Engel & Völkers Florida, the master franchisor for the international luxury real estate brand in the state with a corporate office in Naples, announced it appointed Peter Giese as its CEO. Giese has been part of the executive team since 2019, acting as chief growth officer. The appointment comes as Managing Partner Timo Khammash and Co-Owner Oliver Tonn stepped back from their daily roles.
Engel & Völkers, based in Germany, currently operates approximately 240 shop locations with 5,000 real estate advisers in the Americas, contributing to the brand’s global network of more than 14,000 real estate professionals in more than 30 countries, offering both private and institutional clients a professionally tailored range of luxury services, including real estate and yachting. In Florida, the company has franchise locations in 44 markets, including Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Marco Island and Naples.
Khammash said he will continue to be involved with the company he founded, but in a different capacity.
Prior to his time at Engel & Völkers Florida, Giese served as president and managing partner of United Real Estate in Dallas, delivering industry growth by expanding the company from a startup company-owned brokerage to more than 80 franchise locations with more than $4.5 billion in annual sales in less than five years. He was senior vice president of franchise sales and development for Fortune 500 company Realogy, where he led the global company in new franchise sales, mergers and acquisitions.
Tonn said the momentum Giese generated in his position as chief growth officer and his leadership skills were key factors in leadership’s decision to promote him.
Engel & Völkers Florida seeks to expand its franchise presence in several untapped markets and submarkets, as well as gain additional market share in existing territories over the next two years. Giese hopes to open 12 new Engel & Völkers shops in 2022, surpass 1,000 real estate advisers affiliated with the company in the state, close more than 10,000 transactions annually and reach $200 million in gross commission income within the next two years.
