Worthington moves to CBRE Manchester as Russell departs

Mark Worthington, CBRE office agency director in Liverpool, is to move to the Manchester team to replace director Alex Russell who is leaving to join his father's company, Property Alliance Group.

Worthington worked for more than 15 years in the Liverpool market, and is a well-respected player in the office agency scene. He most recently led on the 55,000 sq ft acquisition of Building 3300 at Daresbury Park, Warrington by Ombudsman Services last month.

Russell joined CBRE from WHR Property Consultants in January 2012 to work under John Ogden, head of office agency in Manchester. At Alliance, Russell will team up with directors Dominic Pozzoni, Lee Charnley, Ella Magill and Jonty Mather to deliver on deals within the existing portfolio as well as identifying development and investment opportunities.

David Russell founded property development, investment and management company Property Alliance Group in 2003. Alliance wholly owns a £190m portfolio consisting of industrial, offices, retail and leisure property, as well as serviced business centres and mixed use developments throughout the UK.

Alex Russell brings nine years of experience in the North West office market having worked on schemes such as Belvedere, 3 Hardman Square, Towers, Airport City and the Bruntwood portfolio.

John Ogden, head of CBRE's North West business and its office agency division, said: "We wish Alex the very best in his move to Alliance and look forward to our continued relationship as we advise on many of Alliance's key instructions.

"It is great that Mark will be based in our Manchester office after his impressive track record of driving the business forwards in Liverpool, achieving a market share of some 80%. As a North West team we have always worked hand in hand and can now further transfer Mark's extensive market knowledge and experience to our broader client base."

David Russell, chairman of Property Alliance Group, said: "The Alliance team has worked resolutely and remained agile during the recession, growing the business in new areas and benefitting from a diverse portfolio, with developments in the hotel and supermarket sectors and its rapidly-growing Alliance Property Asset Management business, which has sold over £600m of bank challenged assets in just four years.

"Alex joins us at an exciting time for the business as we roll out an £80m investment strategy over the next two years, and continue to work with our joint venture fund partners and close contacts across the region in all sectors."