This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
SAVILLS has scored a major recruitment coup, with the appointment of high profile property professional, Jason Kougellis, as the new managing director in Victoria.
Kougellis has over 20 years experience including a 15-year career at GE Capital Real Estate, where he held the position of managing director – Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia.
Previous roles were at Fosun International Ltd, Paladin Funds Management, GIO Asset Management and in CBA’s Property Valuation Services.
Savills Australia & New Zealand CEO Paul Craig said this is a very exciting appointment for the agency.
“We are delighted to be welcoming Jason to the Savills team. A strong foundation has been built over many years in the Victorian office, and we are very proud of our people and look forward to Jason guiding the business to its next growth phase.
“Having acquired, managed and divested over $5 billion of assets, Jason has an outstanding level of transactional experience and knowledge of all Australian markets that will bring a unique skillset to our local clients and offer a truly national service offering,”
“Likewise, his recent role with the Chinese international conglomerate and investment company, Fosun, has afforded Jason an excellent understanding of Asian investor appetite and process.
“Furthermore, Jason’s relationships with key institutional capital both in Australia and abroad will enhance our highly successful Melbourne city and suburban sales team’s ability to attract a broader audience,” Craig added.
Kougellis said Savills has bolstered its global business, particularly in Asia where the business is gaining serious momentum.
“Australia is certainly benefitting from this commitment to global growth that has been engineered for the global real estate market we now operate in.
“Savills appealed to me given its extensive history, global reach and unique culture that connects the teams both locally, across the country, and around the world,” he added.
“We are embarking on an aggressive growth strategy and Jason’s leadership and management experience will significantly benefit the greater Savills business in achieving a co-ordinated and disciplined approach. This, together with his extensive property experience, will ensure that Savills Victoria quickly reaches its next phase,” Craig said.
Over the past 12 months, Savills Victoria has brokered some of the largest deals in Victoria, a clear indicator that the Victorian team is a leader in the field. Last December, Savills handled the sale of 600 Bourke St for just over $240 million, as well as 222 Exhibition St for $231 million.
Of leases over 1,000 sqm completed in the market during the financial year to June 2016, Savills transacted almost 250,000 sqm in the industrial and office sectors.
Kougellis said with more than 100 staff based in Victoria, Savills is well placed for the stage of growth.
“Our business development plan is to maintain our position as a market leader in key property markets, implement a well-structured aggressive growth plan that is in line with the greater business and to provide best in class service,” Kougellis said.
Australian Property Journal
