CBRE’s appointment of Martin Samworth as CEO of Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) marks a clear choice for continuity.

CBRE’s appointment of Martin Samworth as CEO of Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) marks a clear choice for continuity.

Like his predecessor Michael Strong, who remains at the helm as executive chairman, Samworth is a Brit and previously held the reins of the company’s UK business. Nor is he a stranger to CBRE’s European business. Samworth has sat on the European board since 2003 in his previous role as head of CBRE’s UK business and in the past year as managing director EMEA.

‘I am well acquainted with the broader EMEA operation,’ he told PropertyEU in an interview last year. ‘In that sense, the transition has been quite smooth.’ As CEO, Samworth will continue to report to Strong, who retains overall responsibility for the region as executive chairman EMEA.

Asked what will change following his appointment as CEO, Samworth said the new position is 'a synchronizing of roles' across the business. 'So my day to day role will remain broadly the same. I will continue to oversee the operational management and development of the region and contribute to the wider business through my membership of the Global Operating Committee.'

CBRE is active in 27 countries and has 13 affiliates In EMEA, Samworth noted. 'My biggest challenge is to remain sufficiently focussed on those opportunities that are realistically achievable and that will make a significant difference to our offer and continue the growth and development of the EMEA business.'

While Samworth does not have the multicultural and multilingual background of his peers at JLL and Cushman & Wakefield, he is making progress with his knowledge of European languages, he said. 'I can now ask for the bill in four languages instead of three!'

Click on the link below for the full interview