- Sarmento, who has been Head of Transactional Services since 2022, will become Country Head on 1 January 2026
- Van Leuven continues with the firm as Executive Partner, focused on clients and new business, after more than 30 years as Country Head
Paulo Sarmento will succeed Eric van Leuven as Cushman & Wakefield’s Head of Portugal, effective 1 January 2026, with van Leuven continuing with the firm as an Executive Partner.
Sarmento has been Head of Transactional Services since 2022, with responsibility for all transactional service lines in Portugal, including Capital Markets and the office, retail and logistics & industrial agency teams. An International Partner, he has 30 years’ commercial real estate experience, joining the firm in 2018 from Meyer Bergman (now MARK) as Head of Capital Markets. He also previously worked at Multi Corporation and Sonae Sierra.
Eric Van Leuven has led Cushman & Wakefield Portugal since it acquired his company 34 years ago. He remains a key senior figure in the business, focused on client work and new business generation.
Paulo Sarmento, Incoming Head of Portugal, Cushman & Wakefield, said: "It is a great honour to be appointed to lead these talented colleagues with a collective focus on delivering exceptional advice and execution for our clients. We have an incredible team, a winning culture and an incredible global platform. I´m excited by the opportunities ahead for us and our clients."
Eric van Leuven said: “It has been a joy to work with our clients and colleagues to build something special in the Portuguese real estate market. Much has changed during that time, but solving our clients’ biggest challenges is as motivating as ever and I’m excited to able to focus on that. I couldn’t be happier for Paulo as he takes the next step in his career and look forward to supporting him in delivering our growth plans in Portugal and Iberia.”
Oriol Barrachina, Head of Iberia at Cushman & Wakefield, said: “Paulo is a leading advisor in Portugal whose deep experience, proven leadership and international mindset is a huge asset for our clients, colleagues and organisation. We could not have a better leader to continue our growth trajectory in Portugal, which owes so much to Eric. He hands over the leadership of a business in great shape with positive economic tailwinds supporting growth in Portugal and Iberia.”
