It is never by accident that great businesses get that ’knock on the door’ from prospective buyers. It shouldn’t come as a surprise, but it often happens when you least expect it.

From left to right: Chris Burgess, Ingrid Filmer, Raoul Holderhead & Gerald Rawson

CBRE and Burgess Rawson (BR) jointly announced the acquisition of BR, one of Australia’s leading privately owned commercial real estate practices by global giant CBRE.

Sadly, it represents the end of our fabulous association with the directors of BR, commencing some 14 years ago when they purchased the firm from the founders, Chris Burgess and Gerald Rawson.

It all began with a 3-year strategy plan. One year later, after completing their plan (two years early), we did another. And then another. And every year since that time. Usually off-site, over two days, without fail. And the directors took the planning seriously and made certain that it was fully executed.

Over the years, CEO Ingrid Filmer steered the firm towards a unique future. She focussed the firm on competitive advantage, she professionalised and systemised every aspect of the business, structured management and reporting, built the skill and capability of the growing team, added offices around Australia, and built governance through an independent Advisory Board and with a broad range of world class external advisors.

As chair of that Advisory Board, I had a first-hand seat watching the extraordinary team grow where no firm had been before.

The firm that has just sold is a remarkably different firm than the one I commenced working with all those years ago. And being so unique, it was just a matter of time that one of the big firms realised and needed the value that had been created.

We wish the directors and staff well in their new world and expect that CBRE will realise that this was one of their best ever acquisitions.

Chris Alp
July 2025.