Colliers International appoints new head of Automotive and Roadside team

John Roberts, Head of Automotive and Roadside at Colliers International

Global real estate advisor, Colliers International, has announced the appointment of John Roberts as the new head of the company’s Automotive and Roadside team. He succeeds David Chittenden, who will leave Colliers after 19 years of service, to join Johnsons Cars Limited.

John joined Colliers in 2003 and specialises in all areas of the automotive and roadside sector advising a whole range of clients including vehicle manufacturers, national and regional retail motor groups, petrol retailers and other roadside retailers, as well as investors, banks and developers.

James Shorthouse, Colliers International’s Head of Alternative Markets commented: “John Roberts is well respected across the industry and has worked with the Colliers Automotive & Roadside team for over 14 years. His experience and expertise has been an integral part of its success. We’re excited to be able to promote from within the 12-strong team and we look forward to further bolstering the department with new hires in the coming months.

“David Chittenden has been with the company for just short of two decades and during his tenure he has built one of the most successful Automotive & Roadside teams in the real estate industry. He leaves us to join a longstanding Colliers client, and we wish him every future success.”

John Roberts, the newly appointed Head of Automotive and Roadside at Colliers International, concluded: “The automotive retailing sector is evolving at a faster pace than ever before as a response to existing and proposed government legislation relative to electric vehicles and the buying habits of consumers as a consequence of the internet. The roadside market has never been in so much demand due to fast food, drive thru’ coffee, discount food, and petrol retail occupiers mostly vying for similar sites.

“I am delighted to be taking on the leadership of the team and to working with our occupier, investor and developer clients for whom these changes create great opportunities.”