Movers & Shakers

Knight Frank has appointed Russell Smith as its hotels and hospitality consultant and Leigh Morris as aged-care manager. The firm announced these hires in its latest personnel update, noting both bring property experience to their new roles.

Russell Smith is a former hotel owner and operator with 15 years in hospitality. He bought his first hotel in Sale in 1987, later owned a prominent Richmond hotel, worked as a hotel broker from 2001, and started a hotel-broking company in 2007 that has since merged with Knight Frank.

The article notes Leigh Morris will take up the aged-care manager position at Knight Frank and that he was originally a valuer in Melbourne. His valuation background is highlighted as part of his suitability for the new role.

Lend Lease CFO Brad Soller has decided to leave after 10 years with the group. He will remain in his role until the end of January to ensure a handover, and the company has started a search for his successor. Mr Soller became group CFO in 2009 after holding several senior management roles within Lend Lease.

The article reports the CFO departure and that a transition plan is in place with Mr Soller staying until the end of January while a search for a successor starts. For investors, it’s sensible to monitor official company announcements for updates on the appointment and any guidance from Lend Lease about continuity and financial leadership.

HBO+EMTB has appointed Peter Risbey as a director in a newly created role. He will manage and coordinate the firm’s architectural services in its Melbourne studio, bringing a portfolio spanning commercial projects across Australia, China, India, Malaysia and Singapore and experience in sectors such as sports, infrastructure, education, health and planning.

Peter Risbey’s recent domestic portfolio includes a 41-level office tower on the site of the old Herald and Weekly Times building in Melbourne. He has also held senior positions with Peddle Thorp and Cox Richardson, and has worked on commercial projects across multiple countries and sectors.

The article was published in InvestSMART’s Movers and Shakers column. Investors can follow company announcements and updates from Knight Frank, Lend Lease and HBO+EMTB, and check coverage from trusted financial news sources like InvestSMART for further developments and official statements about appointments and leadership transitions.