Insignia Shifts European Ops into High Gear

NEW YORK CITY-Insignia is staging a major European invasion, vastly expanding its platform in Germany, Sweden and Denmark and going all out in Spain. An expansion into Central and Eastern Europe is the firm’s next move.

Thierry Bougeard, formerly vice president at Auguste Thouard, has been appointed head of a new Barcelona office and will run all transactional services throughout Spain. Christian Menasse will run the firm’s retail business in Madrid and Thierry Julienne will head investment, also in Madrid. Stephen Hubbard will act as chairman of Insignia in Spain.

In addition, Insignia has brought on board 18 employees from Arthur Andersen’s former Spanish property advisory team, all of whom will be based in the Insignia’s Madrid office. Mikel Echavarren, formerly a partner at Andersen, has been appointed CEO and will head the consulting team. The group’s hospitality team will be charged with expanding Insignia’s presence in the European hotel and leisure markets.