JLL, a leading global real estate services firm, has named Anny Zhang as CEO, China, effective 1 September 2024.

Based in Shanghai, Zhang will lead JLL’s business in mainland China, playing a pivotal role in driving growth and ensuring operational excellence across business lines and services, nurturing client relationships and strengthening the firm’s position in the market.

“I am delighted that Anny is taking on this important leadership role for our business in China. She has built a fantastic career at JLL, taking on increasing levels of responsibility over her 17 years with the firm,” said Anthony Couse, CEO Asia Pacific, JLL. “Anny has extensive experience in China’s real estate market and has worked on many high-profile mandates, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to deliver projects for global and domestic real estate investors and occupiers.”

Zhang joined JLL as a manager in 2007 and steadily progressed into more senior roles. In 2021, she became Managing Director, East China, and in 2023, she was promoted to lead JLL's China Leasing business. She has been instrumental in nurturing long-standing relationships with key clients and local government bodies and has played an important role in driving technology initiatives, including DiChanDaDang, the online office leasing marketplace. 

Alongside this leadership change, Alex Barnes, currently Managing Director, Hong Kong and Macao, will take on additional responsibility for JLL Taiwan.

Anny Zhang said: “I’m delighted to be taking on the leadership of our mainland China business. We have a fantastic team and clients that trust us to deliver quality services to meet all their real estate needs. As China’s economy develops, there are huge opportunities to leverage our technology solutions and global scale to help Chinese and multinational clients buy, build, occupy, manage and invest in real estate. I look forward to engaging with clients and colleagues as we identify new growth opportunities.”

Anthony Couse said: “This year marks a significant milestone for JLL as we celebrate 30 years of operating in mainland China. We have great confidence in the growth of our business under the leadership of Anny, and with Alex leading Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, we look forward to continued success in these important markets.”

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