CBRE launches economic consulting arm with ex-DTZ director

CB Richard Ellis has hired Stephen Lucas from DTZ to head a new economic consulting team in Manchester.

Lucas, 43, has 17 years' experience on major economic development and regeneration projects. Past work includes securing funding for the Eden Project in Cornwall and in arguing the case against the wind power project on the Isle Of Lewis that was recently rejected by the Scottish Government.

Economic consulting is CBRE's latest national business line. Lucas commented: "The renewed fortunes of many UK city centres, including Manchester and Liverpool, has made a powerful case for spreading regeneration to secondary and tertiary areas.

"With the establishment of this new team at CBRE, we are preparing to play an integral part in making the case for the large infrastructure projects and labour market strategies required to make regeneration a success.

Christine Hanson, managing director for CBRE in the North West, added: "As we become more closely involved in a wide variety of regeneration projects, economic consulting is a huge opportunity for the business, and the ability to lead the team out of Manchester is a coup for the North West."