Chris Ireland will also head Christchurch operations as GM.
Chris Ireland.
Australasian retail property expert Chris Ireland has been internally appointed as national director, retail sales and leasing, and general manager of the Christchurch operations of Savills New Zealand. He took up the role on May 1. A long-time leader in the company, Ireland, who grew up in Hawke’s Bay, moved to Sydney in 1989 and joined Savills in 2004, cultivating an excellent reputation and enormous contact book through his work for major retail property owners and luxury brands in Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.
Ireland returns to New Zealand from long-time roles as state director (WA) asset management and director of retail services for Savills Australia. In Christchurch he will lead the agency sales and leasing divisions and an additional asset management team for The Palms Shopping Centre in Shirley.
Having already visited Christchurch, Ireland said: “On a walk-through of the CBD I identified a lot of opportunities here for global retail brands I’ve worked with.
“There is a tremendous amount of service and value and a point of difference we can bring to the landlords of those CBD assets in Christchurch and in other New Zealand cities, and I have a lot of ideas for them … On a personal note I still have my mum and other close family and friends in Hawke’s Bay, so I’m happy to be returning to New Zealand and be travelling around the country frequently in this role.”
Savills New Zealand managing director Ryan Geddes said: “Chris has a market-leading specialty in retail investment sales and development leasing, working with major players including Westfield and Scentre Group, and is experienced in virtually every angle of development …
“He is a skilled and respected negotiator and deal-maker and, under the Savills banner, he has done high-end leasing for the likes of Crown in Melbourne and secured strong deals at every level of the retail market.
“Chris has unparalleled expertise in driving national retail operations and realising strategic visions that deliver value for owners and consumers, and he knows how to take a retail centre or CBD shopping zone to the next level. We are delighted to have him back in New Zealand, bringing his skills and energy to the local market.”
Ireland is already expanding his team, bringing in Alex Brackstone to add retail leasing expertise. Brackstone’s primary role will be undertaking the role of office and retail leasing executive based in the Savills Australia and New Zealand, Christchurch office. He has been a stalwart of the Christchurch hospitality scene having co-owned sites such as Vespa, Ther Bard, and His Lordships. Brackstone joins the team with wealth of experience from a tenant perspective.
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