Carter Jonas leader talks property and triathlons on podcast
Alexandra Houghton, head of commercial at Carter Jonas, tells CoStar News's Top CREdentials podcast, which returns for a second series this month, that the property industry, and work in general, is all about the people.
Although she describes her route into the industry as "classic"; reading Geography at university, before training at what is now Bayes Business School, her career has been anything but, juggling full-time employment with competing in international triathlon events for Great Britain.
Houghton was also the first person at her company to take shared parental leave and has more recently been brushing shoulders with Hollywood A-lister George Clooney, with Carter Jonas launching a filming location service division this month.
The senior real estate figure also provides her key takeaways from this year's UKREiiF conference and how the property sector is navigating uncertain political times.
Savills retail expert completes Paris to London challenge
Antoine Vandamme, a member of Savills' French retail property team, has completed a mammoth run from Paris to London, raising funds for a charity supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Vandamme ran 253 kilometres – the equivalent of six marathons - from the firm's Paris office at 59 Rue de Tocqueville to its headquarters in London at 33 Margaret Street, finishing the four-day challenge on Tuesday. If you would like to support Vandamme, who is raising funds for École de la Réparation, a training centre for disadvantaged people in Roubaix, follow this link.
Walker & Dunlop recruits Wells Fargo veteran in London
US commercial real estate finance and advisory services firm Walker & Dunlop has poached Tim Gibb, a long-serving senior member of Wells Fargo's commercial real estate division, as it expands outside the US. He joined as managing director of capital markets for Europe, the Middle East and Africa in London this month, bringing more than 20 years' commercial real estate lending and capital markets experience. Walker & Dunlop launched its London-based brokerage and capital markets advisory team in February 2025. Gibb told CoStar News: "I am excited to join such a talented team and contribute to the continued growth of the platform across Europe."
Property professionals recognised in King's Birthday Honours
Grainger boss Helen Gordon is one of several real estate and built environment professionals to be named in the King's Birthday Honours. Gordon, who became chief executive of the housebuilder in 2016, was made a Dame for her services to the property industry. Philip Newborough, the co-founder and the former chief executive of Bridges Fund Management, was awarded an OBE for his services to business growth and impact investing. Ian Piper, former chief executive of the Ebbsfleet Development Corporation, was given a CBE for his services to housing and regeneration, while Rick Willmott, the former chief executive of contractor Willmott Dixon, received an OBE.
IWG announces changes at the top
IWG founder Mark Dixon has stepped down from his CEO role as part of three leadership changes at the firm. Christian Schmitz becomes chief executive and Douglas Sutherland, the non-executive chair, deputy chair. Dixon founded IWG in 1989 and, over nearly four decades, has built the company into the world's largest flexible workspace provider, with a network of sites across 120 countries, via brands such as Regus, Spaces, HQ and Signature. The firm said Dixon will continue to provide strategic guidance to the board and act as an adviser to the CEO. Schmitz joined IWG last year as chief transformation officer and then became global head of all regions.
Knight Frank appoints UK managing partner
Knight Frank has named Tim Robinson as UK managing partner, succeeding Stephen Clifton in April 2027. As head of commercial, the firm said Robinson has led the business through "challenging market conditions, delivering record revenue and profit while growing high-value consultancy and annuity income streams". Robinson will lead the UK business, overseeing its residential and commercial operations and driving the strategic direction, governance and performance of the firm's home market. He will also become chair of the UK board and remains a member of the group executive board. Clifton will retire after 27 years at Knight Frank.
L&R appoints head of origination and capital formation
L&R, the investment arm of the Livingstone brothers, has appointed Ana Ivanovic as head of originations and capital formation. Ivanovic brings 12 years’ experience from JLL, where she advised on approximately €5 billion of hotel real estate transactions across Europe and most recently led its Southern European hotels and hospitality business, her employer said. The company said she will be based in Madrid and will play a central role in its regional expansion. The move comes alongside the opening of an L&R office on Calle de Jorge Juan in the centre of Salamanca district to strengthen its presence across Southern Europe.