A former top executive at Goldman Sachs, Edward C. Forst has been named president and CEO of Cushman & Wakefield Inc., the global commercial real estate firm announced Monday.
The 53-year-old investment professional will join the firm Jan. 6. He most recently was an advisor to Fenway Partners, a private investment firm, following his tenure at Goldman, Sachs & Co. as global co-head of the investment management division, a member of its management committee and previously as the firm”™s chief administrative officer.
Cushman & Wakefield executives said he has spent more than 30 years in international asset management, capital markets and operational leadership. While at Goldman Sachs, where he was elected partner in 1998, he served as the first co-chairman and subsequently as chairman of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association.
During the financial crisis of 2008-2009, Forst was tapped by his alma mater, Harvard University, as its executive vice president and principal operating officer for nonacademic affairs and also served as advisor to the U.S Treasury secretary.
John Elkann, chairman and CEO of EXOR, Cushman & Wakefield”™s controlling shareholder, in the announcement stated EXOR”™s continued strong support for Cushman & Wakefield “in this exciting new phase” led by Forst that will “accelerate the firm”™s growth and capitalize on the substantial investment that has been made in the business over the last few years.”
Carlo Barel di Sant”™Albano, C&W chairman and the firm”™s interim president and CEO for five months, said he looked forward to working closely with Forst.
Former Cushman & Wakefield CEO Glenn Rufrano resigned in June after more than three years in the post.
Forst in the announcement called his new real estate industry employer “a powerful and iconic brand with unparalleled capabilities in providing creative and innovative real estate services and solutions to a global client base.”
Cushman & Wakefield is the world”™s largest privately”held commercial real estate services firm.
