Cushman & Wakefield has appointed one of the UK’s leading experts on green buildings, Andrew Baker, as its new head of energy, infrastructure and sustainability.

Baker joins from CBRE where he was based for eight years, latterly as head of sustainability consultancy for EMEA. Prior to that he was with Creative Environmental Networks and Vital Regeneration.

He will lead a national team located across Leeds, Edinburgh and London, advising clients on how to protect real estate portfolios from obsolescence due to rapidly-changing occupier expectations for flexible, healthy and sustainable workplaces. The team also supports clients in addressing challenges such as complex legislation and fluctuating energy prices.

Andrew Baker said: “I’m joining Cushman & Wakefield at an exciting time for the industry. There’s been a huge shift in the level of focus and disclosure around what landlords are doing to improve the Environmental, Social and Governance performance of their assets which is having repercussions across our supply chain.

“Technological innovations have also generated a step change within our industry over the past five years. We can now remotely monitor the real-time sustainability performance of property portfolios on a global basis, leading to immediate and tangible improvements in environmental performance.

“We’re seeing proactive investors and occupiers moving away from a focus on compliance and cost reduction, towards fully-integrated sustainability strategies which allows them to outperform competitors in this space. Clients are investing in renewable energy technologies, agreeing green leases and obtaining new certifications such as the WELL Building Standard, and in turn they are reaping the benefits through reduced occupancy costs and healthier workplaces. I’m very much looking forward to creating real change.”

Stuart Dorward, head of Scotland for Cushman & Wakefield, added: “Andrew is a standout performer in sustainability consultancy and we are pleased to have him on board. He has managed strategies on behalf of sovereign wealth funds, REITs, Corporate Occupiers and Investment Managers and his insight will be invaluable in delivering superior performance for our clients.”