CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) is the world's leading integrated real estate services company with offices in more than 300 locations worldwide (excluding affiliate and partner offices).

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CBRE’s Newcastle Managing Director Angus Klem talks about his company’s move to the Hunter.

What attracted CBRE to the Hunter?

A maturing commercial property market with appeal to national fund managers.

Why should other companies consider establishing a presence in the region?

We see Newcastle as the hub of the employment growth for the Hunter. There are a number of exciting developments happening in the city, including the $500m GPT Hunter Mall Centre, Mirvac’s Newcastle Beach Project (former Royal Newcastle Hospital site), the 150-hectare Intertrade Industrial Park and the continued expansion of the Honeysuckle Precinct.

The local economy is stable, with solid growth, is relatively self-sufficient and is not heavily by influenced by external factors like sub-prime and the general lag of the NSW economy. Coal and mineral resources are the mainstay and these are the hot economic drivers at the moment – so the Hunter is very well positioned.

What benefits have been achieved by moving to the Hunter?

Moving to the Hunter has allowed us to expand our brand. We are also offering local talent exposure to working with a New York Stock Exchange listed Fortune 500 company.

You began operating in August 2007. How has business growth been for you?

We are trading at a profit and now employ nine staff through organic growth. This has all been achieved in a reasonable time frame.