ANDREW Shaw is to join rivals CB Richard Ellis, just weeks after his surprise decision to quit property consultants Jones Lang LaSalle.

CB Richard Ellis has appointed Shaw to head its agency and development business in the north west, based in Manchester. He replaces Alan Murch, who left the post after the merger between Insignia Richard Ellis and CB Hillier Parker last year.

Shaw had been with JLL for 22 years, and in its Manchester office for the past nine. He will head CBRE's agency and development business in the north west, which is headed by MD Christine Hanson.

Shaw said: "I've known Julian Shellard at CB Richard Ellis for some time, and two or three weeks ago we got talking. It's a golden opportunity and I relish the challenge. This is a tremendous opportunity to play a significant role in the regional business development of what is now the world's leading property services provider.

"The outlook for CB Richard Ellis in the region is good and I look forward to contributing to its future success."

The move is a further step in the regional growth of CBRE. Since July 2003, the firm has recruited a score of staff in the regions, including at least 15 fee earners.

Julian Shellard, CBRE's chairman of the regions, said: "This is a very significant move in the advancement of our regional business. Andrew's agency and business expertise in the north west market complements perfectly Christine Hanson's capability in consultancy, further strengthening our regional service offer to UK and international clients.

"Andrew will add significantly to the talent we already have in both Manchester and Liverpool."

CBRE's 85-strong regional team already advises a growing number of clients, including UK Land & Property Ltd on the estuary scheme; Manchester Airport Developments, on a number of projects including 4M; Arlington & Manchester city council on Manchester Business Park; Urban Splash, Bruntwood Estates, Peel, Amec, United Utilities, and Beethams in Liverpool and Manchester.

Shaw, a European director at Jones Lang LaSalle, had run the firm's £5m turnover Manchester operation since its creation in 1995. His sudden decision to leave the firm in February was a surprise, but Shaw insisted it was an amicable arrangement with the firm's London management.

Last month he told the Manchester Evening News: "This isn't sudden - the firm and I had been talking about this for 12 months or more. Now I'm looking around to decide what to do next. It might be in property, or it might not."

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