• Dunne to join from global investment manager abrdn, which has more than €10bn of Living assets under management
· He will bring more than 25 years of experience to the leadership role which spans across all residential subsectors
LONDON, 15 November 2024 – Cushman & Wakefield has continued its expansion in the Living sector with the appointment of capital markets heavyweight James Dunne as its Head of UK Living.
Dunne is currently Head of Operational Real Estate for global investment manager abrdn, which has more than €10bn of Living assets under management. Prior to that, he was its Head of UK transactions overseeing direct real estate acquisitions and disposals of c. £1.5bn per annum across all funds and new products. He will succeed Charles Whitworth.
Joining Cushman & Wakefield in early 2025, Dunne will bring more than 25 years of experience to the leadership role which spans across all residential subsectors. He will report to David Haynes, Head of UK Specialist Markets, and will work closely with senior figures within Cushman & Wakefield’s Living teams, both in the UK and across Europe.
David Haynes, Head of Specialist Markets UK, Cushman & Wakefield, said: “James is a key strategic hire for us as we continue our momentum in the Living sector. Our clients and colleagues will benefit significantly from his deep experience, unrivalled sector network and exceptional track record of delivery. James’s appointment is another important milestone as we expand to support our clients in the sector and one that we believe will help catalyse further profitable growth.”
Cushman & Wakefield’s Living teams operate across BTR, PRS, student accommodation, seniors housing, and the wider residential and land markets providing a range of capital markets, valuation and advisory, consultancy and development services. Drawing on advanced data and analytical tools, proprietary research and insight, and in-depth market knowledge, they deliver holistic advice, transactions, and solutions to investors, developers, operators, landowners, and local authorities.
Haynes added: “James will be leading a team in exceptional shape that is advising and executing on landmark projects across all aspects of living. We have added to the talent he will lead with other new hires including Anthony Dixon who leads our Living Land and Development team and Mike Gorman who is spearheading our Residential Capital Markets business in the regions.”
A Cushman & Wakefield report quantifying the spatial requirements for UK real estate to 2040 – The Shape of Real Estate – estimates a further four million dwellings will be required during this period simply to maintain historic trends. Far more are required to address the UK’s chronic residential supply and demand imbalance. Across all commercial and residential property, seniors housing requires the greatest growth, in percentage terms, in stock to meet demand, with PRS, and purpose built student accommodation, also in the top 10 subsectors.