With office space playing a pivotal role in the reimagined world of work, and with proactive businesses reassessing what the office means to their brand, productivity and company culture, New Zealand’s largest full-service agency Bayleys has made a strategic new appointment to its national leasing team.

The agency has appointed experienced commercial leasing broker and strategist Matt Lamb to the position of national director office leasing, a move which the firm says will add extra fire power to its already high-performing team around the country.

Lamb has more than 15 years’ experience in the New Zealand leasing market, latterly with commercial agencies Colliers and JLL, and will be based in Auckland.

A well-connected and strong negotiator, respected for his ability to broker complex and multifaceted leasing deals, Lamb has been at the forefront of some of Auckland’s highest profile recent office leasing transactions, seeing them through from initial market analysis to conclusion.

In announcing the appointment, Bayleys’ executive director Auckland commercial and industrial Lloyd Budd said Lamb will take collaboration across the firm’s nationwide office leasing team, and with its global real estate partner, Knight Frank, to the next level.

“On the back of a record leasing year for Bayleys commercial, our teams around the country will be able to leverage Matt’s experience in deal-making and benefit from his proven leadership credentials,” said Budd.

“Along with his strategic input to the wider office leasing business, Matt’s ability to shape teams and impart knowledge will be invaluable.

“To have a director giving 100 percent dedicated bandwidth to Bayleys’ office leasing will be-game-changing for both our agents and clients as we further acknowledge leasing as a crucial pillar in the business.

“As the return to office gains momentum and the pitch for talent continues, office leasing will remain a significant component of our full-service offering.”

Lamb said in aligning himself with the successful and well-respected Bayleys’ brand, he’s looking forward to developing and implementing new leasing strategies, and to driving even greater collaboration nationally.

“I’d describe myself as pragmatic, proactive and results-oriented and someone who thrives on working collaboratively with landlords and tenants to achieve optimal outcomes,” said Lamb.

“As the preeminent New Zealand owned and operated real estate company, Bayleys is not dictated to by offshore stakeholders and is consistently evolving and delivering what the market needs with strong leadership, a values-based approach and a dedicated team,” Lamb said.

“I see an exciting opportunity to shape the direction of the leasing team, to work with Bayleys’ executive leadership team to grow the leasing business further, to interface with Knight Frank’s global leasing network and ultimately, for Bayleys to consistently lead the market.”

With the New Zealand office leasing sector going through a reset phase post-pandemic, Lamb said the flight-to-quality, remote or hybrid work models, more flexible leases and environmental, social and governance issues all have a part to play in today’s office arena.

“We’re here to help business owners with their office needs as they juggle evolving expectations and navigate the changing and often complex business landscape that defines the sector today.”