Brokerage firm Savills has appointed industry veteran Ruth Fischer as its president of Canada.
Fischer, who moves to Savills after working at CBRE for the past 14 years, will oversee Savills' Canadian business, including its current offices in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Edmonton, its future markets and its current and future service lines, the firm said. She will be based in the company's downtown Toronto office.
"By tapping Ruth to lead Savills Canadian operations, we're underscoring our commitment to solidifying and significantly expanding the firm's presence and services in this strategic North American market," David Lipson, CEO of Savills North America, said in a statement.
"Hiring a Canada leader, to be based in Toronto, the country's largest market, is a foundational step toward growth. With Ruth now on board, we are going to capitalize on the opportunity to build a diversified, scaled, and differentiated business in the country."
Her move comes after Avison Young lured three executives and a team of eight from the Savills operations about 15 months ago.
After establishing its Toronto presence in 2015, Savills, which has its headquarters in London, has expanded its Canadian operations to Calgary, Edmonton and, most recently, to Montreal.
Fischer joins the firm with expertise in brokerage, urban planning, client diagnostics, portfolio and workplace strategy. She recently served as managing director of CBRE's operations in Quebec and led brokerage activities across Montreal, Saint-Laurent and Quebec City.
"I am excited about this career-defining opportunity: a chance to lead and expand Savills across Canada. Hiring a Canadian president represents a significant milestone as Canada's diverse landscapes and vibrant communities present immense potential," said Fischer, in a statement.
The new head of Canada graduated in urban planning from Cornell University and began her career in Boston before relocating to the U.K. for graduate school at the London School of Economics.
Fischer remained in London as a real estate analyst covering markets across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. She moved to Canada in 2010, began work at CBRE, founded the firm's Canadian client solutions team and launched the Canadian client care program.