Our Team
Melissa Karatjas
Armed with the yellow pages a phone and a clunky home computer Melissa established RECD over a decade ago.
Following 12 successful years in property sales and management in Melbourne and the UK, Melissa wanted to give back to the industry that gave her so much. After a tiresome job hunt, Melissa discovered a gap in the market for a quality, personalised and solutions driven recruitment service and so RECD was born.
Melissa’s style embraces the qualities of infectious enthusiasm, being realistic and honest and working in partnership with you to solve your recruitment issues. If you’re a property expert looking for a new job, you will find that you’ll establish a long relationship with Melissa and RECD that will take you through your entire property career. If you’re a company looking for that one in a million staff member, Melissa will introduce your business to candidates you never knew were out there.
A testament to her success and commitment to keeping it simple and doing the right thing, Melissa remains very much hands on recruiting in the business and has retained clients from the beginning and many of those clients have become candidates and vice versa. Just ask Melissa about the number of referrals she receives a week!
RECD is a little different these days, recognised as the leader in Melbourne and with a new office now open in Sydney, no more clunky computers but a slick IT search system, an extensive local and national network of quality property professionals, the philosophy remains the same, delivering quality, personalised solution based recruitment to the agencies and property experts of Melbourne and Sydney.
Melissa Karatjas
Director
03 9949 8290
0402 348 314
melissa@recd.com.au
Fiona Blayney
An industry consultant, coach and trainer, Fiona Blayney, specialises in estate agency business improvement and Strategic Human Resource Development, services in Australia, New Zealand, the U.K and the U.S. Since 2003, she has developed a reputation for being one of the best business strategy specialists around.
Fiona’s energetic and motivational presence has ensured her popularity at industry events. She regularly performs keynote presentations for many of the leading industry groups both in Australia and abroad including, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) in the U.S and the National Association of Estate Agents, England and Scotland.
Her hands on experience in varying markets gives her a unique insight into how top property management businesses and their teams operate. “As a consultant it became clear very early on, Improve people performance to maximise profit”. Recruitment of old is about resource replacement, that’s no longer enough. Strategic Human Resource Development and Talent Management, is the new recruitment concept of the 21st Century, focusing on the vision of the business, the HR strategy to support it and the Talent acquisition to make it happen. A hence was born the revitalised RECD.
With values encompassing Honesty, Transparency, Passion and Results, RECD and Blayney Potential Plus were a natural compliment. “I am excited about the opportunity of RECD Australia for all of our clients and candidates”.
Believe and Achieve is Fiona’s motto. “The word can’t is not in our vocabulary, it’s a matter of how, when and at what cost. To not act then becomes a choice.”
Fiona Blayney
Director
02 8667 7979
0402 401 696
fionablayney@recd.com.au
Trish Payne
Trish is one of the original founding staffers and is now a General Manager at RECD.
With five years of very successful sales and property management experience under her belt, Trish relocated to Melbourne from WA in 2000 and sought to continue and develop her career. Contracting through RECD gave Trish time to find her feet; it also gave her unique insight to the inner workings of the best real estate agencies in Melbourne. When Melissa phoned asking if she would help out at RECD during a busy time, Trish jumped at the new and interesting opportunity presented to her. As it turned out, Trish had a fantastic skill set and more importantly the right attitude for recruitment. It’s this attitude and approach to developing careers that has made her a strong favourite with clients and candidates.
Trish has an exceptional ability to look beyond what a resume says or how a job description reads and discover what motivates and drives people. This allows Trish to make successful, long term placements that other recruiters wouldn’t necessarily see. For Trish it also boils down to demonstrated good attitude and the desire to succeed. Trish’s dedication and longevity in property recruitment sees her as one of the best networked people in the business, give her a call to discuss your needs!
Trish Payne
General Manager – VIC
03 9949 8290
0425 761 467
trish@recd.com.au
David Byrden
Having been involved in Real Estate from a young age, David joined Real Estate Career Developers, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge from all aspects of the industry. Starting his career in Real Estate over a decade ago, David has invaluable knowledge having worked first hand in Property Management, Leasing, Property Valuing and Sales. David understands the importance of finding the right candidate who is culturally the best fit with the experience and skills to complement your business. These credentials combined with David’s easy going nature ensure he is able to provide the best advice and exceptional service every time.
Open and approachable with an honest and genuine manner, David’s commitment to do the best for his clients has seen him develop many long-standing relationships. David’s proven track record,100% dedication and attention to detail is outstanding. Always on hand to offer guidance to his clients, David thrives on doing what he does best – helping people.
David Byrden
Consultant - VIC
03 9949 8290
0402 765 762
david@recd.com.au
Josie Galati
With a positive, can do attitude, Josie has recently joined the RECD Melbourne and is ready for a challenge.
