Colliers International
Professional services
UnclaimedColliers International is a Canadian global professional-services and investment-management firm focused on commercial real estate.
Last updated August 25, 2026
Overview
Colliers International is the principal operating brand of Colliers International Group Inc., a Canadian professional-services and investment-management company serving the commercial real-estate sector. The firm works with occupiers, property owners, investors, developers, lenders and public-sector organizations. Its activities span brokerage, capital-markets and investment services, property and asset management, valuation, consulting, corporate facilities, project management, engineering, urban planning and related advisory work. The business traces its origins to Australia in 1976, when Glynn Lynch & McHarg and Jones Lang Wootten & Sons combined under the Colliers name. It expanded through a series of mergers and affiliations, including combinations with Tony Petty & Associates in Hong Kong in 1978, Macaulay Nicolls in 1984, American Realty Services Group in 1985 and Jardines in 1992. For much of its modern development, the organization was associated with FirstService Corporation. FirstService acquired a controlling interest in Colliers Macaulay Nicolls in 2004 and subsequently expanded the platform through acquisitions in valuation, hospitality consulting, project management, brokerage and other specialist fields. A major strategic phase began around 2010, when Colliers consolidated previously separate franchises and operating businesses under a more unified global brand. FirstService and Colliers announced a combination in January 2010, and the two businesses formally separated into independent publicly traded companies in June 2015. The resulting Colliers International Group Inc. continued to build a diversified platform rather than operating solely as a traditional brokerage network. Its scope increasingly included engineering, project management, investment management and specialized property advisory services. The company serves multiple property sectors, including office, industrial, retail, hotel, residential and mixed-use real estate. Its service model combines transaction advice with recurring and project-based services such as property management, valuation, facilities support and capital advice. This breadth allows Colliers to work across the real-estate life cycle, from development planning and engineering through leasing, acquisition, financing, asset operation and disposition. Colliers has expanded internationally through both acquisitions and local operating partnerships. Notable transactions and investments have included stakes in GVA Williams, Harrison Street, Synergy Property Development Services, Dougherty Financial divisions, Maser Consulting and Englobe Corporation. Harrison Street became especially important to the investment-management strategy. In 2025, Colliers announced a restructuring that placed its investment-management businesses under the Harrison Street Asset Management identity, including businesses associated with infrastructure, alternative real estate and global investment management. The company is headquartered in Toronto and trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange and Nasdaq under the symbol CIGI. The reference material describes a global workforce of approximately 29,000 people operating through more than 400 offices in 65 countries, while other descriptions of its operating footprint cite approximately 67 countries. Reported 2021 annual revenue was approximately US$4.09 billion. Colliers is positioned as a globally integrated, diversified real-estate advisory and investment-management platform competing with firms such as CBRE Group, JLL and Cushman & Wakefield.
History
Colliers began in Australia in 1976 through the combination of Glynn Lynch & McHarg and Jones Lang Wootten & Sons. The newly unified business adopted the Colliers name and expanded its international network through further mergers. In 1978 it combined with Hong Kong-based Tony Petty & Associates, followed by a merger with Macaulay Nicolls in 1984. The next year, it combined with American Realty Services Group. In 1992, Colliers merged with Jardines, a British real-estate business. The organization later developed through a mixture of corporate ownership, member firms and specialist acquisitions. In 2004, FirstService Corporation acquired a controlling interest in Colliers Macaulay Nicolls, described as Colliers' largest member at the time. The business became FirstService REA. FirstService continued to add capabilities: it acquired a majority interest in PGP Valuation in 2006 and combined that business with the appraisal arm of Colliers Macaulay Nicolls. In 2007, it acquired an 80 percent interest in PKF Hotel and Hospitality Consulting and a 60 percent interest in MHPM Project Managers. FirstService's expansion continued in 2008, when it purchased a 65 percent interest in GVA Williams. In 2009, FirstService obtained control of Colliers after acquiring interests from significant shareholders. That year it also invested in Colliers CRE, a London-based real-estate services company. These steps helped move Colliers from a loose international affiliation toward a more coordinated global platform. In January 2010, FirstService and Colliers announced a merger. During the integration period, Dylan Taylor became president and chief executive officer of