Property consultancy Cushman & Wakefield has appointed James Dunne as its Head of UK Living. James will join Cushman & Wakefield in early 2025 and will report to David Haynes, Head of UK Specialist Markets. He will succeed Charles Whitworth.
James will bring over 25 years of experience to Cushman & Wakefield, spanning all residential subsectors. He will also oversee student accommodation as part of his new role. He will work closely with senior figures within the consultancy’s Living teams in the UK and Europe.
“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.
“James’s appointment is another important milestone as we expand to support our clients in the sector and one that we believe will help catalyse further profitable growth.”
David Haynes, Head of Specialist Markets UK, Cushman & Wakefield
James is currently Head of Operational Real Estate for abrdn, a global investment manager with over €10bn of Living assets under management.
Prior to this, he was the company’s Head of UK Transactions, where he oversaw direct real estate acquisitions and disposals of c. £1.5bn per annum across all funds and new products.
The appointment of James follows the company’s recent appointment of Anthony Dixon as its Head of Living Land and Development.
“James will be leading a team in exceptional shape that is advising and executing on landmark projects across all aspects of living.
“We have added to the talent he 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.”
David Haynes, Head of Specialist Markets UK, Cushman & Wakefield
Cushman & Wakefield’s Living teams operates across purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), Build to Rent, private rented sector (PRS), seniors housing, and the wider residential and land markets. The company provides a range of capital markets, valuation and advisory, consultancy and development services.
Drawing on advanced data and analytical tools, proprietary research and insight, and in-depth market knowledge, the team delivers holistic advice, transactions and solutions to investors, developers, operators, landowners and local authorities.
A Cushman & Wakefield report quantified the spatial requirements for UK real estate to 2040. It estimates that a further four million homes will be required during this period to maintain historic trends.
Far more are also 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, with PBSA and PRS also in the top 10 subsectors.
