Real estate services provider Cushman & Wakefield has announced that it is reinforcing its commitment to the Alternatives sector with the launch of its Alternatives platform and the appointment of David Curtis (Capital Markets) and David Bruce-Clarke (Valuations) as Co-Heads of Alternatives in Australia and New Zealand.
David Curtis brings over 24 years of experience in commercial real estate, specialising in a diverse array of transactions. His comprehensive background includes strategic advisory, recapitalisations, sale and leaseback transactions, and fund raising across various sectors such as Healthcare, Seniors Living, Build to Rent and Renewables. Throughout his career, David Curtis has managed real estate portfolios for renowned fund managers, demonstrating his adeptness in navigating complex market landscapes.
David Bruce-Clarke has over 30 years of real estate industry experience, with a focus on the Alternative sectors for the past two decades. His expertise spans valuation advisory for diverse purposes including mortgage security, financial reporting and investment decisions. David Bruce-Clarke’s specialised knowledge encompasses Healthcare/Medical, Retirement Living, Aged Care and Self-Storage sectors, reflecting his deep understanding of the intricacies within these industries.
Together, David Curtis and David Bruce-Clarke will lead a team of over 21 operatives, bolstering Cushman & Wakefield’s existing in-country specialists to form a formidable Alternative markets platform. This consolidated team will offer unparalleled transactional and advisory capabilities across a broad spectrum of sectors including seniors living, student accommodation, Build to Rent, health and aged care, and renewables.
These strategic appointments coincide with the firm’s launch of its Australian Alternatives Outlook 2024 report – the first of its kind, which illustrates how many alternative sectors have demonstrated resilience, outperforming core sectors struggling with structural shifts, despite economic headwinds.
“Cushman & Wakefield has made significant investment in the Alternatives markets across the global network to ensure our focus is aligned to our clients’ needs. The establishment of the Alternatives platform, alongside recent strategic acquisitions and leadership developments, underscores Cushman & Wakefield’s unwavering dedication to driving growth and excellence in the Asia Pacific region.”
Noral Wild, CEO, Cushman & Wakefield Australia & New Zealand
This announcement follows the firm’s recent appointment of Noral Wild as CEO for Australia & New Zealand, who will oversee a team of 1,750 employees across 17 offices, marking the next phase of the firm’s growth.
Noral’s extensive experience includes leadership positions at JB Were, EY and JLL, where she served as the Head of Alternatives for 12 years. She also ran her own construction company for a decade, further enriching her understanding of the industry.
Noral’s role was effective from 1 April 2024. CEO of Cushman & Wakefield APAC expressed his delight for Noral moving into this position.
“Australia is a key destination for both occupiers and investors of real estate, not just in Asia Pacific, but globally. It is one of our most important markets in the region and we continue to invest in our platform to help our clients navigate through some of the most complex challenges in the built environment.
“As the world continues to become more complex and client buying behaviours change, we are focussed on ensuring our service delivery model adapts to those changing needs. I am delighted that Noral will be moving into the Australian and New Zealand leadership role, particularly given her track record in alternatives, one of the fastest growing asset classes.”
Matthew Bouw, CEO, Cushman & Wakefield APAC
