JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group today announced the appointment of Ben McDonald as Managing Director – Head of Pubs, Investment Sales, Australasia. Based in Sydney, his new role is effective from 1 June and he will report to Nihat Ercan, CEO, JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group, Asia Pacific.

Ben will be charged with building on the incredible growth of JLL’s pub sales business in Australasia over the past 24 months, where it has transacted circa A$2.2 billion in sales. In his expanded role, Ben will continue to partner closely with the Australasia Pub Investment Sales leadership team which comprises of Tom Gleeson (Queensland) and Will Connolly (Victoria).

Ben transitions to the new position from the role of Executive Vice President and NSW State Head where he led a team of six brokers and oversaw key operations and marketing functions. Ben joined JLL in June 2020 as Senior Vice President. Prior to JLL, he worked for CBRE in variety of roles focusing on pub sales in Australia upon joining in 2006.

“Our Pubs business has gone from strength-to-strength and we’re extremely confident that Ben will take it to new heights. Demand for quality pub assets is unlikely to subside and with Ben’s leadership qualities, key relationships and acute understanding of sector specific fundamentals, we expect our pubs business to firmly entrench its market leading position,” says Ercan.

Ben has been involved in numerous key transactions including the Republic Hotel Sydney, Commodore Hotel McMahons Point, Great Northern Hotel Byron Bay, and Longueville Hotel Lane Cove.

“With a strong reputation for his transparent yet strategic approach to deal making, Ben has been entrusted with acquisition and divestment mandates by the largest hotel groups in the country. The benefit of a strong pipeline of deals, backed by the most experienced Pubs team in market, gives us deep confidence that Ben will continue delivering for clients,” says Peter Harper, Managing Director – Head of Investment Sales Australasia, JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group.