Two senior directors at WeWork have left the office giant to set up a flexible workspace practice at Avison Young.
The UK agency has hired Martin Devine (pictured, right) as principal and Robbie MacDonald (left) as associate director, where they will operate as part of the firm’s existing London markets team.
Devine was a director in WeWork’s real estate team and recently headed up its broker and agent development arm across the UK and Ireland. MacDonald was a senior associate working with him.
Avison Young said Devine had been a driving force behind increasing occupancy rates across WeWork’s 27-building west London and Midtown portfolio, which sits at more than 85% full across 2m sq ft of office space.
Devine said: “Avison Young’s vision to evolve its client offering in line with the global shift in occupier expectations fills me with real excitement for the future.”
Jason Sibthorpe, principal and UK president of Avison Young, said the flexible office market, which has seen a resurgence in the months after Covid-19 lockdowns were lifted, “won’t settle down overnight”.
“There is a real need for strategic advice for investors, occupiers and operators, to support businesses and their workforces in finding an adaptable solution that works for them.”
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