The operator who never stopped operating

“Pack your bags. I’ve found exactly what we’ve been looking for.”

It wasn’t the sort of phone call Adam Langer expected to receive while standing outside a nightclub in London’s West End on a freezing winter’s night, back in 2010.

This interview was first published in the August edition of Resort News. OUT NOW. Read it HERE

His mum had been holidaying on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast when she struck up a conversation with the onsite managers at a management rights complex in Mudjimba. Within minutes, she was convinced she had discovered a business model unlike anything she’d seen before.

For Adam and his wife Jay who were both ready for a change after years managing exclusive nightclubs and VIP champagne bars in London’s demanding hospitality scene, it proved to be the nudge they needed.

They made a pact: if Jay’s Australian visa came through, they’d make the move. Six months later, they packed up their lives, relocated to Australia with their young son and began searching for their first management rights business.

Adam describes it as one of the biggest leaps of faith he’s ever taken. More than a decade later, it’s a decision that has shaped both his career and his family’s life.

Today, Adam is a partner and management rights sales agent with Resort Management Sales (RMS). But unlike many agents, he hasn’t left onsite management behind.

Adam and his family continue to manage Malibu Mooloolaba, giving him an insight that’s grounded in the realities of operating day-to-day.

“As an active operator myself, I’m across current practices and issues as they evolve,” he says. “That allows me to give buyers advice that’s practical, relevant and based on what’s happening on the ground.”

Few agents continue to operate onsite while selling management rights. Combined with experience across permanent and holiday complexes, strata management and business ownership, Adam’s perspective is shaped by today’s operating environment rather than memories of it.

Read: Management rights explained: A practical guide for first-time buyers

Every building has its own personality, Adam says, and while the financial performance matters, it only ever tells part of the story. Understanding the committee, the workload, the relationships with owners and the day-to-day lifestyle is just as important.

His first business was a 42-year-old complex with a colourful history. Like many first-time operators, Adam arrived full of enthusiasm, convinced he could persuade the body corporate to undertake major renovations.

Reality, however, proved rather more complicated.

“We didn’t fully appreciate at the time how difficult that process can be.”

While the large-scale transformation never eventuated, the team still achieved significant improvements to the common areas, something Adam still regards as one of his proudest achievements. But when he reflects on those years, it’s the relationships he built that stand out most.

“The practical wins matter,” he says, “but it’s the sense of community and the people you work with that tend to stay with you.”

Long before management rights, Adam was managing exclusive bars in London’s high-pressure hospitality scene, where reading people became second nature.

“You learn very quickly how important clear communication, effective problem-solving and staying calm really are.”

Those same skills continue to serve him well, helping him navigate discussions with owners, committees, guests, buyers and sellers. For Adam, the connection between the two industries is obvious.

“Whether it’s hospitality or management rights, you’re still looking after people.”

That people-first approach is also what eventually drew him into sales.

His connection with RMS stretches back to 2012 when founder John Hellyer sold him his first management rights business. Years later, after operating a café and spending time in strata management, he found himself reconnecting with the RMS team while looking to return to the industry.

When business partners Matt Campbell and Barry Davies suggested he consider becoming an agent, it wasn’t something he’d planned.

“I honestly hadn’t thought about it,” he says.

“But I looked at two highly reputable, high-integrity agents and thought, if they believe I can do it, why not?”

The role also reinforced what attracted him to management rights in the first place.

For Adam, management rights remains one of Australia’s most unique business models. Few industries allow operators to build a successful business while investing in quality real estate at the same time. It’s a combination that continues to attract buyers.

He says management rights sales is less about transactions and more about helping people make informed decisions.

“It’s about helping them understand what they’re buying.”

As someone who still manages a complex every day, he knows the questions buyers eventually ask are rarely just about the profit and loss statement. They’re about committee relationships. Staffing. Workload. Lifestyle. Whether the business genuinely suits the person considering it.

Interesting in buying a management rights business? View the latest listings on AccomProperties HERE

Looking ahead, Adam believes technology will continue removing administration from the role, allowing operators to focus on what matters most: building relationships with owners, committees and guests.

But despite changing legislation, new technology and evolving business models, he believes one thing hasn’t changed. Relationships remain central to every successful operation. It’s a view shaped not by theory, but by years of living and working onsite.

Outside work, life looks very different to those London nightclub days.

Surfing has replaced late-night finishes, and mornings are far more likely to begin in the ocean than under city lights. It’s one of the many reasons he and his family continue to call the Sunshine Coast home.

Professionally, he’s proud of becoming a partner at RMS while continuing to manage onsite, bringing together the different chapters of his career into one role. More than any single sale, however, he’s proud of building a career that combines rewarding work with time for the people who matter most.

Interesting in buying a management rights business? View the latest listings on AccomProperties HERE

For anyone considering management rights, his advice is refreshingly straightforward.

“Don’t be afraid to ask questions and lean on experienced people in the industry,” he says. “There’s an enormous amount of knowledge out there, and most people are happy to share it if you ask.”

Just as importantly, he encourages prospective buyers to take their time.

“Really understand the industry before making the leap. The more informed you are, the better the decisions you’ll make.”

It’s advice that reflects Adam’s own journey. Having experienced management rights as an onsite manager, business owner and sales agent, he knows the best decisions are made with a clear understanding of both the business and the lifestyle that comes with it.

Read the latest edition of AccomNews HERE