Zurich Financial, the insurance-based financial services group, has selected CB Richard Ellis as its preferred provider of commercial real estate services in Europe. The agreement covers a 560,000 m2-portfolio of 520 offices in nine countries.

Zurich Financial, the insurance-based financial services group, has selected CB Richard Ellis as its preferred provider of commercial real estate services in Europe. The agreement covers a 560,000 m2-portfolio of 520 offices in nine countries.

Mark Smith, Zurich's European head of real estate & facilities management, said: 'This is the first time that Zurich has contracted with a real estate service advisor in Europe. Our key objectives are to significantly drive the performance of our property portfolio, take advantage of changing market conditions throughout the region and provide our internal businesses with world class property advisory services.'

Matthew Pullen, head of global corporate services EMEA at CBRE, said the division added 16 new corporate accounts and expanded on 16 existing relationships during the first half of 2008. 'We are particularly delighted to have been appointed by Zurich. At a time of greater economic uncertainty it represents a positive vote of confidence in our ability to deliver responsive and effective international property solutions for the world’s largest corporations. Zurich’s approach to developing innovative strategic supplier relationships is a natural fit with our growing global corporate services function.'

'We remain extremely pleased with the progress we continue to make in the Corporate Services arena in Europe. Over 70% of FTSE 100 organisations have turned to CB Richard Ellis for strategic property solutions,' he added.