Colliers International's United States operations. Colliers also broadened its US network through investments and affiliations involving Colliers Bennett & Kahnweiler, West Shell Commercial, Adena Commercial, Grubb & Ellis Paramount Commerce and Sutton & Edwards. The strategy was to consolidate local franchises and related businesses under one internationally recognizable brand, increasing consistency and market reach. The company subsequently reshaped its portfolio. PKF Consulting was sold to CBRE Group in July 2014. On June 1, 2015, FirstService Corporation and Colliers separated into two independent publicly traded companies. Colliers International Group Inc. became the listed entity associated with the Colliers operating brand, while FirstService continued as a separate company. In the same year, Jay S. Hennick was appointed chairman and chief executive officer. The post-separation period included governance changes and further acquisitions. Former Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper joined the board in 2016. In 2017, Colliers acquired Serten Advisors, a Washington-area tenant-representation firm. In 2018, it purchased a 75 percent interest in Harrison Street for approximately US$550 million, strengthening its investment-management presence. The company acquired Synergy Property Development Services in India in 2019 and selected divisions of Dougherty Financial in Minneapolis later that year. In 2020, it acquired Maser Consulting, a multidisciplinary engineering design firm based in New Jersey. Colliers has continued to combine real-estate advisory services with engineering, project delivery and investment management. In July 2024, it completed the acquisition of a controlling interest in Englobe Corporation for US$475 million. In July 2025, the investment-management business was reorganized under the Harrison Street Asset Management name, bringing together Harrison Street and several other investment platforms. The modern Colliers group therefore operates as a diversified professional-services company rather than solely as a brokerage network, with activities covering transactions, property operations, valuation, consulting, engineering, project management and investment management.
- 2025
Investment management reorganized under Harrison Street
[1]Colliers places major investment-management businesses under the Harrison Street Asset Management identity.
- 2024
Englobe acquisition completed
[1]Colliers completes its US$475 million acquisition of a controlling interest in Englobe Corporation.
- 2020
Maser Consulting acquisition
[1]The acquisition of Maser Consulting adds multidisciplinary engineering and design capabilities.
- 2019
Synergy Property Development Services acquisition
[1]Colliers expands in India through the acquisition of Synergy Property Development Services.
- 2018
Harrison Street investment
[1]Colliers acquires a 75 percent stake in Harrison Street for approximately US$550 million.
- 2017
Serten Advisors acquisition
[1]Colliers acquires Serten Advisors, strengthening tenant-representation services in the Washington, D.C., region.
- 2015
Colliers becomes an independent public company
[1]Colliers International Group Inc. separates from FirstService Corporation and begins operating as an independent listed company.
- 2015
Jay S. Hennick becomes chairman and CEO
[1]Jay S. Hennick is appointed chairman and chief executive officer.
- 2010
Global consolidation under the Colliers brand
[1]The FirstService-Colliers merger is implemented, and Colliers pursues a more unified international brand and operating network.
- 2007
Expansion into hospitality and project management
[1]FirstService acquires majority interests in PKF Hotel and Hospitality Consulting and MHPM Project Managers.
Showing the 10 most recent.
Products and positioning
A global, full-service commercial real-estate and investment-management platform combining brokerage, advisory, property operations, project delivery, engineering and investment capabilities.
Brokerage
Commercial real-estate brokerage
Colliers advises landlords, tenants, occupiers, buyers and sellers on commercial property transactions. Coverage includes office, industrial, retail, hotel, residential and mixed-use assets, with services spanning leasing, acquisitions, dispositions and occupier strategy.
Investment advisory
Investment sales and capital markets
The capital-markets business supports property owners, investors and developers with investment sales, acquisition advice, financing-related guidance and portfolio strategy. It connects transaction execution with market research and valuation capabilities.
Property services
Property and asset management
Colliers manages properties and portfolios for owners and investors. The offering may include operational oversight, financial reporting, leasing coordination, tenant services, maintenance strategy and asset-level performance support.
Advisory
Valuation and advisory
Valuation and advisory teams provide opinions and analysis for transactions, financing, financial reporting, taxation, disputes, portfolio planning and strategic decisions. The service covers a wide range of property types and markets.
Project services
Project management and engineering
Project and engineering services support development, redevelopment, construction and workplace programs. The platform was strengthened through acquisitions including MHPM Project Managers, Maser Consulting and Englobe-related capabilities.
