New York-based Sotheby’s International Realty has appointed real estate industry veteran Mark McLaughlin as its president and chief executive officer, effective November 1, with longtime leader Philip White moving into the role of executive chairman.
Sotheby’s made the announcement on Thursday while celebrating its 50th anniversary and seeks to expand its global presence.
White will focus on strengthening the luxury real estate brand’s international network and its relationship with Sotheby’s auction house, while McLaughlin will be looking after the company’s daily operations.
Under White’s leadership, Sotheby’s International Realty became a giant in the luxury property segment, growing its network to more than 1,100 offices across 86 countries and territories.
The brand, as of October 2026, also operates nearly 170 company-owned brokerage offices in major global metropolitan and resort markets.
White joined the company in 1980 and became the CEO in 2004. During his four-decade career, he has served as a broker, brokerage manager, affiliate owner, and senior executive.
Reflecting on the transition, White said McLaughlin was well equipped to lead the company into its next phase of growth, adding that the brand’s 50th anniversary offered an opportunity to consider its future development.
McLaughlin brings more than 30 years of experience building, operating, and advising real estate brokerages. He served as chief executive of Pacific Union International from 2009 to 2018, overseeing 12 mergers and acquisitions while growing the business to USD 14.1 billion in sales volume.
That expansion made Pacific Union the fifth-largest real estate brokerage in the United States by sales volume before Compass acquired it in August 2018.
Apart from steering the growth of Pacific Union International, McLaughlin has also advised senior executives at major residential brokerage firms on domains like business growth, consolidation, and operational efficiency.
McLaughlin expressed his honor in leading the brand, highlighting its unique status in the luxury real estate industry. He also emphasised the importance of learning from the company’s network as it develops its next phase of growth.
Sotheby’s International Realty said the leadership transition reflects a shared commitment by White and McLaughlin to preserve the brand’s culture and client service standards while identifying new growth opportunities across its affiliate and company-owned offices.
The company, in the coming days, intends to build on its established international network as demand for high-end residential properties continues to create opportunities across the world.
The appointment also comes as Sotheby’s International Realty continues its integration into the Compass International Holdings ecosystem.
Compass completed its acquisition of the brand’s parent company, Anywhere Real Estate, earlier this year.
Image Courtesy: Sotheby’s International Realty