The Czech commercial real estate market just witnessed a significant power shift as global property giant Savills successfully recruited David Sajner, a heavyweight investment director from rival Knight Frank, marking the end of his two-decade tenure at the firm. This strategic hire signals Savills' aggressive expansion plans in Central and Eastern Europe's increasingly competitive investment landscape.
Sajner, who brings a formidable track record of executing dozens of transactions worth over €100m each, joins Stuart Jordan, CEO of Savills CEE, in what industry insiders are calling a "dream team" formation. The appointment comes as institutional investors are increasingly eyeing Czech commercial assets, with prime office yields in Prague stabilising around 4.5-5% despite broader economic uncertainties. "I am delighted that our investment team has been further strengthened by all of these recent appointments, bringing extensive transactional experience, analytical depth, Private Equity expertise, and a loyal client following," Jordan emphasised.
The recruitment coup extends beyond Sajner, with Boston Consulting Group alumnus David Strouf also joining the expanding unit. Vojtech Wolf, a seven-year Savills veteran, has been promoted to Associate, whilst newcomers Katerina Miskovska and Simon Eaton round out the six-strong investment department. This rapid team assembly comes at a crucial time when Czech real estate investment volumes are showing signs of recovery after a challenging 2023.
What makes this expansion particularly compelling for developers and investors is Savills' timing, coinciding with emerging opportunities in mixed-use developments and ESG-compliant assets. The firm's strengthened analytical capabilities, bolstered by Strouf's consulting background, position them to capitalise on the growing demand for sustainable commercial projects, where funding requirements often exceed €50m and require sophisticated structuring expertise.
Sajner, who holds qualifications from Czech Technical University Prague and UK institutions Sheffield Hallam University and Nottingham Trent University, brings unique credibility to high-stakes negotiations. His athletic achievements, including representing the Czech Republic at Triathlon World Championships, demonstrate the discipline and endurance essential for complex deal-making. "I consider it a great opportunity to open the next chapter of my career. I see Savills as one of the global leaders in the commercial real estate market and I am pleased that we can join forces, especially in the field of Czech investments," he stated.
This strategic team expansion positions Savills to compete more aggressively for mandates in Prague's premium office sector and emerging logistics hubs, where international capital is increasingly active. With the Czech Republic's commercial real estate market showing resilience despite broader European headwinds, Jordan's investment in talent could prove prescient as transaction activity rebounds in 2025.
People mentioned:
- David Sajner, Investment Director, Savills
- Stuart Jordan, CEO Savills CEE
- David Strouf, Investment team member, Savills
- Vojtech Wolf, Associate, Savills
- Katerina Miskovska, Junior Investment Analyst, Savills
- Simon Eaton, Senior Investment, Savills
- Ivona Novotna, PR Specialist, Savills
- Lucie Hanuss Schwabova, Head of Marketing, Savills
Companies mentioned:
- Savills (global property consultancy)
- Knight Frank (property consultancy)
- Boston Consulting Group (management consulting)
- Czech Technical University Prague (educational institution)
- Sheffield Hallam University (educational institution)
- Nottingham Trent University (educational institution)
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