Investment management
Investment management
Colliers manages and advises investment vehicles and strategies across areas of real estate and related alternatives. Harrison Street became a central investment-management platform, with the group later reorganizing several investment businesses under Harrison Street Asset Management.
Corporate real-estate services
Corporate facilities and occupier services
These services help companies plan, operate and optimize workplaces and broader real-estate portfolios. They can include facilities strategy, workplace planning, occupier representation, portfolio analysis and implementation support.
Brand decisions
2025
Investment-management restructuring under Harrison Street Asset ManagementStrategyBackground
Colliers had accumulated several investment-management businesses and sought a more unified structure and identity for that part of the group.
Action taken
The company reorganized its investment-management business under the Harrison Street Asset Management brand, including Basalt Infrastructure Partners, Versus Capital, Rockwood Capital and Colliers Global Investor.
Aftermath
The restructuring established Harrison Street as the umbrella identity for the specified investment-management activities.
2024
Acquisition of a controlling interest in EnglobeM&ABackground
Colliers continued broadening its professional-services platform into engineering and environmental-related capabilities.
Action taken
The company completed the acquisition of a controlling interest in Englobe Corporation.
Aftermath
The transaction expanded Colliers' engineering and multidisciplinary project-services offering.
Transaction value. US$475 million (July 2024)
2018
Acquisition of a majority stake in Harrison StreetM&ABackground
Colliers sought to expand beyond brokerage and build a more substantial investment-management business.
Action taken
Colliers acquired a 75 percent stake in Harrison Street for approximately US$550 million.
Aftermath
Harrison Street became a significant component of Colliers' investment-management platform.
Transaction value. Approximately US$550 million (2018 acquisition announcement)
2015
Separation from FirstService CorporationStrategyBackground
FirstService had controlled or been closely associated with Colliers for much of the firm's modern expansion.
Action taken
Colliers International Group Inc. and FirstService Corporation became separate independent publicly traded companies.
Aftermath
Colliers continued as an independently listed global real-estate services and investment-management company.
2010
Consolidation of franchises under one global brandStrategyBackground
Colliers operated through an international collection of franchises, affiliates and specialist businesses, creating a strategic case for greater brand and network consistency.
Action taken
The company consolidated more local franchises and operating businesses under the Colliers International name and pursued a more integrated global model.
Aftermath
The move was intended to improve international coordination and strengthen the firm's competitive position in commercial real estate.
Recent events
- 2025
Colliers reorganizes investment management under Harrison Street[1]
Leadership change
Colliers announced that its investment-management businesses would be consolidated under the Harrison Street Asset Management identity, including Basalt Infrastructure Partners, Versus Capital, Rockwood Capital and Colliers Global Investor.
- 2024
Colliers completes acquisition of a controlling interest in Englobe[1]
M&A
Colliers completed its US$475 million acquisition of a controlling interest in Englobe Corporation, an engineering and environmental-services company.
- 2020
Colliers acquires Maser Consulting[1]
M&A
Colliers acquired Maser Consulting, a New Jersey-based multidisciplinary engineering design firm, broadening its project and engineering capabilities.
- 2019
Colliers acquires Synergy Property Development Services[1]
M&A
The company acquired an Indian real-estate services business as part of its international expansion.
- 2018
Colliers announces acquisition of a majority stake in Harrison Street[1]
M&A
Colliers acquired a 75 percent interest in Harrison Street for approximately US$550 million, expanding its investment-management platform.
- 2015
Colliers and FirstService separate into independent public companies[1]
M&A
The Colliers business and FirstService Corporation completed their separation into two independently traded companies.
Sources7 sources
- 1Colliers Internationalen.wikipedia.org
- 2Associated Bank Unveils Rebranding and Redevelopment Plans for New Associated Bank River Centerprnewswire.com
- 3Colliers Appoints Gil Borok as US CEOcommercialobserver.com
- 4Colliers International appoints Kevin Turpin as Regional Director of Research for Central and Eastern Europe - Business Reviewbusiness-review.eu
- 5Colliers International enters the Maine marketnerej.com
- 6Colliers International Group Inc.: Colliers International Appoints United States President & CEOfinanznachrichten.de
- 7Global Vision acquires former Alpha Bank headquarters | The Diplomat Bucharestthediplomat.ro
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