of The Business Sales Agency, overseeing three national brands:
“They told me it couldn’t be done—running multiple brands, operating nationally from Adelaide, and disrupting a male-dominated industry with conservative processes that didn’t match the business landscape. But I did it anyway,” Katz said.
Beyond her businesses, Katz plays a key leadership role in shaping the industry.
She is the chair of the South Australian chapter of the Australian Institute of Business Brokers (AIBB), a former Chair of AIBB’s education committee, and a former national board member.
Her work has helped elevate professional standards and training for brokers nationwide.
REIA president Leanne Pilkington praised Katz’s induction as a pivotal moment for the broader real estate sector.
“Nikki Katz’s induction into the REIA Hall of Fame is not only a recognition of her outstanding achievements, but a landmark moment for our industry,” Pilkington said.
“Her innovative, client-first approach has redefined what business broking can look like in Australia. Nikki’s success demonstrates the power of challenging convention, and she now stands as an inspiration for the next generation of leaders—especially women—across the real estate and business sectors.”
The 2025 REIA National Awards for Excellence, held this year in Adelaide, served as a fitting backdrop to celebrate Katz’s achievements in the city she now calls home. The event rotates annually among capital cities and showcases the best in Australian real estate excellence.
