Property adviser sets up specialist division

A global property adviser has established a team in Scotland focused on the hotel and “alternatives”(leisure, healthcare and student housing) market, to meet client demand.

CBRE has hired hotel specialist Jonathan Mitchell as an associate director from Lambert Smith Hampton, while valuation expert and associate director Kathryn Bennett has changed roles internally to target alternatives. Bennett said: “As alternative assets march to the mainstream, there is an increasing client appetite in Scotland.

“Investment in alternatives shows little sign of slowing down and the Scotland team are now well-placed to advise clients across the board.”

A CBRE study of 350 investors in Europe, the Middle East and Africa indicated 72 per cent already have holdings in the alternatives market, with one third of these currently invested in student accommodation, making it the most popular choice.