HFF poaches CBRE agents

London agents Jamie Pope and John Starkie have quit CBRE to join the new London office of US broker HFF. Pennsylvania-based property adviser HFF is launching a new platform in the UK market after agreeing a deal to buy Leon Partners. Pope has been at CBRE for more than 21 years. He was appointed managing director of its London investment business in 2014. It is understood that Pope will be a co-head of HFF’s new London office alongside David Church, former EMEA Bank of America Merill Lynch head of real estate, gaming and lodging investment banking in EMEA and Michael Kavanau, who is currently co-head of HFF’s Chicago office. Starkie was senior director of London capital markets, investment properties. The team also includes former BAML senior bankers Rajan Somchand and Edward Bradford. • To send feedback, e-mail louisa.clarence-smith@estatesgazette.com or tweet @LouisaClarence or @estatesgazette