With over a decade in the real estate industry, Josie’s transition into recruitment was a natural progression where she could capitalise on her firsthand experience. With this valuable industry insight and personalised approach, the RECD team knew Josie would be a great fit from the very beginning.
Josie is highly motivated, dedicated and well respected amongst her industry peers. With a natural ability to multitask, Josie gives her all to ensure she provides the highest level of attention to both candidates and clients. Results driven, dependable, loyal and trustworthy are how Josie is described her colleagues.
Josie has held managerial roles in real estate and has been exposed to a range of talent with contrasting attributes. You can trust her to recognise and capture the very best talent when she sees it!
Josie is enjoying guiding and educating candidates on an industry which she holds a great passion for. Clients and candidates enjoy her warm nature, honesty and friendly approach – as do her RECD members! Whether you are seeking your dream role, or sourcing the best new talent for your business, Josie is here to assist.
Josie Galati
Consultant - VIC
03 9949 8290
0413 215 224
josie@recd.com.au
Sharna Bayne
Sharna brings with her fresh ideas and a thorough understanding of the very latest in recruitment processes. She is very excited to join our Melbourne team and assist our valued clients with their talent management strategies.
Sharna’s enthusiasm and passion for recruitment has only grown over her last four years in the industry. Her strong client service and sales background are evident in the way she relates to both candidates and clients. She recognises communication is key in building solid working relationships and ensuring the best possible outcome.
Sharna has a natural ability to build rapport and knows how important it is to gain a thorough understanding of the dynamics of our clients businesses. She prides herself on her attention to detail.
Sharna thrives in a busy environment and you can always trust she will make time to help her clients, candidates, and fellow RECD team members!
Highly experienced with temporary talent, Sharna is here to assist with your short term requirements in addition to permanent placements.
Sharna is friendly and approachable whilst maintaining a highly level of professionalism. She is a very welcome addition to our team.
Sharna Bayne
Consultant - VIC
03 9949 8290
0432 744 944
sharna@recd.com.au
Daniel Gonsalves
With over 10 years of diverse experience in Real Estate in Australia, the United Kingdom and Ireland, Daniel brings a wealth of experience and industry knowledge to RECD – Sydney. A successful 5 years of Real Estate sales experience in the competitive Sydney market opened the door for Daniel to work with some of the biggest names in Real Estate across the world.
Working in Business Development for Foxtons and Marsh & Parsons in London he was later handpicked by Sherry FitzGerald (Ireland’s largest property group) to head up business development and training across their Sales, Lettings, Commercial, 100+ franchises, New Homes and Mortgage businesses. Having trained directors, principals, salespeople and property managers alike through one of Europe’s worst hit property markets in over 50 years, Daniel has an understanding of the true dynamics of a Real Estate office.
Daniel’s exposure to so many different business models and HR solutions allows him to bring a whole new perspective to RECD clients and candidates alike. Determined to make a monumental difference in the Sydney market, Daniel’s focus is on building relationships and finding creative solutions for clients through progressive thinking and drawing on his international experience.
Daniel Gonsalves
General Manager – NSW
02 8667 7979
0421 497 734
daniel@recd.com.au
Elliza Wright
With three years recruitment and HR experience Elliza is the newest member to join the Sydney RECD team. Elliza enjoys working in a boutique, vibrant office in the ever changing world of real estate recruitment and is wholeheartedly committed to ensuring candidates are provided with exceptional customer service.
Elliza is passionate about taking time to truly understand the needs of candidates and identify their long term goals to ensure she places them into the perfect role. Elliza’s friendly and approachable nature coupled with professional approach makes her a trusted career developer.
Elliza Wright
Consultant – NSW
02 8667 7979
elliza@recd.com.au
Jonathon McClay
With a unique skill at matching personalities, Jonathon is our freshest face in the RECD NSW office. He is excited to be able to work with our clients to find the right candidate to add value to both the business they’ll be placed with and the people themselves. Jonathon is personable and genuine in his approach, transparent with his communication, all of which allow candidates and clients to feel comfortable and confident in his ability in the task at hand instantly.
With 5 years of multi-state real estate experience working in businesses of different styles and sizes, Jonathon has a unique view of the Real Estate Industry. “Whilst working as a permanent employee I gained the much needed hands on knowledge for a successful real estate career, but spending time in short term temp assignments gave me a speed course in how diverse our industry really is. With varying cultures, demographics, structures and service offerings, it became obvious the success of a business was heavily influenced by the team. I knew that in joining the RECD team I could combine all of this knowledge and work with people to foster careers and business owners to build their business”.
Jonathon McClay
Consultant – NSW
02 8667 7979
0421 280 465
jonathon@recd.com.au