Ernst & Young expands construction team

International consultant Ernst & Young LLP has appointed two senior real estate industry professionals to leadership roles in its construction and real estate advisory services (CREAS) division in a bid to expand in this area. Jim Harding and Steven Teubner have been named senior managers for CREAS in the New York office. 

As the former COO and head of real estate for Barclays Capital’s Corporate Real Estate, Harding brings world experience in real estate issues surrounding the financial services industry. 

In his recent positions as facilities director at NextGen and as general manager at BAE Systems, Teubner oversaw the implementation of an $8m scheme to develop an intelligent building program. 

The firm has also assigned Mark Gibson to the Orange County, California office. Previously a principal in the New York office, he has been assigned to support the firm’s growth in the West Coast.

Mark Costello, US leader of CREAS, said: “The West Coast is a very exciting market for us. In addition to our leadership moves, we have added a dozen new staff in Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Irvine, and have also made significant assignments to our Seattle and Northern California practices. 

“Mark Gibson has been our de facto leader on the West Coast and plays a key role in these engagements, so his permanent move is the next logical step in the development of CREAS.”