Avison Young has named former Arcadis partner James Porter as its new managing director of occupier solutions, as the firm seeks to expand its offer in an “ambitious” growth drive.
Porter, who has also joined the firm as a principal, worked at Arcadis from 2016. Before that, he was a group sourcing business partner at Lloyds Banking Group.
He has also previously worked at foodservice company Compass Group as its head of facilities management procurement, construction design and planning and equipment solutions, and at energy company RWE as a supply chain development manager.
During his career his clients have included major UK banks, Tesco and Costa Coffee.
Jason Sibthorpe, principal and president UK at Avison Young, said: “James’s deep and holistic understanding of property and his strong track record of building lasting relationships with clients will be invaluable in further strengthening our occupier solutions offering, which we are seeking to expand as part of our ambitious growth plans for the UK market.
“Over the past year, we have been supporting our corporate occupier clients in responding to the seismic considerations and challenges to their portfolios resulting from market shifts accelerated by the pandemic.
“James’s strategic insights will help drive our approach to guiding clients through the profound long-term changes to their real estate strategies, with a growing emphasis on hybrid working, sustainability and flexibility at the top of the agenda.”
Porter said “From new agile-work policies to rightsizing, occupiers have navigated an unprecedented set of challenges in the face of Covid-19.
“Additionally, the immediate economic impact is driving significant changes in the short to medium term, with many occupiers looking for cost containment opportunities.”
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