Ex-Wallaby, Drew Mitchell, has been named manager, hotels at Savills, as the group looks to grow its national hotel presence.

The Announcement:

Savills Australia and New Zealand continue to bolster its presence nationally with the appointment of world-class ex-Wallaby player, Drew Mitchell, to its hotel team.

Mr Mitchell, based in the agency’s Sydney office from 2 April, will take the role of manager, hotels and will focus his attention towards the NSW pubs sector as Savills continues to expand its national hotel representation.

Mr Mitchell is known as the highest try scorer in World Cup history with a successful international career. 

Mr Mitchell played for the Western Force the 2007 to 2009 Super 14 seasons, before playing from 2010 to 2013 for the New South Wales Waratahs before his stint playing for RC Toulon.

Leon Alaban, Head of Hotels at Savills Australia and New Zealand, expressed that Mr Mitchell’s extensive life experiences, combined with his strong connections to respected figures both domestically and abroad, will offer the entire team an additional advantage to leverage upon.

“We are delighted to welcome Drew, with his profile and deep strength of relationships, to the team,” Mr Alaban said.

“For several years now, the Sydney and greater NSW pub brokerage landscape has largely been dominated by just a few agents. 

“Drew’s appointment offers vendors and buyers another option, and an approachable and trusted operative to help meet the needs of our clients.”

Elaborating further on the sector, Nick Lower, National Director, Hotels at Savills, said pubs in NSW have witnessed a recent increase in activity for both sale process and transactions during the first quarter of the year and this is anticipated to continue to increase as the year unfolds.

“Interest rates appear to have stabilised, no doubt providing some comfort to vendors, along with economist predictions that any next interest rate move will likely be downward,” Mr Lower said.

“If correct, this should respawn investment optimism and therefore allow the capital stacks keenly positioned on the sidelines to deploy funds once again into the sector.”

Source: Savills