Leading international property consultancy, Knight Frank, today announces the appointment of Mr Piers Brunner as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Greater China, based in Hong Kong. A 26-year veteran in the real estate industry, Brunner is tasked to further develop the Knight Frank business across Greater China. He will commence his new role on 28 October 2015.
Prior to joining Knight Frank, Brunner worked for Colliers for 20 years. Most recently, he was the Chief Executive Officer for Colliers’ Asia, managing 30 offices in 14 countries.
Brunner has a wealth of experience in tenant representation which is one of the most important growth areas for Knight Frank’s Greater China business. Having advised business transactions across Asia Pacific, Brunner won corporate accounts with big guns such as Procter & Gamble, Reuters, Alcatel and EMC, and managed corporate accounts including ACNielsen and ABN Amro.
Kevin Coppel, Regional Head of Asia Pacific, Knight Frank, says, “We are delighted to have someone of the calibre of Piers to lead our Greater China business on the next phase of its development. Piers’ understanding of the business in Hong Kong and China, his track record in major leasing and investment transactions, and his leadership experience will prove to be a tremendous asset for Knight Frank. We see Greater China as a terrific opportunity for the firm and are committed to working with Piers to invest in growing our platform.”
Brunner says, “I am excited to be joining Knight Frank, a business with a strong reputation and worldwide network. Knight Frank is highly regarded for its professionalism, long-term perspective, innovative research and excellent client service. I am optimistic about the opportunities in the real estate markets in Greater China and look forward to working with my new colleagues to pursue those opportunities with energy and determination.”
Having lived in Hong Kong over the last 16 years, Brunner has an extensive understanding of Chinese culture and brings with him deep-rooted client connections in the region’s real estate sector. Before moving to Hong Kong, Brunner spent four years in Jakarta with Colliers International where the Indonesian business, under his leadership, was profitable even through the 97/98 Asian Financial Crisis.
Brunner started his career in London in 1990. He spent five years between 1991 and 1995 with Knight Frank in the London office where he was part of the tenant representation team. Brunner holds a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from Exeter University, and a Diploma in Real Estate from Reading University. He is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (FRICS) and a member of Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Surveyors (HKIS), and Hong Kong Registered Professional Surveyor (RPS).
Colin Fitzgerald, the CEO of Greater China at Knight Frank, will be relocating back to London in November after spending 12 years in Hong Kong. In his new role in London, he will be taking the responsibility to manage the relationship between Knight Frank and its U.S. alliance partner, Newmark Grubb Knight Frank.
Under Fitzgerald’s leadership in Hong Kong, the Global Corporate Services business was set up in Asia Pacific which now comprises clients such as Nokia, Boeing, Nielsen, Cummins, L’Oreal, and continues to generate a steady flow of work across the region. Fitzgerald also led Knight Frank Hong Kong’s merger with Chesterton Petty, which added three offices in China and oversaw considerable growth that has resulted in Greater China blossoming into a business of more than 300 professionals. In 2014, he was instrumental in adding the new Taiwan office to the Knight Frank global network.
More about Piers Brunner
Major deals led by Brunner in Hong Kong:
Capital Markets
- Sale of Club Lusitano, office building in Central
- Sale of 32 Oxford Road
- Sale of site for Ciba Specialty Chemicals
- Acquisition of largest NPL sale in Hong Kong (Bank of China) for Citigroup
Tenant Representation
- Appointed joint and several receiver for Barclays Bank (Mirage Tower)
- Appointed as sole provider for HKIS
- Joint sole exclusive for leasing Henderson’s MLC Tower and KT223
- Represented tenants in acquiring office premises including Cheyne Capital / Perry Capital / Jardines / Regus / Sony Pictures
Asset Management
- PCPD – asset management of PCCW Tower