CBRE Hotels has expanded its national pubs platform with the appointment of industry expert Damian Kelly.

For the past 10 years, Mr Kelly has owner-operated a portfolio of pub assets in New South Wales, with a focus on buying under-utilised large-format pubs, installing a quality management team, and completing full-scale renovations to maximise profitability.

Prior to this, he had a successful banking career with Citibank and Macquarie Bank, providing him with a strong knowledge of financial markets.

CBRE Hotels Managing Director Michael Simpson said, “Damian’s intimate knowledge of pub operations and the industry positions him to strengthen both our NSW team and our national platform.”

“This appointment will reinforce our ability to provide a market-leading service offering to our clients in the pub sector, where we envisage considerable future opportunities.”

Mr Kelly said, “I am delighted to have joined CBRE, focusing on the pub market across the metropolitan and regional areas of New South Wales. This sector is one of the strong investment classes nationally, attracting a growing number of sophisticated investors from across the country.”