After five years in business, luxury real estate agency Kollosche is primed for a new era of growth. 

And few people are better qualified to shape its next chapter than recently appointed Chief Operating Officer Ben Summons.

Ben may be reticent about his achievements and experience, but a 25-year career in executive-level positions at national and global food and beverage companies, such as Carlton Breweries, Kraft Foods and Stone & Wood, cannot be ignored. 

At Kollosche, Ben is responsible for overseeing the long-term growth and development of the business and its people while identifying potential efficiencies and recognising avenues for progression and innovation.

His formula for success is simple: curiosity and continuous learning, clarity of goals and plans, and collaboration to achieve results.

“I’m all about getting things done. Throughout my career I have worked with people from diverse backgrounds, and I know how to engage and motivate them to work towards a common vision,” Ben says.

“When people feel engaged and committed is when a business operates at its best.”

From The Beginning

Ben started his career in a media buying agency, before landing what he calls “every young man’s dream job”: working in a brewery. 

The role in market intelligence at Carlton & United Breweries soon led to a position in brand management, where he remained for several years.

“It was a fantastic training ground. I learned to think holistically about all the different moving parts that influence a business and all the different departments I needed to work with,” Ben says.

Ben later moved to food company Mondelez (formerly Kraft), relocating to Malaysia with his family, where he became managing director and the “head of chocolate” for Southeast Asia.  

Not happy to remain a cog in the wheel of a large conglomerate, after four years Ben returned to Australia and took over the reins of Byron Bay brewing company Stone & Wood. 

“I had to think about it for all of about 30 seconds,” Ben laughs. “It was an interesting period at the beginning because I needed to balance bringing in professionalism, without corporatising its unique culture. 

“My role was to continue growing the business in a sustainable way that was in line with the company’s values and vision. That was the brief. Not to just grow at all costs.”

Over five years, which straddled the pandemic, Ben’s business acumen and leadership led him to double the size of the business and put it in a position where he could leave to pursue a personal passion – finding purpose. He became a coach and consultant, mentoring successful people and executives in the business space.

However, Ben’s passion for purpose is not confined to business. He is a big advocate for work-life balance and dedicates time to fitness, wellbeing, family and community. 

“I am actively involved in a surf lifesaving club. For a long time, it has been my main outlet for giving back, but I have a deep appreciation for the importance of community in general. It is a great source for connection and fulfillment.”

Building a Future

Always on the hunt for a new challenge, it was a chance connection that led him to his new role with Kollosche. 

“Kollosche is an exciting, strong and innovative business, with lots of opportunity, and I feel I can really help to strengthen that and drive the business towards an even better future,” Ben says.

“Michael [Kollosche] has an outstanding reputation as an industry leader and as a person, with strong values, vision and a big heart. 

“I love to work in places with those kinds of foundations. There’s positive energy here and good people, and I will be working with everyone across the business to help drive it forward.”