Savills New York office has recruited Stephen Shapiro and John Wilcox to focus on the firm's real estate banking offer. Having worked on a combined $30 billion in real estate finance deals, both professionals bring a wide range of real estate investment banking experience to Savills.

Savills New York office has recruited Stephen Shapiro and John Wilcox to focus on the firm's real estate banking offer. Having worked on a combined $30 billion in real estate finance deals, both professionals bring a wide range of real estate investment banking experience to Savills.

Before joining Savills LLC, Stephen Shapiro worked for real estate investment banking firm Eastdil Secured. He was part of a team that worked on the largest leveraged buyout in history when Blackstone acquired office REIT Equity Office Properties Trust for $39 billion in 2007. During his career, Shapiro has worked on transactions and advisory assignments worth more than $20 billion in total. His dossier of closed real estate finance deals also includes office, retail, residential and mixed-use assets.

"Stephen Shapiro will become a critical member of our team as we expand our investment sales practice in both the office and retail sectors," said John D. Lyons, President and Chief Executive Officer of Savills LLC. "With his proven abilities as a real estate investment banker, Shapiro's skills will mesh perfectly with our existing team. We also expect him to grow our investment sales business throughout both central business district and suburban markets across the nation."

R. John Wilcox II, who joins Savills LLC from DTZ Rockwood's Capital Markets Group, has more than 15 years of real estate finance experience. A restructuring expert and Certified Turnaround Professional, Wilcox has advised both creditors and debtors on many high-profile bankruptcies, among them the bankruptcy of Olympia & York during the early 1990s and the failure of Atlantic Gulf Communities in 2001. Over the course of his career, Wilcox has undertaken more than $10 billion in transaction and advisory assignments. Prior to joining DTZ Rockwood, Wilcox specialized in real estate restructurings and bankruptcies for financial consulting firmAhern & Partners.

"Given the massive changes that are underway in the real estate capital markets, the need for restructuring expertise is likely to increase over the next few years," said Mr. Wilcox. "With my background as a turnaround specialist, I hope to unlock many new opportunities for Savills LCC while helping our clients better manage this changing market."

"John Wilcox is joining us at a fortuitous moment," said Mr. Lyons. "As a highly-skilled expert in the field of distressed assignments, he will play a vital role in broadening our existing suite of advisory and transaction-based services."

About Savills LLC

Founded in 1996, New York-based Savills is a real estate investment banking firm offering investment sales, debt and equity placement, and advisory services. Its professionals have executed more than $21 billion in real estate transactions throughout their careers spanning the full range of property types, including office, medical office, retail, multifamily, industrial and hotels.

Formerly known as Granite Partners, the firm was acquired in August 2007 by UK-based Savills PLC.Listed on the London Stock Exchange, Savills PLC is one of the world's largest real estate services firms. With 2007 revenues of $1.02 billion, Savills PLC has 171 offices and more than 18,000 staff worldwide.

Contact Information
John Lyons, Savills
+1 (1) 212 328 2800
jlyons@savills.com