Cushman & Wakefield has made two appointments to strengthen its UK valuation & advisory business.
Charles Smith has been appointed to a new role of chairman, with Karen Clements joining the firm to lead the 230-strong UK team of valuation and advisory specialists as managing director.
'This is an exciting next step for a key part of our business that is already successful,' said George Roberts, head of UK & Ireland, Cushman & Wakefield. 'Karen will lead a team that is truly national, highly talented and has demonstrated time and again our ability to take on the largest, most complex valuation and advisory work.
'Her track record of winning business and managing change is the perfect complement to the deep-rooted valuation and advisory expertise of Charles and the existing leadership team, giving us – and our clients – the best of both worlds.'
Clements has led businesses with turnovers from £15 mln (€17 mln) to more than £500 mln, including substantial business units at Zurich Insurance and Capita, where she was responsible for key client contracts across the life and pensions, retail banking and general insurance sectors.
'I am looking forward to working with Charles to build on the team’s existing success and ensure the services we provide are best in class and optimally delivered to our clients,' Clements said.
'Karen has spent her career working in complex, regulated environments and has direct experience of the sectors in which our clients operate. Her arrival allows me to focus more fully on our clients, ensuring they receive the best market insight, and continue building the business,' added Smith.
