CBRE builds industrial sales & leasing capability as outlook improves

CBRE has recruited two new agents to its Christchurch industrial team, strengthening its capability to assist clients as market recovery gathers pace and transactional activity increases.

Jeremy Brown has joined the company as associate Director of Industrial & Logistics; while Wilson Hewett has been recruited into the position of Industrial & Logistics Negotiator. Both have strong experience and connections across the industrial property market in Canterbury. 

The appointments are part of CBRE’s programme of investment into strategic growth nationwide. This is placing the company on a strong footing as the commercial property market outlook improves in 2025, said Claus Brewer, National Director of Industrial & Logistics at CBRE.

“CBRE nationally is investing into New Zealand’s improving commercial property market outlook and we have stayed on course with our long term strategic growth plans through the downturn. Growing our Christchurch team at this important time enables us to be well-resourced, agile and with the market coverage required to meet demand and assist our clients as the market recovers.”

Jeremy Brown is an experienced sales and leasing agent specialising in industrial property. He has worked in commercial real estate for several years, negotiating numerous acquisitions and disposals of industrial property for developers, national property investors and funds, private buyers and owner occupiers. He has also assisted clients in leasing industrial property throughout Canterbury.

Wilson Hewett has worked in industrial sales and leasing since 2021. Drawing on a diverse professional background that includes working abroad and experience in the hospitality industry, Wilson has built strong connections in the market. He is particularly experienced in the CBD fringe market, where he has negotiated several sales and leasing deals for private investors and owner occupiers. He has also worked with larger property owners and national institutions across greater Christchurch.

Tim Rookes, Managing Director of CBRE Christchurch, said the appointments strengthen the company’s capability to assist industrial property owners and occupiers at a time when transactional activity is expected to pick up. 

“We are very pleased to welcome these two high-calibre agents to our team, helping our business align with CBRE’s national industrial focus and growth agenda as well as wider market momentum. Both Jeremy and Wilson are professional, motivated, proactive and well-connected and bring additional capability to our existing strong presence in the local industrial market.”

CBRE, which is the largest wholly-owned, single-entity commercial real estate business in New Zealand, is also investing in new Christchurch headquarters, due to open in late July in Carter Group’s new office and retail development on the corner of Cashel and High Streets. 

The new premises will bring together the entire CBRE Christchurch team of over 50 professionals; including the agency and valuation & advisory businesses which are currently located in two separate buildings. CBRE has also taken naming rights to the new building.