CB Richard Ellis has been named European Industrial Team of the Year for the second year running at the European Property Awards. The company’s capital markets team was also singled out, winning European deal of the year for its advisory role on the €4.4 billion sale and leaseback of Banco Santander’s 1,200 property portfolio.

At a time of greater market uncertainty, both awards recognise the strength and flexibility of CBRE’s international platform.

The company’s European Industrial and Logistics team has increased its market share lead to 18 per cent in the past year as a result of its ability to provide a fully integrated leasing, investment and development service for clients across all significant markets in the EMEA region.

Guy Frampton, Executive Director, Industrial & Logistics EMEA, CBRE said: “A cross-border approach is essential to successful real estate advice in the current market and our 150-strong team offers unparalleled experience across the region. This multi-market capability has enabled us to continue to deliver innovative solutions for clients despite the more difficult economic climate.”

Global access to a diverse range of investors has also benefited the firm’s capital markets team clients and none more so than Banco Santander. CBRE was appointed exclusive advisor on the sale and leaseback of Bank of Santander’s 11 million-sq-ft, 1,200-property portfolio in Spain in the summer of 2007. The transaction was particularly significant because despite the financial climate, the company’s UK and Spanish capital markets teams worked together and sold the entire portfolio for €4.4 billion to three different investors.

Jonny Hull, Executive Director, Capital Markets EMEA, CBRE said: “In a tougher market our ability to profile Europe’s premier assets to the global investor community is a distinct advantage to clients. The final part of the Santander deal – the €1.9bn transaction to buy the Banco Santander headquarters complex in Madrid – has just been completed reinforcing our ability to advise on highly complex transactions in extremely challenging financial conditions.”

The awards were announced on 6 October 2008 at a ceremony at EXPO Real in Munich.