Cushman & Wakefield is restructuring its Western Australia leadership team to capitalise on a projected upswing in the commercial real estate market, with major shifts in its Perth office positioning the firm for increased leasing and sales activity.
The real estate market in Australia is experiencing renewed momentum, particularly in the prime-grade office sector. While global investors have shown strong interest in the east coast office market throughout 2024, analysts anticipate that this demand will extend to Perth in 2025.
The post-COVID emphasis on premium workplace environments has driven significant tenant interest in high-quality office towers, and with only a handful of buildings in Perth capable of offering more than 8,000sqm of contiguous space, these vacancies are expected to be absorbed swiftly. This positive trajectory has prompted many office developers to reassess the viability of previously shelved projects.
Major Projects Office Initiative
To better align with these shifting market dynamics, Cushman & Wakefield’s current Joint Managing Directors Digby Sutherland and Mark Clapham, will transition into leadership roles within a newly created national business unit—the Major Projects Office. This initiative will support clients in the planning, development, and pre-leasing of new office towers while also focusing on repositioning significant existing assets.
Initially centring on projects in the Perth market, the Major Projects Office will operate nationally, assisting institutional landlords, developers, and tenants across Australia’s major office markets.
The move marks the next evolution for Sutherland and Clapham, who have worked together for 22 years across Sydney and Perth, including previous roles at CBRE, Brookfield, and their former business, Sheffield Property.
Cushman & Wakefield acquired their office leasing business in 2022, and the duo successfully integrated Sheffield into Cushman & Wakefield’s broader operations, expanding the Perth team from 25 in 2022 to 93 professionals in 2025.
"Mark and Digby’s contributions to our Perth business have been transformative, and their new roles in the Major Projects Office will allow them to further enhance Cushman & Wakefield’s capabilities on a national scale," said Noral Wild, CEO of Cushman & Wakefield ANZ.
Mr Sutherland and Mr Clapham echoed this sentiment, stating: "The Perth office market is entering an exciting phase, and with strong tenant demand for prime-grade office spaces, we see significant opportunities for new developments and asset repositioning. Our focus in the Major Projects Office will be to help clients navigate this evolving landscape."
New Managing Director for WA
With Mr Sutherland and Mr Clapham transitioning into their new roles, Cushman & Wakefield has appointed Roly Egerton-Warburton as the new Managing Director for Western Australia.
Mr Egerton-Warburton, who currently heads Cushman & Wakefield’s Office Leasing division in WA, has been with the firm for 11 years, initially joining Sheffield Property before its acquisition.
His appointment underscores his deep knowledge of the Perth commercial real estate sector, his strong transactional track record, and his extensive industry network.
"Roly’s expertise and leadership will be instrumental in driving the next stage of growth for our Perth business," said Ms Wild.
"His ability to execute complex transactions and foster key client relationships makes him the ideal candidate to lead our WA operations."
Mr Egerton-Warburton expressed his enthusiasm for the role, stating: "Cushman & Wakefield has built a very strong presence in Perth, and I look forward to accelerating this growth for our clients and our team. The strength of Cushman & Wakefield, combined with a rising market, presents significant opportunities."
As Cushman & Wakefield positions itself for a more active Perth office market, these strategic changes are set to enhance the firm’s ability to service clients across the full spectrum of commercial real estate transactions.
