As reported previously on i-FM, Healey & Baker is expanding its asset service activities in Europe (see News 17 July). The property firm has now confirmed the appointment of William Florence as Head of Corporate Management. Mr Florence was previously Director of Real Estate Management at Bankers Trust Co (now Deutsche Bank).

Healey & Baker's Asset Services Group, headed by Jeremy Garnett, was established to generate synergies between the skill areas of project management, facilities management, asset management and tenant representation.

Florence will be the "agent for change" within the firm, working with office agency, corporate services and investment teams and adopting the best elements of the US approach to asset services. His principle role will be to help Healey & Baker’s corporate clients get the best possible value from their real estate, enhance shareholder value and focus on their core businesses by outsourcing all aspects of their real estate.

New York born Florence has worked at Bankers Trust Co since 1994, handling all aspects of corporate real estate throughout Europe, including leasing, acquisitions, projects and property management. He previously worked with Edward S. Gordon and Wolff & Munier Inc in New York. "This is a great challenge for me and I'm very much looking forward to working, not only with Jeremy and his group, but other teams throughout the firm and Cushman & Wakefield," said Florence, "I expect it to be a win, win situation: to offer additional services to Healey & Baker's clients as well as identifying fresh opportunities within the firm."

The 60-strong Asset Services Group, covering Europe, the Middle East and Africa, was created earlier this year to bring together the teams covering building, facilities and asset management. The group has already won management business from an existing client for 700,000 sq m of real estate, primarily offices.

In addition to Mr Florence's appointment, Michael Swanstrom recently transferred to London from C & W's Asset Services group in New York to work with specific corporate clients. Further transfers between the two operations are expected in the near future.

Richard Byatt