James Child, a former top English rugby league referee, has been hired by real estate advisor CBRE as associate director in the Development Advisory team. James will be based in Leeds, but will work across the north of England.
James combined his extensive 12-year role as an elite rugby league match official with his profession as a chartered surveyor. He brings almost 20 years’ experience in the property industry, predominantly as principal land and property officer with Leeds City Council, where he brought his general practice skills to the fore through his involvement in multiple acquisitions and disposals across the city, including land assembly, development agreements and joint ventures.
James has been influential in the progression of high profile projects across Leeds, including the Arena Quarter and Temple District forming part of the South Bank Quarter.
James joins CBRE’s senior director, Catherine Birks to bolster and grow the Development Advisory team across the north, with particular focus on Yorkshire, the North East and East Midlands. Both bring a wealth of direct experience, passion and knowledge to support and advise clients on complex property and regeneration projects which require collaboration between public and private sectors.
CBRE’s Development Advisory team has a strong track record across multiple sectors, advising on complex regeneration projects at all stages from options appraisals and master planning through to complex land assembly, funding, disposal and delivery strategy implementation.
Catherine Birks, senior director, CBRE Development Advisory team, said: “We are delighted to bring James on board to support our growth strategy for the Development Advisory team across the North. James is a fantastic addition to CBRE, bringing an invaluable breadth of experience, knowledge and a strong skillset across the regeneration and economic development sector.
“His appointment demonstrates CBRE’s continued expansion of Development Advisory services across the north, further boosting our offer and expertise to assist clients in successfully delivering complex development projects.”
James Child added: “I am excited to be joining such a highly regarded international real estate advisory firm in CBRE having recently retired from officiating at the highest level of professional rugby league.
“I’ll be building on the success of the established team, providing expert tailored advice to clients, and promoting the capability of the wider CBRE business in the strategic regeneration and development sector.
“With my largely public sector background in acquisition and disposal, options appraisal and delivery of economic regeneration through development, I am looking forward to assisting clients across the region to unlock and deliver complex schemes to achieve their development, regeneration and economic growth ambitions.”
