Colliers, the global real estate adviser, has appointed James Walton as a director to launch and lead its new global Colliers SmartFlex consultancy team, headquartered in London, alongside four of his colleagues from flexible workspace consultancy Form and a trio of existing Colliers advisers.
The listed broker said Walton will work with the team to provide advice and expertise to occupiers looking to explore and access flexible workspace options across the world.
The global brokerage first launched the SmartFlex database platform to strengthen its flex office space advisory offering in November 2021, saying it provided a database focused on 90 global markets with a transaction workflow manager for Colliers professionals to act quickly for its clients.
The adviser and its peers in global brokerage such as Savills, JLL and CBRE have been launching dedicated teams in recent years to provide advise on the fast-growing market sector as landlords and occupiers seek more flexible and shorter terms for workspace. In a recent survey published on its website, Colliers says one in four occupiers forecast that at least 20% of the portfolio will be in flexible workspace in three years, up from less than 5% today.
Walton joins from Form, the flexible offices consultancy part of Hadron, where he was a director, responsible for helping clients secure flexible workplace globally. He has 15 years experience in flexible workspace consultancy, including 10 years with The Instant Group.
He is joined by former Form colleagues Toby Ross, Dan Hart, Simon Skates and Alice Dosher and Colliers’ existing three-strong team in the UK of Tom Sleigh, Patrick Kennedy and Phoebe Cobb. The team sits within Colliers’ global Occupier Services organisation.
Andrew Hallissey, Executive Managing Director, Occupier Services EMEA at Colliers, said in a statement: “James’ global experience across a diverse range of sectors – from technology and creative industries to financial services, construction and pharmaceuticals – gives him valuable insight into the unique challenges and opportunities faced by companies of all sizes.”
Tom Sleigh, head of Flexible Workplace Consulting, Occupier Services EMEA at Colliers, added: “From working with start-ups to multinationals, James has built an impressive track record and strong reputation as a trusted adviser and expert negotiator to deliver bespoke workplace solutions for organisations.”
The buildout of the global Colliers SmartFlex advisory service is underpinned the listed broker says by its bespoke Colliers360 SmartFlex technology platform and access to a database of global flex providers and buildings.
James Walton, Director, Colliers SmartFlex explained: “I want to make it easy for businesses to find their perfect space. The right office can inspire and catalyse organisational performance."
Colliers has been in expansionary mood in the UK recently. On Monday, CoStar News revealed it had bought Cap Real Estate to beef up its capital markets offer.