Colliers to partner with leading Australian planning and advisory firm
Rhea-AI Summary
Colliers (NASDAQ, TSX: CIGI) has announced an agreement to acquire a controlling interest in Ethos Urban, an Australian urban planning and design advisory firm. Founded in 1992, Ethos Urban employs 160 professionals across offices in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, providing planning, urban design, engagement, and economic & social advisory services.
The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2025, with Ethos Urban being rebranded as Colliers in the second half. Ethos Urban's senior leadership team will maintain significant shareholding under Colliers' partnership model. The firm's expertise has contributed to Australia's urbanization and development, with services provided to both public and private sector clients.
Positive
- Acquisition expands Colliers' service capabilities in urban planning and design advisory
- Adds 160 professionals across three major Australian cities
- Retention of senior leadership team ensures business continuity
- Opportunity for cross-selling services to combined client base
Negative
- None.
Insights
This strategic acquisition marks a significant enhancement of Colliers' professional services portfolio in Australia, particularly strengthening their position in the high-margin urban planning and advisory segment. The integration of Ethos Urban's 160 professionals across Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane provides Colliers with immediate scale in specialized advisory services that complement their existing real estate operations.
The transaction structure follows Colliers' proven partnership model, where senior leadership maintains significant ownership stakes. This approach has historically demonstrated success in retaining key talent and maintaining client relationships, while providing strong incentives for continued growth. The retention of Ethos Urban's leadership team is particularly important given the relationship-driven nature of advisory services.
From a strategic perspective, this acquisition positions Colliers to capitalize on Australia's accelerating urbanization trends. The country's major cities are undergoing significant transformation, driven by population growth and infrastructure development, creating sustained demand for urban planning and advisory services. This creates a stable, recurring revenue stream that's less cyclical than traditional real estate services.
The cross-selling opportunities are substantial. Ethos Urban's existing client relationships in both public and private sectors can be leveraged to expand Colliers' core service offerings. Conversely, Colliers' extensive client base can benefit from Ethos Urban's specialized planning and advisory capabilities, creating a powerful synergistic effect.
While financial terms weren't disclosed, the acquisition's structure suggests a focus on long-term value creation rather than immediate financial impact. The planned rebranding to Colliers in the second half of 2025 indicates a methodical integration approach, minimizing operational disruption while maximizing potential synergies.
Addition strengthens existing urban design and strategic advisory capabilities
TORONTO and SYDNEY, Feb. 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leading diversified professional services and investment management company, Colliers (NASDAQ, TSX: CIGI), announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire a controlling interest in Ethos Urban Pty Limited (“Ethos Urban”), an award-winning urban planning and design advisory firm in Australia. Ethos Urban’s senior leadership team will remain significant shareholders in the business under Colliers’ unique partnership model. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the first half of 2025. The business will be rebranded as Colliers in the second half of 2025. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Founded in 1992, Ethos Urban employs 160 professionals across its three offices in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, providing planning, urban design, engagement and economic & social advisory services for public and private sector clients.
“Ethos Urban’s long and impressive track record of successful projects, together with its entrepreneurial culture and significant ongoing ownership in the business, makes it a perfect fit for Colliers”, said John Kenny, CEO Colliers | Asia Pacific. “Their talented professionals provide a highly valued service that has accelerated Australia’s urbanization and development over many years. We are excited to welcome them as partners and work collaboratively to expand their operations in existing and new markets.”
“Ethos Urban is the latest in several successful acquisitions that Colliers has made in the region,” said Chris McLernon, Chief Executive Officer of Real Estate Services | Global at Colliers. “We see tremendous potential with this partnership and expect to leverage our brand, established reputation, and deep connections in the Australian real estate and infrastructure market to grow the business and cross-sell services to our combined client base.”
“Joining an entrepreneurial organization like Colliers was a natural progression for our firm,” said Mark Stefanac, Chief Executive Officer of Ethos Urban. “This partnership enables us to further capitalize on Australia's urbanization, while providing our professionals with the resources, opportunities, and relationships they need to continue to deliver exceptional outcomes for our clients nationwide.”
Colliers Contact
John Kenny
Chief Executive Officer | Asia Pacific
+61 2 9257 0222
Ethos Urban Contact
Mark Stefanac
Chief Executive Officer
+61 2 9956 9662
About Colliers
Colliers (NASDAQ, TSX: CIGI) is a global diversified professional services and investment management company. Operating through three industry-leading platforms – Real Estate Services, Engineering, and Investment Management – we have a proven business model, an enterprising culture, and a unique partnership philosophy that drives growth and value creation. For 30 years, Colliers has consistently delivered approximately
FAQ
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