Property firm Healey & Baker is preparing to launch a 'major initiative in facilities management' across Europe. Following the restructuring of its property services, Healey & Baker is bringing in key people to take the FM initiative forward.

Two months ago, building management, project services and facilities management were brought together under Asset Services headed by equity partner Jeremy Garnett. Now Bill Florence has been brought in from Deutsche Bank to head the Property Management operation and Michael Swanstrom, from Healey & Baker's US parent Cushman & Wakefield is in the UK to lead a project. The firm is also currently advertising for a Financial Manager - Commercial Real Estate to "play a defining role in the success of this business initiative."

A spokesperson said: "Since our link-up with Cushman & Wakefield 18 months ago we’ve had an exchange of expertise. They’re ahead of us in facilities management but we’re now expanding like mad in this area. Many of our major corporate clients don’t really want to be involved in real estate. We can second people to manage property and services for them."

Richard Byatt