A core focus at Buxton is the continuous growth and forward-thinking strategies for navigating the ever-evolving landscape of real estate.

Our 2025 Leadership Retreat, themed “Where Success Leaves Clues”, took place against the breathtaking backdrop of New Zealand, renewing our curiosity for ways to better serve the communities we’re proud to call home.

“Success doesn’t happen by chance; it’s built on the strategies, and decisions that drive progress.” – Marcus Williams

A Gathering of Leaders and Innovators

This year’s retreat gathered 63 of Buxton’s Directors for an inspiring experience centred on enhancing leadership skills and exploring cutting-edge ideas around artificial intelligence and redefining success.

Packed with industry-leading speakers and engaging discussions among our leaders, the event provided a valuable opportunity for our team to not only pause and delve into new ideas but use as a springboard for what’s next.

Key Insights from Our Speakers

·      Gilbert Enoka, All Blacks Leadership Manager
Gilbert’s leadership masterclass challenged us to think deeply about the roles we play as leaders, both in our professional and personal lives. His key message was to “be where your feet are,” a reminder to stay present in all aspects of life - from family relationships to our roles as leaders.

·      Martin Cooper, MD, Harcourts Cooper & Co.
Martin’s session on attracting and retaining top talent resonated with us all. His question, “Would I like to be led by me?” encouraged us to examine our own leadership styles and continually strive to be better.

·      Dr. Sarah Bell, Director of Strategic Partnerships, MRI Software
Dr. Bell’s thought-provoking insights encouraged us to pause and reflect on the big questions of business: Why do we exist? How do we behave? Are we living bravely? These reflections will help shape our future as leaders.

·      Neil Saligrama, 1Bill Holdings
Neil shared his inspiring journey from humble beginnings to success, teaching us the power of resilience and a clear conscience. His advice to always fall forward in the face of adversity was a powerful reminder of the importance of perseverance.

·      Nick West, Rise Initiative
Nick got us thinking about our leadership styles - whether we are appointed, accepted, or adored – and how to move from survive, to strive, to thrive, and ultimately to alive.

·      Seth Watts, Campaign Agent
Seth’s deep dive into AI gave us practical tools to better understand our clients and make smarter, more efficient decisions in all areas of our business. This was a forward-thinking approach to leveraging technology to enhance our services.

Looking Forward

We are incredibly thankful to our speakers for challenging our thinking and sparking conversations within our network. Ultimately our time together unified our leadership team and reinforced us as a group in motion, with the lessons propelling us forward.