A Special Evening with Clients

I had the privilege of co-hosting several hundred clients and colleagues in San Francisco this past Wednesday. Colliers International was lead sponsor and host of an event on behalf of the Tony Blair Faith Foundation, established by the former prime minister of the U.K. in 2008 to foster dialogue and understanding between people worldwide, regardless of cultural and religious differences.

The centerpiece of the evening was meeting Tony Blair himself, and later seeing him interviewed by Emmy-winning broadcast journalist Charlie Rose. It was evident from their immediate rapport that this is one of a series of conversations the two have had since Blair stepped down from government in 2007 to begin a new career as statesman and thinker—not just for the United Kingdom, but for the world as a whole.

That his ongoing work has shifted in part from politics to religion reflects what he views as a changing and increasingly globalized world. The 20th century’s defining conflicts were over political ideology; whereas those of the next century will arise from differences of religious and cultural ideology.

Blair is still a political figure, of course, given his continued involvement in the Middle East peace process, emerging governments in Africa, and climate change. But the compelling moments in the discussion transcended both politics and religion, and pointed to something greater that unifies us all: basic human values.

“The one thing that in our part of the world we need to understand is that when we talk about ‘Western values,’ like freedom and democracy, the rule of law, and a belief in basic social justice…these aren’t Western values. They’re values of the human spirit, and they’re the values that people anywhere choose, when they’re given the choice.”

Occasions like this are an opportunity to evaluate one’s own leadership, regardless of your profession. Being around Mr. Blair and engaging with him personally, you can really see how naturally he brings people together. He’s candid without being exclusionary, intelligent without being elitist, warm without being artificial. It’s inspiring how he has continued to grow and learn in his second career, free from the limitations of political office. Despite having achieved the highest political office in his country, and retaining it for a decade, he continues to add to his accomplishments and build on his experience. It is clear that Mr. Blair has demonstrated an enterprising spirit, and having him as a focal point of a gathering of Colliers International clients created an evening that was well received by all.

Industry Veteran Appointed Colliers International UK PLC CEO

Colliers International is pleased to announce that Tony Horrell has accepted the position of Chief Executive Officer, UK and Ireland, effective immediately.

London-born, Tony began in the property industry as a graduate student and has a deep level of experience in the London office market and international capital markets. Before joining Colliers International, Tony was with Jones Lang LaSalle for over 27 years where he steadily grew and expanded their capital markets business. Prior to leaving the firm in 2009, Tony was International Director and Head of Capital Markets in Europe, a business of 450 professionals across 24 countries facilitating €35- 40 billion per year in sales, acquisitions and finance transactions.

As Chief Executive Officer, Tony will be responsible for the direction and growth of the Colliers International business and joins the company at an exciting time with the recent launch of the new Colliers International brand, an initiative signifying the unification of the Colliers business around the world.

Colliers International’s Chief Executive Officer, EMEA, Chris McLernon said: “Tony is the ideal fit for Colliers International. His passionate commitment to providing clients with exceptional service and track record of growing a national and regional business will help us grow the Colliers International business in the UK and Ireland to a top tier position.”

Tony commented: “I am delighted to be joining Colliers International at a time when there is an absolute passion to grow the business. The culture of the company to ‘go the extra mile’ and provide ideas and opportunities for clients matches my own enthusiasm for the industry.”

Colliers International Further Expands into the Charlotte Market

Colliers International has bolstered the unprecedented growth of its U.S. platform with the addition of one of Charlotte’s most highly regarded commercial real estate firms, Clarus Properties Inc. The firm also announced that two of Charlotte’s top commercial real estate professionals will join the organization.

As Colliers International, Clarus Properties will transition from being a regional player into a key component of one of the world’s leading real estate brands, with 15,000 employees operating out of more than 480 offices in 61 countries and with revenues of nearly $2 billion.

“We remain committed to our goal that Colliers International becomes the unparalleled market leader in the U.S.,” said Dylan Taylor, chief executive officer of Colliers International in the U.S. “In every recent instance where we’ve expanded our platform, it has been the most client-centric and culturally aligned firms in those markets that have combined forces with us. Clarus Properties is only the latest example of how Colliers International continues to attract the best that the industry has to offer.”

This latest arrival to the Colliers International platform brings the number of markets added in 2010 to nine.

Greg Copps, SIOR principal and cofounder of Clarus Properties, said: “After serving our clients under the Clarus Properties brand since 2005, we are excited to have joined global industry leader Colliers International. We’re also thrilled to have two of our market’s top professionals joining us as we embark upon this new era.

Lawrence Shaw. SIOR, also a principal and cofounder said: “As part of Colliers we will leverage our ongoing commitment to deliver the highest quality commercial real estate services in the region. Our clients will continue to rely on our local market expertise and relationships, while benefiting from the national and international growth opportunities and resources of Colliers International.”

The two brokerage professionals who have joined Colliers International’s new Charlotte office as partners are Brad Grow and Brent Royall. In addition, Edward “Teddy” Chapman, SIOR has been promoted internally to partner. Grant Miller rounds out the organization’s brokerage team.

