Cushman & Wakefield names Chair of Public Sector and Head of Manchester office

John Keyes, Cushman & Wakefield

Cushman & Wakefield has named John Keyes as Chair of Public Sector and Caroline Baker as head of its Manchester Office. The promotions are effective immediately.

International Partner John Keyes is a strategic advisor to significant public sector organisations and agencies, ensuring their property is aligned with their business needs. He will focus fully on the role, stepping back from also running the Manchester office with Baker taking up the reins.

Cushman & Wakefield is appointed to numerous public sector frameworks and works extensively with clients across central and local government and the health and education sectors. The firm advises the public sector not only as occupiers of commercial property but also on how best to use the private sector to viably deliver its policy aims, from housing delivery to social care to urban regeneration.

John Keyes, Chair of Public Sector, Cushman & Wakefield, said: “We have a long and successful track record of partnering with the public sector, bringing an innovative and commercially-minded focus on delivery that drives value for money for the public purse.

“I will be developing these already-strong capabilities further on behalf of our clients. As public sector organisations face increasing budgetary and demographic pressures they are having to change the way they deliver services. We are focused on providing genuine insight and best-in-class advice applied consistently across our business to help our clients in this sector operate effectivity.”

Caroline Baker has worked for Cushman & Wakefield since 1997 and has been a Partner in the Manchester office since 2001. A development specialist, she has also been heavily involved in Cushman & Wakefield’s diversity and inclusion programme Inspire.

She will lead a team of more than 100 staff delivering a broad range of real estate services from the firm’s Marsden Street offices. She will report to Tim Cameron-Jones, Head of Cushman & Wakefield North.

Caroline Baker, Head of Manchester Office, Cushman & Wakefield, said: “I’m really looking forward to leading a team with unrivalled experience in the North West, and continuing to build on our excellent reputation at an exciting time for the region. We are proud to be involved in many of the region’s transformative schemes, delivering innovative work with the public and private sectors to stimulate investment, improve our town and city centres and ensure the necessary homes are built.”

George Roberts, Head of UK & Ireland, Cushman & Wakefield, said: “We see opportunities for growth in both our Public Sector and Manchester teams under the leadership of John and Caroline, two extremely talented and experienced professionals. Ensuring we have the right people leading our teams is an important part of our mission to deliver superior performance for our clients.”