CBRE has been appointed global real estate advisor to sustainable packaging business DS Smith.

Under the terms of the agreement, CBRE will provide account management, real estate strategy, portfolio services and transactions and estates management services across DS Smith’s portfolio of around 500 properties across 34 countries with a total built footprint of 5.3 million sqm (57.2 million square feet). The portfolio contains a mix of offices, manufacturing sites and warehouses as well as 24,000 acres of forest, located primarily in Europe and North America. 

Matthew Stone, Group Property Director at DS Smith, says: “As DS Smith moves into a period of sustained organic growth in order to delight our customers we are very pleased to be supported by CBRE. We have a clear Group Property Strategy, agreed with all parts of the business, which will see us grow our estate in a number of key markets.

“With over 1m sq ft currently under construction and more projects in the pipeline we will be working closely with CBRE to deliver the right platform for our business.

“After a six-month competitive selection process, we are delighted to have selected CBRE as our primary real estate adviser who will partner with us to provide strategic real estate advice.”

Ben Pask, Head of Consumer and Manufacturing, Contracted Accounts at CBRE, adds: “This is an important and exciting mandate for our business, working with a client who is experiencing significant growth and is focused on the circular economy.

“Manufacturing and supply chain real estate is an asset class often managed by devolved management, rather than Corporate Real Estate but, in the case of DS Smith, the team has a full internal mandate, enhancing our ability to support DS Smith in delivering transformation across the whole portfolio.”