Employee Spotlight: Cameron Ahrens Managing Director, Head of Global Occupier Services of Asia Pacific

With over 30 years experience in Corporate Real Estate with a focus on Facilities Management and Skilled Trades, Cameron Ahrens is Cushman & Wakefield’s Managing Director, Head of Global Occupier Services of Asia Pacific. Cameron started his career as an electrical apprentice in Australia, and took an extraordinary path to his current international leadership position.

Cameron’s story is a testament to the idea that no matter where you start, with passion, dedication, and a strong work ethic, the journey from beginning your skilled trades career to global leadership is always within reach.

What has your career path looked like that led you to your current role at Cushman & Wakefield?

I started my career with an electrical trades apprenticeship in Australia. I worked for a local government with a multitude of different types of assets and facilities. After 4 years in my apprenticeship, I did residential work on housing for several years. I lived in the UK for two and a half years working as a Building Engineer, and during that time I obtained my Air Conditioning Certification on top of my Electrical Qualification. I returned to Australia to continue working in a similar role and eventually grew from working on one or two buildings to overseeing a portfolio of properties within Australia. It was at that time that I thought that I should supplement my technical skills with managerial skills. I completed my Master of Business Administration which allowed me to better understand the broader aspects of how businesses operate and therefore converse with leaders more effectively.

How did your career journey bring you to Singapore?

I always had a plan to leave Australia once I finished my MBA. I came to Asia in 2006 as an Operations Manager and planned to live here for a few years. A few years have evolved into over 16 years through multiple roles from Account Management to roles focused more on operating the business including platform leadership, transitions sales and solutions.

In 2019, I had the fortunate opportunity to become part of Cushman & Wakefield, taking on the position of Head of Integrated Facilities Management for Asia Pacific sector within the Global Occupier Services business. After serving in that capacity for three years, I transitioned to my present role as the Asia Pacific Lead for the Global Occupier Services business.

Is there anything that really stands out and excites you the most about your work with C&W?

I hold a genuine passion for our culture and the cohesive spirit of our team. While it may sound like a cliché, being a service provider is fundamentally about people. It's truly fulfilling to welcome individuals into the organization who share similar values, contributing to our journey toward achieving our business and cultural aspirations. As we find ourselves in a significant growth phase, my enthusiasm extends beyond supporting our existing clients and the community to actively expand our business. A particular focus of mine lies in attracting the right individuals who can join me in driving this growth and furthering our shared objectives.

Are there any skills or experiences that stand out that you find especially useful in your current position?

I think it is incredibly important to acknowledge that you are always learning - It does not matter where you are in your career. Something I strive to do as a leader is continuing to listen and learn. I always make myself available to meet with our current team members as well as people that we are looking to bring into the business to continue to maintain and develop the culture we have through our team.

Have you had any mentors or anyone who has really helped inspire you throughout your career?

I haven't had a consistent mentor whom I consult year after year for guidance. However, across my career, various leaders have offered invaluable advice. I've had the privilege of working with specific leaders or managers from whom I've gleaned significant insights. Regardless of the role I find myself in, I carry with me those pieces of advice that have played a crucial role in my growth and development to reach my current position.

Do you have any advice for someone who is aspiring to work in a similar role or starting out in their career journey?

If I think about my career, it was specific decisions that I made to develop myself personally and professionally to expand my career without a specific end goal in mind.

“Don’t sit back and wait for opportunities to be presented. I think you have to go out and look for opportunities yourself. You don’t have to have a career plan to progress through your career, but you have to look for opportunities to develop your technical capabilities as well as your personal skills. You are in charge of your personal brand.”