Cushman & Wakefield has appointed James Dunne as its head of UK living.
Dunne is head of operational real estate for global investment manager Abrdn, which has more than €10 billion of living assets under management. Prior to that, he was head of UK transactions overseeing direct real estate acquisitions and disposals of £1.5 billion a year across all funds and new products. He will succeed Charles Whitworth.
Dunne will join Cushman & Wakefield in early 2025 to take on the role, which spans across all residential subsectors. He will report to David Haynes, head of UK specialist markets, and will work closely with senior figures in the living teams in the UK and across Europe.
Haynes said: “James is a key strategic hire for us as we continue our momentum in the living sector. Our clients and colleagues will benefit significantly from his deep experience, unrivalled sector network and exceptional track record of delivery. "
Cushman & Wakefield’s living teams operate across build to rent, private rental sector, student accommodation, seniors housing and the wider residential and land markets, providing capital markets, valuation and advisory, consultancy and development services.
Haynes added: “We have added to the talent [James] will lead with other new hires including Anthony Dixon who leads our living land and development team and Mike Gorman who is spearheading our residential capital markets business in the regions.”
A Cushman & Wakefield report on the requirements for UK real estate to 2040 estimates another four million dwellings will be required to maintain historic trends. Far more are required to address the UK’s chronic residential supply and demand imbalance. Across all commercial and residential property, seniors housing requires the greatest growth, in percentage terms, in stock to meet demand. PRS and purpose built student accommodation are also in the top 10 subsectors.