Leadership Transition at Savills: Caroline Pontifex to Lead KKS Savills

Leadership Transition at Savills: Caroline Pontifex to Lead KKS Savills

(IN BRIEF) Savills, the international real estate advisor, has appointed Caroline Pontifex as the new head of its workplace consultancy and design studio, KKS Savills. Caroline brings over 35 years of experience and specializes in occupier and workplace strategy. She succeeds Katrina Kostic Samen, who takes on a new role in Savills’ North America business. Caroline’s extensive portfolio includes work with prominent clients such as Landsec, BlackRock, and Great Portland Estates, and she has been involved in significant global projects. The leadership transition coincides with the relocation of the 27-person team to a new design studio within Savills Margaret Street HQ.

(PRESS RELEASE)  LONDON, 12-Sep-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — Savills (LON: SVS), one of the world’s leading property advisors, is pleased to announce the appointment of Caroline Pontifex as the new head of its workplace consultancy and design studio, known as KKS Savills. Caroline will succeed Katrina Kostic Samen, who will assume a new role as Vice Chair and Head of Savills Workplace Studio in North America, based in the firm’s New York office.

Caroline brings to the role more than 35 years of extensive experience in the real estate sector. She was a partner at KKS Strategy, initially established by Katrina Kostic Samen in 2004, before becoming part of the Savills family in 2019. Leading the strategic consulting team, Caroline specializes in occupier and workplace strategy, with a keen focus on emerging trends and best practices across various sectors. Her client portfolio includes prestigious names such as Landsec, BlackRock, and Great Portland Estates, for whom she has provided expert guidance on a wide range of matters, from workplace strategy and interior design to change management.

Caroline has successfully managed major projects around the world, collaborating with renowned architects, including Calatrava International, on Sohar International Bank’s headquarters in Oman. She has also played a pivotal role in shaping workplace strategy, design, and change management for AXIS Capital’s London headquarters at 52 Lime Street, as well as their offices in Atlanta and New York. Additionally, she provided strategic design counsel to Allen & Overy in preparation for their 2021 pre-let of 1-2 Broadgate, in anticipation of their relocation in 2026.

In her new capacity, Caroline will receive invaluable support from the studio’s accomplished leadership team, consisting of Yetta Reardon Smith, Carl Mitchell, and Paul Butterworth. This leadership transition coincides with the relocation of the 27-strong team from their current base on Great Peter Street in Victoria to a brand-new design studio located within Savills’ Margaret Street headquarters.

Caroline Pontifex’s appointment underscores Savills’ unwavering commitment to innovation, excellence, and client-focused solutions within the dynamic real estate industry.

Simon Collett, executive director and head of building & project consultancy at Savills, comments: “This is a very exciting time for the studio who I have no doubt will continue to thrive in their new Margaret Street home under Caroline’s leadership. We also want to thank Katrina for her significant contribution to building the Savills workplace, strategy and design offer and very much look forward to collaborating with her in her new role as part of our North American business. This is a fantastic opportunity to further bolster the firm’s global workplace capability.”

Caroline Pontifex adds: “I am delighted to be taking on the mantle of leading Savills workplace & design team (KKS Savills) into a new era as we move into Margaret Street. I am lucky to be supported by a fantastic leadership team and we will continue to work closely with our colleagues across the business to implement our workplace strategies and designs for both existing and new key clients.”

Media contacts:

Simon Collett
Executive Director, Building & Project Consultancy
+44 (0) 20 7409 5951

Caroline Pontifex
Director, Workplace Experience
+44 (0) 207 799 8300

SOURCE: Savills plc