Brisbane-based property technology company SearchX has appointed former Queensland Rugby League CEO Ben Ikin as its new chief executive officer, tasking the ex-rugby league identity with leading a national expansion push across the group's suite of real estate and legal technology businesses.
Ikin, who announced his resignation from the QRL last month, will depart at the end of July after three years at the helm of the state's governing rugby league body, during which he oversaw structural reforms and commercial growth.
He previously served as head of football at the Brisbane Broncos and spent a decade as a television analyst and commentator at Fox Sports.
The new appointment spans the broader PropRT group, which includes SearchX alongside digital transaction platform SignedX, PropRT Conveyancing and financial services arm WealthApp.
SearchX was co-founded by real estate agent Riley Neaton and solicitor Timothy Neville, and positions itself as a platform connecting buyers, sellers, agents and solicitors through a single digital ecosystem.
“Ben is a proven leader with an incredible ability to build high-performing organisations, strong cultures and trusted brands,” says Neaton.
“He understands Queensland, he understands people, and he understands how to lead organisations through periods of rapid growth and transformation.
“As SearchX continues to expand beyond seller disclosure into broader property technology and professional services through the PropRT group, we are excited to have someone of Ben’s calibre leading that journey.”
Neville says the strategic hire signals a new phase for the business.
"We built SearchX to modernise and simplify compliance and property services for the real estate industry,” he says.
“The appointment of Ben as CEO represents a significant step forward as we continue expanding our technology, legal and service offerings through businesses like SignedX, PropRT Conveyancing and WealthApp.
“Ben brings strategic leadership experience at the highest level, and we believe he is the ideal person to lead the business into its next chapter.”
SearchX says the group has experienced significant growth over the past 12 months, providing its automated Form 2 disclosure services to more than 500 agencies and positioning it as one of Queensland's fastest growing property compliance technology companies.
Ikin says he was drawn to the opportunity after closely examining the business created by Neaton and Neville.
“What SearchX has built in a very short period of time is incredibly impressive,” says Ikin.
“The business has identified real problems within the property industry and created technology-driven solutions that are fast, practical and scalable.
“I’m excited to join Riley, Timothy and the wider team to help accelerate the next phase of growth across SearchX and the broader PropRT businesses. There is an enormous opportunity ahead.”
Prior to his corporate career, Ikin played 157 NRL games across stints with the Gold Coast Chargers and North Queensland Cowboys during the 1990s and early 2000s.
Since his football career ended, Ikin has held senior commercial roles and business development roles for companies such as commercial builder Formula Interiors, engineers the Robert Bird Group and the Gold Coast Titans.
When announcing Ikin's planned departure in May, QRL chair Brian Canavan praised the CEO's leadership which he said has "placed the QRL in a very strong position in the sporting landscape".
Ikin plans to remain with the Maroons Foundation following his exit as CEO of QRL next month.
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