Further evidence has emerged that property agents are ramping up their project management operations, with a number of big firms searching for staff and moving into new regions.

London-based agent Cushman & Wakefield Healy & Baker said it was looking to acquire an existing team of six PMs specialising in projects in the City. The firm will either poach a team or acquire a small business in the next 12 months, according to project management boss Alan Day.

It also plans to open a PM division in Manchester. It will hire two staff for the venture and another two PMs for its project management department in Glasgow.

Day said: “We have identified project management as one of the areas we should be expanding quite dramatically.” The firm already has 32 project managers.

Colliers CRE also plans to grow its project management arm and will boost its 12-strong PM team by 50% within the next year or so. Some recruits are expected to come from QS companies, according to Andrew Matthewman, a QS himself, who now leads project management for Colliers.

King Sturge is planning to add two PMs at mid level to its London office. The firm has 20 project managers working throughout the UK. Miles Thompson, head of PM at the agent, said: “We are continuing to grow the team.”

Current jobs include a £7.4m office/housing scheme (pictured) and a £27m office development, both in Bristol, as well as a £13.9m special needs school in Guernsey.

Other top property agents have told QS News they are expanding their PM businesses, including Savills, CB Richard Ellis, Drivers Jonas and Jones Lang LaSalle.

Source

QS News