CBRE strengthens Living Sectors business as senior London professional transfers to Australia

CBRE has further strengthened its Pacific Living Sectors Capital Markets business with the appointment of highly experienced property professional Shauny Bult.

Ms Bult has transferred to Sydney after six years in CBRE’s London office, where she has successfully accessed capital from around the globe for large scale BTR projects and transacted on circa £4.5bn (approximately 6,800 units) across development funding structures, joint ventures and completed investment sales. 

In her new role as Director, Living Sectors Capital Markets, Ms Bult will work closely with Andrew Purdon, the Regional Director of CBRE’s Pacific Living Sector Capital Markets business, to drive the firm’s service offering in the fast-growing build-to-rent (BTR), purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), co-living, single family housing and affordable housing sectors. 

“Rental housing in Australia has exceptional investment credentials and offers unparalleled growth potential as an asset class,” Mr Purdon said.

“Our client base has grown significantly over the past 12 months, and we expect investment volumes to follow a similar trajectory in 2024 as the sector matures and new capital enters the market from domestic and overseas sources. Shauny brings extensive experience from the UK where she has advised on some of the most significant BTR transactions including development funding, joint ventures and investment sales.”

Ms Bult said the Living Sector had attracted a £4.8bn influx of investment during H1 2023, accounting for nearly a quarter of capital committed to the entire UK real estate market and ranking second only to the industrial & logistics sector. 

“Operational data further validates the strength of rental housing models, delivering resilient and robust returns for investors whilst addressing the pressing need for quality accommodation nationwide. The sector’s success in the UK serves as compelling evidence for the investment trajectory in the Australian market where demographic trends such as urbanisation, population growth and declining housing affordability are closely aligned,” Ms Bult said.

“I am thrilled to embark on this exciting journey as a part of the Living Capital Markets team in Pacific and contributing to the continued growth and success of the sector.”