JLL announces successor to retiring ‘great ambassador’ Alan Robertson
Thierry Delvaux starts as CEO for Middle East and Africa business in March
Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) has announced the appointment of Thierry Delvaux as CEO of its Middle East and Africa (MEA) business, effective as of March 4, 2018.
Delvaux will be succeeding Alan Robertson, who is retiring after 30 years at JLL, a statement released by the real estate and investment management firm said. In his new role, Delvaux will have overall leadership responsibility for JLL’s strategic direction, brand positioning and continued business growth across the Middle East and continental Africa.
Although Robertson will retire at the end of March 2018, he will continue to work with the firm until the end of June 2018, serving as an advisor to the business during this period of transition, the statement added.
“Under Alan’s leadership, our MENA business has gone from strength to strength. Throughout his career with us, Alan has helped to establish, expand and cement internal and external relationships around the world, has been a trusted adviser to many clients, and a great ambassador for our brand. We thank him for his many contributions and wish him all the best for his retirement,” said Neil Murray, EMEA board sponsor for the Middle East and Africa region, and CEO of JLL’s EMEA Corporate Solutions business.
“Thierry has the benefit of already knowing our business and many of our clients. He is a ‘citizen of the world’ who brings with him broad and deep experience of working globally. He has consistently demonstrated over his 20-year career with JLL to date that he can build and motivate top teams to help our clients achieve their ambitions as well as ensure stability and sustained business growth in line with our strategic objectives. We’re delighted to welcome him back to the EMEA region in his new role.”
During his career at JLL, Robertson has held a number of leadership roles, including country manager for Scotland from 2005-2008, and for Turkey from 2008-2011, culminating in his appointment as CEO for Middle East & North Africa (MENA) in 2011.
Delvaux is currently based in Washington DC, where he is the global head of the International Desk and chairman of the Global Tenant Representation Board. He had previously been based in Budapest as country manager for Hungary for almost a decade. While there, he also had responsibility for JLL’s broader business in South-East Europe. He joined the firm in 1998 and quickly became the head of the office agency team in Belgium.
“The diversity of opportunity in the Middle East and Africa were key factors that drew me to this role. I’m excited to be picking up the reins of such a successful business in a region that continues to evolve and present ever-more interesting and complex choices and opportunities for our clients. I look forward to working with our great people across MEA to continue to support both our domestic and international clients as they navigate the regional landscape,” Delvaux said in the statement.
