As GlobeSt.com reported in mid-December—ahead of C&W's own press conference on the pending deal--the New York City-based services firm was planning to shed its longtime Japanese majority stakeholder—Mitsubishi Estate Co. Mitsubishi is actually a majority stakeholder in the New York City-based Rockefeller Group, which in turn was the majority stakeholder in C&W. Although the brokerage is no longer part of Rockefeller, it still possesses four other operating companies: a development firm, a technology company, Rockefeller Group Business Centers and Commonwealth Partners.

At the time the news broke, talk around the market focused on the ability of C&W to grow once the Italians threw their capital behind the firm. At the December press conference, C&W president and CEO Bruce E. Mosler all but confirmed those rumors: "With the help and support of RGI we have forged an agreement with a partner who is in complete alliance with Cushman & Wakefield's global business strategy and goals. We will be particularly focused on expansion in Europe and Asia," to achieve 50% of revenue from outside the US.

Representatives of Ifil underscored that growth plan. "Financial services in general and real estate related businesses specifically have been high on a list of preferred investments," said John Elkann, vice chairman of Ifil. "We also like investing in entrepreneurial management. We like strong brands supported by a clear strategic vision. Cushman & Wakefield ticks all the boxes," Elkann went on to say the purchase of C&W also fulfills the company's goal of diversification, "This being a greater diversification of our assets by sector, by geography and by currency."

Instant Insights /

Italian Investors Close on C&W Majority Stake

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