Brad Grow most recently worked for Cassidy Turley, where he served as a senior vice president/principal in the firm’s Charlotte office. While working there, Grow was actively involved in leasing up projects owned by both institutional and regional developers. In 2008, the Charlotte Commercial Board of Realtors selected Grow as the second highest office leasing producer in the Charlotte market. Among the many clients that Grow has assisted are Lennar Homes, UBS, Pizzagalli Properties and Lord Baltimore Properties. Grow holds a SIOR designation.

Prior to entering the commercial real estate industry, Grow served as a Special Agent for the U.S. Secret Service, working on both protection-focused and investigative assignments.

Brent Royall has thirteen years of corporate real estate experience where his primary focus has been on office tenant representation. He most recently served as a Senior Vice President and office tenant broker at Keystone Partners, a Charlotte-based full service commercial real estate firm. Before Keystone, Royall also worked previously as an office tenant broker for both The Staubach Company and Lincoln Harris. Among the many clients that Royall has assisted are Wachovia, Doosan, Cisco Systems, Duke Energy, Koch Industries, and State Farm Automobile Insurance.

Royall is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY. He also holds an MBA in Real Estate Finance and Development from The Belk College of Business at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Royall also holds designations from both SIOR and CCIM.

As a partner at Colliers International’s new Charlotte office, Teddy Chapman, SIOR will continue to specialize in industrial property transactions and assist his clients with a range of services including landlord and tenant representation, lease negotiations, site searches and acquisition/disposition assignments. Chapman has more than 10 years of experience working with industrial properties in multiple markets around the country.

Greg Copps and Lawrence Shaw – whose working relationship spans 17 years – along with Kirsten Patterson established Clarus Properties in 2005. The team has more than 80 years of combined commercial real estate experience representing both tenants and landlords in both North Carolina and South Carolina. Notable clients include Lord Baltimore Properties, Service Express, Arvato Services (formerly BMG Music), Weston, Verus Partners, Ross Stores and Home Depot.

Earlier this year, Colliers International announced that it combined operations and global real estate services platforms with FirstService Real Estate Advisors. Since then, the organization has embarked on an extensive rebranding effort in which all its local operations have adopted the Colliers International name and branding. Clarus Properties will do the same.

Colliers International has expanded its platform in eight other markets in addition to Charlotte this year alone, including Raleigh-Durham, Chicago, Cincinnati, Columbus, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Long Island and Nashville.

Colliers International to Host Fundraising Event for Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair’s Foundation

-- An Evening with Tony Blair to feature Charlie Rose in conversation with Tony Blair on the Challenges and Opportunities in this Increasingly Globalized World --

SAN FRANCISCO, October 22, 2010 – The fall gala season will hit a high note in a matter of weeks when PBS host and 60 Minutes contributing correspondent Charlie Rose conducts a fireside chat with renowned world leader and Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair in downtown San Francisco. This high-profile event will be sponsored and hosted by leading global real estate services firm Colliers International.

Tony Blair, a leading figure on the international stage, will engage in a spellbinding discussion with Charlie Rose about the challenges and opportunities of the modern world. All proceeds from the evening event will benefit the Tony Blair Faith Foundation. The Foundation runs educational programs, and organizes practical projects in countries around the world so that people can work together to tackle ill-health and global poverty as an alternative to conflict.

A host of bold-face names hailing from the Bay Area and points distant have already committed to attend. Table sponsorship opportunities are currently available for $10,000. Sponsorship includes company name visibility and seating for ten. For table, additional sponsorship opportunities or single tickets, please contact Alan Collenette at Colliers International at 415-288-7854, or alan.collenette@colliers.com

All contributions are tax deductible.

Additional details about the Tony Blair Foundation can be accessed here http://www.tonyblairfaithfoundationus.org/

Colliers International is pleased to present an evening with Tony Blair, in conversation with Charlie Rose

Join us for dinner on November 3, 2010 for an engaging discussion with the former Prime Minister of Great Britain & Northern Ireland, Quartet Representative for the Middle East and Patron of the Tony Blair Faith Foundation. Tony Blair in conversation with Charlie Rose, PBS host and 60 Minutes contributing correspondent, will discuss challenges and opportunities in an increasingly globalized world.

Table sponsorship opportunities starting at $10,000 are still available for this event to take place in San Francisco, CA. Sponsorship includes office or team name visibility and seating for 10. For table or additional sponsorship opportunities, please contact: Alan Collenette, Managing Director, San Francisco Tel +1 415 288 7850 alan.collenette@colliers.com

All proceeds from the event will go to the Tony Blair Faith Foundation. The Tony Blair Faith Foundation promotes peace between the world’s different cultures by developing respect and understanding between people of all faiths and none. The Foundation runs educational programs, and organizes practical projects in countries across the world so that people can work together to tackle ill-health and global poverty as an alternative to conflict.

For more information on the Foundation’s programs, please visit http://www.tonyblairfaithfoundationus.org/.

Colliers International Expands in North Carolina

Colliers International has continued the unprecedented growth of its U.S. platform with the addition of the Raleigh-Durham market’s premier commercial real estate firm, Anthony & Co.
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Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Real Estate Conference

I enjoyed participating on the panel for the The World According to Agents presentation at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Real Estate Conference. If you missed it, a webcast is available: http://www.veracast.com/webcasts/bas/realestate2010/id15880960.cfm