Simon Baker
Simon Baker
Simon Baker is a leading global expert in the field of online classified advertising.
From 2001 through 2008, Simon was the CEO and Managing Director of the Australian listed online real estate company – REA Group Ltd (also know as realestate.com.au).
The REA Group is a leading provider of online real estate sites – operating 22 sites in 10 countries covering residential, commercial and holiday rentals. In addition, the REA Group owns a suite of back office applications and print publications.
During his time at the REA Group, Simon grew revenues from $4m in FY 2001 to $155m in FY 2008 and grew EBITDA from -$6m in FY 2001 to $37m in FY 2008. Most importantly, Simon delivered great returns for the shareholders by increasing the market capitalistion from $8m in June 2001 to over $600m in in June 2008.
Some of the other KPIs driving the growth of the business were:
* Unique visitors increased from ~250k in June 2001 through 8m+ in June 2008
* Paying customers increased from 1,200 in June 2001 through 24,000+ in June 2008
* Employees increased from 25 in June 2001 through ~750 in June 2008
Helping drive this growth was 15 acquisitions between 2003 and 2008.
The REA Group is now seen as the global leader in online real estate marketing.
Prior to becoming the CEO of realestate.com.au in 2001, Simon was the Chief Business Development Officer at News Corp in Australia and was responsible for the investment by News Corp in to the realestate.com.au L:td business.
Prior to this, Simon was the Chief Technology Officer at a US start up – naturalhealthlink.com and he spent 5 years with McKinsey and Co in Australia. He has an MBA from the Melbourne Business School and a BSc (Comp Sci) from Monash University.
