Industrial powerhouse signs on to Savills Australia

Savills Australia has appointed industry heavyweight Michael Fenton to head up the business' national Industrial & Business Services division.

The announcement came as part of a country-wide company restructure.

Michael Fenton returns to Savills following more than nine years at JLL, where he operated as the company's Australian Head of Industrial and New South Wales managing director.

Michael Fenton has been involved in several major transactions totalling more than $4.5billion, including the recent $1.073 billion sale of the GIC Australian Logistics Portfolio to Ascendas REIT, the $253 million sale of the Coles Chilled Distribution Centre at Eastern Creek to Mapletree Logistics, and the $303 million sale of the Equity Commonwealth Portfolio to Propertylink.

He brings more than 24 years of experience, including senior roles at Dexus and CBRE.

Savills Australia & New Zealand's chief executive officer, Paul Craig, said he was excited to welcome Michael Fenton to the Industrial & Business Services division, which is one of their core disciplines.

"Michael's track record is the perfect platform to strengthen our already high-performing Industrial business and drive the team to win a greater market share."

He will be based out of Savills Australia's Sydney office.

"I am looking forward to providing our clients with a seamless and best-in-class service by mobilising the strength of national industrial business across all disciplines, and leveraging the strong connectivity with the global business, particularly in Asia," Mr Fenton said.

The appointment follows Savills Australia's national restructure, which will see the company shift from its current state-based model to a national business model from August 1.

Mr Craig said the change was part of the business' three-year strategic plan to implement a national capability to operate more efficiently and respond better to clients' needs.

"We're looking forward to watching our people flourish under this new structure, and are confident it will help us attract and retain the highest-level talent in the months and years to come," he said.

Mr Fenton will start with Savills Australia on August 13.