CBRE Strengthens Hong Kong Office Leasing Leadership with Key Appointments

CBRE today announced the appointments of Darren Nugent as Managing Director and Head of Hong Kong Island Office Leasing, CBRE Hong Kong, and Rocky Chan as Managing Director and Head of Kowloon Office Leasing, CBRE Hong Kong, effective January 4, 2027.

These appointments reflect CBRE's continued commitment to strengthening its Office Leasing platform and delivering best-in-class strategic advice to occupiers, developers, and landlords across Hong Kong. Both leaders will report directly to Ada Fung, Chief Operating Officer, and Head of Office Leasing, CBRE Hong Kong.

Darren Nugent

Returning to Hong Kong after five years in Australia, Darren most recently served as the Head of Leasing, Pacific, overseeing the Office, Industrial & Logistics and Retail sectors, as well as the Consultancy practice. In this role, he focused on strategic growth, client engagement, operational excellence, and the delivery of integrated real estate solutions across the region on behalf of Occupiers.

With a CBRE career spanning more than 20 years across Ireland, Hong Kong, and Australia, Darren has built a strong reputation as a trusted advisor to occupiers, investors, landlords, and developers, helping clients succeed in increasingly dynamic market environments. His extensive cross-market experience, combined with a deep understanding of evolving client needs, enables him to consistently develop innovative strategies that are both locally relevant and globally informed for clients in dynamic market environments. 

Rocky Chan

Rocky Chan is an Executive Director with CBRE Hong Kong and a seasoned office leasing professional with more than 20 years of experience. Having started his career with CBRE as a graduate trainee, he has built a strong reputation advising multinational occupiers on corporate real estate strategy, portfolio optimization, and complex leasing transactions across Kowloon and the New Territories.

Renowned for his strategic insight, landmark transactions, and expertise in lease restructuring, rent reviews, and surrender negotiations, Rocky is highly regarded for his deep market knowledge and long-standing relationships with major landlords throughout Kowloon. 

In addition to his leasing responsibilities, Rocky will continue to oversee the growth of Value Properties from CBRE Hong Kong, the firm's digital platform serving SMEs seeking office, retail, and industrial space solutions. 

"We are very excited about these leadership appointments within our Hong Kong Office Leasing team," said Tom Gaffney, Regional Managing Director, Head of Leasing, Asia Pacific. "As one of the region’s most dynamic and competitive office markets, Hong Kong continues to present significant opportunities amid evolving occupier needs and improving market fundamentals. Darren and Rocky are both highly accomplished leasing professionals and proven business leaders. Their expertise, market knowledge and data-driven approach, together with access to CBRE's regional and global network, will create significant value for occupiers, developers and landlords, helping them maximise the performance and potential of their real estate portfolios."

Ada Fung, Chief Operating Officer and Head of Office Leasing, CBRE Hong Kong, added: "Darren and Rocky are highly respected leaders with outstanding commercial acumen and deep market expertise. Together, they bring a powerful combination of international perspective, local market knowledge and long-standing client relationships that will help both our landlord and occupier clients navigate an increasingly complex real estate landscape. We are confident that this leadership structure will position us to capitalize on growth opportunities across key sectors, including financial & professional services, innovation and technology, Chinese enterprise business while further strengthening our ability to deliver best-in-class advisory solutions to our clients.”

Supported by a team of approximately 50 professionals, CBRE Hong Kong's Office Leasing business is one of the largest and most established in the market. With these appointments, Ada will continue to serve as Head of Office Leasing for Hong Kong, working closely with Darren and Rocky to spearhead the firm’s business strategy and reinforce its market-leading position.