Savills Australia & New Zealand has appointed nine senior executives to its capital markets division, positioning the firm to capture what it expects will be a significant uptick in commercial property investment this year.
The hires include the launch of new Queensland and Victorian teams, along with a Singapore-based director to strengthen connections with offshore capital.
Ben Schubert, National Head of Capital Transactions and Advisory at Savills Australia & New Zealand, said liquidity was returning after a period of subdued activity.
“Investors are seeking advisors with scale and specialist execution,” Schubert said.
“We have strengthened our team to meet rising market demand, with upscaled capital markets capabilities across the Eastern Seaboard, combined with robust cross-border connectivity to the Asia-Pacific.”
The appointments come as commercial property investment volumes show signs of recovery. Data from Morgan Stanley Capital International shows transaction volumes across all asset classes grew 57 per cent in the year to Q4 2025, reaching $14.45 billion. Office investment more than doubled over the same period, from $2.39 billion to $5.64 billion.
Savills’ global research arm projects a 23 per cent increase in worldwide investment volumes this year.
Seb Turnbull has been appointed Executive Director of Capital Markets Australia and will head the Queensland team. He joins from JLL, where he led the Queensland capital markets division, bringing more than 20 years of experience to the role.
Queensland has seen particularly strong momentum, with Real Capital Analytics data showing investment volumes across all asset classes nearly doubled in the year to Q4 2025.
Matt Kearney, Savills’ Queensland State Managing Director, said investor interest in the state remained robust.
“Having a renewed presence in Queensland unlocks sharper local insight and disciplined execution for our clients as markets continue to improve,” Kearney said.
In Victoria, Kiran Pillai and Scott McGlone have been appointed as National Directors to lead the state’s capital markets team. Both previously held senior roles at CBRE’s capital markets division and bring more than 14 years of experience each.
The Victorian team also includes Senior Directors Jamus Campbell and Nick Peden, Associate Director Nikola Jackson, and Team Assistant Emma Rowland – all formerly of CBRE.
Victorian office transaction volumes rose sharply off a low base, with Real Capital Analytics showing volumes increased from $317 million in Q4 2024 to $996 million in Q4 2025.
Joe Phegan, Savills’ Victorian State Managing Director, said the appointments would help capitalise on improving conditions.
“Our expanded local team enables us to capitalise on improving office investment conditions, particularly across Melbourne’s core CBD and metropolitan markets,” Phegan said.
To strengthen offshore investor relationships, Alice Crowley has been appointed Director of Asia Pacific Capital Markets, based in Singapore. She previously held director-level roles at Knight Frank, Lendlease and The GPT Group.
Neil Brookes, who was appointed Head of Asia Pacific Capital Markets late last year, said Crowley’s appointment reflected the firm’s regional ambitions.
“With offshore capital seeking greater exposure to Australia, Alice brings strong local relationships and global expertise,” Brookes said.
Cross-border investment volumes reached $17.9 billion in 2025, more than 80 per cent higher than 2024 levels, according to the firm.
