Cushman & Wakefield has appointed Ben O’Connor to head its public sector advisory team in its Bristol office.
Ben, pictured, who joins as partner, brings 19 years’ experience. In his new role he will manage the Bristol public sector advisory team with responsibility for delivering key public-sector contracts in the South West and South Wales as well as supporting the Bristol office to build its profile in public sector and development activities. 
He previously worked with London, Newcastle and Northampton-based public sector-focused developer Kajima Partnerships, as a project director responsible for managing bids for public sector tenders to local authorities and NHS Trusts.
Prior to that he was a development manager for the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA, now Homes England) and spent 12 years in the Bristol office of property agents GVA (now Avison Young).
Head of Cushman & Wakefield’s Bristol office Tim Davis said: “Cushman & Wakefield has a long and successful track record of partnering with the public sector, bringing an innovative and commercially-minded focus on delivery that drives value for money for the public purse.
“Ben has spent the last five years either working with or for public bodies and this invaluable experience will enable him to capitalise and grow Cushman & Wakefield’s presence across the South West. We are delighted to welcome him to the team.”
Ben O’Connor added: “I’m looking forward to working with our existing team to provide genuine insight and best-in-class advice to our public sector clients, many of which are facing increasing budgetary pressures and having to change the way they deliver services.”
Cushman & Wakefield is appointed to numerous public sector frameworks and works extensively with clients across central and local government and the health and education sectors. The firm advises the public sector not only as occupiers of commercial property but also on how best to use the private sector to viably deliver its policy aims, from housing delivery to social care to urban regeneration.
