Cushman & Wakefield has appointed Ben Cullen as head of UK and Ireland, succeeding George Roberts who is leaving the firm.
Cullen joined Cushman & Wakefield as a graduate in 2001 and was made an international partner in 2016. He was made head of offices, UK in 2021, and, is a member of the firm’s UK executive committee.
Cullen will continue to focus heavily on clients and driving growth as head of UK and Ireland and will hand over his divisional and sector leadership responsibilities to Andy Tyler who succeeds him as head of offices, UK, Cushman and Wakefield said.
Matthew Bouw, chief executive, APAC & EMEA, Cushman & Wakefield, said: “I’m delighted to promote Ben into this role, where his energy, his client-centric approach, and his track record in delivering exceptional value for our clients through advice, solutions and services can have the greatest impact. I look forward to working with him in a key country leadership position in our combined APAC & EMEA business to bring the best of Cushman & Wakefield globally to our clients in the UK and Ireland.”
Cullen said: “Stepping into this new leadership role is an honour and a responsibility that I carry with great pride. We have gone from strength-to-strength in the UK & Ireland by staying focused on delivering exceptional advice and execution for our clients. With a world-class team, a culture to be proud of, and an incredible platform, I’m excited by the growth opportunities ahead for us and our clients.”
Roberts joined Cushman & Wakefield in 2010, advising office occupiers on high-profile relocations in the capital and leading the London markets division following its merger with DTZ. He was appointed country head in 2017, guiding the business through the UK’s departure from the EU and the pandemic, and the acquisition of its Irish affiliate.
Bouw added: “George has had a profound influence on Cushman & Wakefield across 15 years with the firm and is handing over a business in fantastic shape. We are sincerely grateful for his contribution and wish him every success for the future.”
This is the latest in a range of moves at the head of UK brokerages.
CBRE recently appointed Rishi Bhuchar as chief executive of its United Kingdom and Ireland advisory business to succeed Ciaran Bird, who will leave at year end.
Savills’s Mark Ridley will retire as group chief executive at year-end after 29 years to be succeeded by group chief financial officer Simon Shaw.
Knight Frank announced a new UK board in April, and JLL’s Stephanie Hyde has moved on as chief executive. John Munday has recently taken over from long-time Colliers United Kingdom CEO Tony Horrell and Colin Wilson is stepping down as Europe, the Middle East and Africa, or EMEA, chief at Cushman & Wakefield.
Cushman & Wakefield said in June its non-executive chairman and former CEO, Brett White, would step down at the end of July with Steve Plavin now chairing the board.