Commercial and industrial property specialist Duncan Bell has joined Colliers as a Director in the Investment Sales team and will be based in the Pukekohe office.
While he has more than seven years’ experience in commercial real estate, Bell began his working life as a field engineer in the New Zealand Army before spending a couple of years as a constable in the police force.
He later moved offshore and played professional rugby in England and France.
When he returned to New Zealand in 2012 he worked for a steel manufacturing firm and entered the property sector in 2018, where his mix of previous experience has given him a broad base of skills to thrive in real estate.
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Bell’s role will see him collaborate with Brokers in the Auckland CBD Investment Sales team and the Colliers Highbrook office, given his previous experience in transacting commercial and industrial property across South Auckland down to Pukekohe.
“Having the opportunity to join Colliers is something I am incredibly excited about and I know from speaking to some of the team before my arrival that their values aligned with mine so I think it’s an excellent fit for me,” Bell says.
“It’s also a bonus to be able to work in an area close to home that I am so familiar with.”
When Bell returned to New Zealand he lived in Auckland and then Karaka before moving to Patumāhoe about four years ago, a place he knows well given he grew up there and did his schooling nearby.
The commercial and industrial market in Pukekohe and the neighbouring areas are rapidly expanding and there’s more room for growth.
The development of the Drury South Crossing business park, which spans over 300ha, is continuing at pace with several high-profile firms acquiring development land or a premises there. Plans are afoot for a large-scale shopping centre too.
“Across Franklin there is considerable capacity for more development and we have seen vast amounts of land being rezoned and sold for commercial developments and residential subdivisions at competitive rates.
“Accessibility to the area continues to improve with roading infrastructure improvements and enhancements to the train network that are on the way.
"With more businesses setting up their operations nearby there will be increasing employment opportunities that will attract more people.”
David Burley, Auckland Director of Investment Sales at Colliers, says the Franklin region is a key market for Colliers to broaden its presence in.
“Duncan is an outstanding addition to our team and we are thrilled to welcome him to Colliers. His strong local ties to the Franklin area provide us with an in-depth level of expertise,” Burley says.
“He has a strong track record in the commercial and industrial space and that bodes well for Colliers to expand its market share in Pukekohe and the surrounding area as that part of Auckland continues on its growth trajectory.”
- Supplied by Colliers
