CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) has appointed Sir Michael Lyons and Sir Andrew Foster as strategic advisers to boost its Government & Infrastructure team’s expertise in public sector assets and infrastructure.
Sir Michael Lyons, who has served as chief executive to three major local authorities in the Midlands – Birmingham City Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, and Wolverhampton Borough Council – will provide strategic advice and counsel on public sector assets, local government and regeneration, and Sir Andrew Foster will advise the team on infrastructure.
Martin Guest, managing director at CB Richard Ellis in Birmingham, said: “Sustainable economic growth is at the top of the government’s agenda and investment in development and infrastructure will be critical for achieving this goal. Against a back drop of reduced public sector funding, improving efficiency will also be important to ensure the public sector is maximising the value of its asset base.
“We are therefore privileged to be joined by two of the country’s most prominent figures in local government and infrastructure to aid our clients in the above objective. Sir Michael’s experience in the Midlands will be particularly valuable to our Birmingham office, while Sir Andrew’s expertise will strengthen our established teams in this important and growing area of our business.”
Sarah Whitney, managing director, Government & Infrastructure, CB Richard Ellis, said: “Sir Michael Lyons and Sir Andrew Foster’s knowledge and counsel will allow us to provide clients with strategic advice that is unmatched in the marketplace. We have ambitious plans for the Government & Infrastructure team and we plan to build on our experience in developing innovative funding models and new public-private partnerships.”
Sir Michael Lyons said: “I am pleased to be joining a company with a strong track record of delivering market leading innovation for regeneration and large development projects. I look forward to applying my experience of the public sector and local government to ensure that CBRE is at the forefront of providing expert advice to help clients achieve the best use of their assets and cost efficiency across their portfolios.”
Sir Andrew Foster said: “At this time of financial austerity, it is critical to maximise the value of public land assets and to ensure that public services and the private sector work together effectively; I am pleased to help advise CB Richard Ellis on how to make their most positive contribution.”
Sir Michael Lyons is currently chairman of the English Cities Fund and one of the UK’s leading authorities on local government. He also conducted the Lyons Inquiry into the function and funding of local government and the Lyons review into public sector relocation, both on behalf of former chancellor of the exchequer, Gordon Brown. Sir Michael was previously chairman of the BBC Trust and also held the position of acting chairman of the Audit Commission from 2003 to 2006. He was knighted in 2000 for services to local government.
Sir Andrew Foster is currently deputy chairman of the Royal Bank of Canada. He spent the first 20 years of his career working in local government before being appointed chief executive of NHS Yorkshire in 1986.
Andrew became deputy chief executive of the NHS five years later and was appointed chief executive of the Audit Commission in 1992, a position he held for 11 years. Andrew was knighted in 2001 for services to local government and health.
