Blog / Leadership
Remembering Alan White
The inspired second generation leader of the family owned Ray White Group.
It's not often that a family is lucky enough to have the opportunity to recognise an extraordinary contribution made by an earlier family leader who built upon a fabulous company foundation.
An opportunity arose at Ray White’s 110th Anniversary Celebrations held recently at the site of the birthplace of the Group in a tiny town called Crows Nest - just north of Toowoomba, Queensland. There, in front of 500 Ray White Group members, we had the opportunity to reflect on Alan White’s pivotal contribution to the growth of the company, and to pay homage to him on the 5th year since his death. Alan White was a teenager during the depression years. He heard the stories of his father, Ray White, describing how sales could only be made through "trades"
- with bank finance virtually impossible to obtain! The depression years impacted upon an entire generation. It was a time of fear, uncertainty and of deprivation. That fear would influence so many people for the rest of their lives
So Alan, after returning from the Second World War and becoming the leader of the business, had quite a job ahead of him. The war years were tough on all businesses - all companies needed new energy post the war and Alan was the perfect man for it. Possessing fabulous marketing and selling skills, as well as being an extraordinary auctioneer, Alan led the Ray White office to its preeminent position in Brisbane.
Opportunities to expand became obvious. It’s only now that one realises what fears he must have had each time we wanted to open a new office - was this going one step too far? What happened if another depression returned? Why were we taking such risks? His ability to subjugate those fears becomes increasingly appreciative. His fears were greatly eased by the love he developed for all the people that became members of his family business. He developed a unique insight into how he could bring a sense of belonging, and at the same time to encourage an increase in performance standards and disciplines.
Perhaps Alan's finest moment happened when he received a letter from Andrew Bell (of Ray White's extraordinary business in Surfers Paradise) after he turned 90 years of age. In an act that he had never done before, Alan showed the letter with great pride to many members of his family. It was still open on his desk on his last day, almost a year later.
Dear Alan,
Words can never express, nor describe, what occurred the night earlier this week when you shared the night with us at our monthly meeting.
First of all, Greg and I are extremely honoured that you would afford us the time to travel all the way down to Surfers Paradise to be part of our monthly meeting. I am sure two hours in a limousine was not your idea of a fine night. I want you to know that you made so many people happy that night.
Happy, that they made the decision to join Ray White, happy that they are in a company that has a true culture and happy knowing that their careers are in excellent hands.
I know we talked about how difficult it is for you to grasp the significance of who you are within this Ray White organisation. To all of our new recruits, and even the ones who have been with us 12 and 13 years, you are a source of inspiration and the human face of the cultural heritage of the Ray White Gorup. People were just glowing as they left the evening from the richness of the atmosphere that you created.
Both Greg and I agreed, just as you had drove off from the hotel, that that evening was singly the best night we have ever had for our staff. It will certainly stand out for me as one of the highlights of my time with Ray White.
Thank you once again.
Andrew P Bell - Cheif Exectutive officer, The Surfers Paradise group.
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