August/September Business View Magazine

14 15 OPENING LINES KELLER WILLIAMS EXPANDS INTO BELGIUM & LUXEMBOURG K eller Williams, the world’s largest real estate franchise by agent count and the U.S. leader in units and sales volume, is expand- ing globally with newmaster franchises in Belgium and Luxembourg. Regional Operating Principal Olivier Vigneronwill lead franchise growth across both regions.The new master franchises are currently initializing operations and scheduling the launch of future offices,with the first market center to open in Brussels. Keller Williams has now launched in 14 countries across Europe with 79 market centers and almost 3,500 agents in just the last five years.The Europe- an market centers of Keller Williams Worldwide the international division of Keller Williams, have an average agent count of 44 agents per office. “The growthwe are seeing around theworld,and especially in Europe, is nothing short of spectacular,” saidWilliamE.Soteroff,president,KWW.“Nowwe have a phenomenal newleader who is bringing KW’s unique culture into two very special markets perfectly suited for this agent-centricmodel.” Vigneron also serves as the CEO of Brussels, Bel- gium-based B2B Estate, a firm he founded in 1993. B2B Estate is a real estate firm specializing in office space leasing and sales, investment operations and real estate portfolio divestitures.Vigneron is cur- rently integrating the KWmodels and systems as well as launching the region’s growth strategy for Brussels and beyond. “The arrival of Keller Williams in Belgium and Luxembourg marks a virtuous disruption of the market because agents will now be able to become true entrepreneurs, leveraging the brand’s models and systems,” said Vigneron.“We’re currentlymeet- ing with real estate leaders in Belgium and Luxem- bourg to find the best leaders.” Home values continue to increase year over year in both countries as prevailing economic conditions continue to drive strong results for the two markets, he said. KWW is now home to more than 6,500 interna- tional agents, 159 market centers and 31 regions operating outside of the U.S. and Canada. Regions include Argentina; Belgium; Belize; Bermuda; Colombia; Costa Rica; Czech Republic; Dubai,UAE; France; Greater Shanghai, China; Greece; Indone- sia; Israel; Jamaica; Mexico; Luxembourg; Monaco; Nicaragua; Panama; Philippines; Poland; Portugal; Puerto Rico; Romania; Southern Africa; Southern Cyprus; Spain; Turkey; Northern Cyprus; United Kingdom; and Vietnam.