CONTACT US
Share: Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn I recommend visiting cushmanwakefield.com to read:%0A%0A {0} %0A%0A {1}

​​Cushman & Wakefield Launches Specialised Defence Real Estate Team​

Frank van der Sluys • 08/07/2025

Property advisor responds to growing demand for space and public-private collaboration in national security 

Cushman & Wakefield has established a dedicated Defence & Strategy Advisory Team to support public and private stakeholders in addressing the expanding real estate needs of the Ministry of Defence. The renewed focus on national security is driving significant demand for space - covering work, training, housing, exercises, production, and storage. Defence is set to grow substantially (+32% in personnel by 2030), with major investments planned (€21.4 billion in 2024, including €826.8 million for real estate), and expansion across more than 31 locations. 

“Defence is evolving from a relatively closed niche into a sector with spatial, economic, and societal impact,” says Annelou de Groot, CEO of Cushman & Wakefield Netherlands. “We’re seeing a clear shift towards collaboration with the private sector and knowledge institutions. This public-private cooperation requires both real estate expertise and strategic insight—precisely where we can add value through data-driven advice and deep understanding of public decision-making.” 

The new team brings together expertise in strategic advisory, valuations, sustainability, and area and building development, supporting governments and investors in identifying, structuring, and capitalising on this transformation. 


Comprehensive Services 

The multidisciplinary Defence Real Estate & Strategy team consists of six specialists and is led by Frank van der Sluys, Head of Strategic Advisory and Client Development at Cushman & Wakefield Netherlands. The team operates at the intersection of real estate, defence, sustainability, and area development, offering services tailored to the unique dynamics of this challenge: 

  • Quality Benchmarking: Assessing the suitability of existing real estate for new functions 

  • Feasibility Studies: Scenario planning based on financial and spatial parameters 

  • Strategic Accommodation Advice: Support with site selection, programme layout, and optimisation 

  • Technical Advisory: Guidance on sustainability upgrades, renovations, and new construction 

  • Valuation & Appraisal: Independent, market-aligned valuations tailored to public frameworks 

  • Expropriation Advisory: Valuations, damage assessments, and process guidance 

Cushman & Wakefield is already active at several potential defence sites and closely monitors policy developments in this area, including the recent Defence Innovation Strategy and the DefPort platform, which brings together government, the high-tech sector, and financial institutions. 


About Cushman & Wakefield
Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) is a leading global commercial real estate services firm for property owners and occupiers with approximately 52,000 employees in nearly 400 offices and 60 countries. In 2024, the firm reported revenue of $9.4 billion across its core service lines of Services, Leasing, Capital markets, and Valuation and other. Built around the belief that Better never settles, the firm receives numerous industry and business accolades for its award-winning culture. For additional information, visit www.cushmanwakefield.com.

Defence Real Estate Team

Laurens van der Schoor
Laurens van der Schoor

Associate (EMEA Grade - Associate)
Amsterdam, The Netherlands


Download VCard

Jos Hesselink new
Jos Hesselink

Associate - Research Lead (EMEA Grade - Associate)
Amsterdam, The Netherlands


Download VCard

Martijn Veen
Martijn Veen

Partner - Lead I&L
Eindhoven, The Netherlands


Download VCard

Paul Smolenaers
Paul Smolenaers

Partner - Lead V&A Alternatives (EMEA Grade - Partner)
Amsterdam, The Netherlands


Download VCard

Frank
Frank van der Sluys

Partner - Head of Strategic Consulting - Head of Client Development
Amsterdam, The Netherlands


Download VCard

Anouk Donkervoort
Anouk Donkervoort

Head of ESG and Sustainability (EMEA Grade - Senior Surveyor)
Utrecht, The Netherlands


Download VCard

More News

Architectuur-Gebouwen.jpeg
Cushman & Wakefield Launches Banking Team and Quality-Risk Model for Real Estate Lenders

Cushman & Wakefield launches Banking Team and Quality-Risk Model: a new standard for risk management and portfolio analysis in real estate lending.

Barbara Voskuil - Geerlings • 30/06/2025

industrial warehouse
​​Positive market sentiment drives strong start to 2025 in industrial real estate sector​

In the first quarter of 2025, approximately 750,000 m² of industrial space was taken up, with logistics accounting for 57% and industrial property for 43%. This represents a 3% decline compared to the same period last year, yet the rising number of viewings and search queries indicates growing confidence in the market.

Jos Hesselink • 15/04/2025

Office buildings with blue sky
​​Dutch office market in 2025: quality shortage restricts movement​

​​The Dutch office market is stabilising at a lower level than before the pandemic. A structural shortage of high-quality supply, demanding occupiers, and a hesitant investment market are currently shaping the playing field.

Jos Hesselink • 09/04/2025

CAN'T FIND WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR?

Get in touch with one of our professionals.
With your permission we and our partners would like to use cookies in order to access and record information and process personal data, such as unique identifiers and standard information sent by a device to ensure our website performs as expected, to develop and improve our products, and for advertising and insight purposes.

Alternatively click on More Options and select your preferences before providing or refusing consent. Some processing of your personal data may not require your consent, but you have a right to object to such processing.

You can change your preferences at any time by returning to this site or clicking on Cookies.
MORE OPTIONS
Agree and Close
These cookies ensure that our website performs as expected,for example website traffic load is balanced across our servers to prevent our website from crashing during particularly high usage.
These cookies allow our website to remember choices you make (such as your user name, language or the region you are in) and provide enhanced features. These cookies do not gather any information about you that could be used for advertising or remember where you have been on the internet.
These cookies allow us to work with our marketing partners to understand which ads or links you have clicked on before arriving on our website or to help us make our advertising more relevant to you.
Agree All
Reject All
SAVE SETTINGS