Johnston named CEO Americas for Lendlease effective Nov. 1

New York, NY Lendlease global chief executive officer Tony Lombardo said that global chief operating officer and CEO Americas Denis Hickey has decided to leave the organization after 10 years. Claire Johnston, currently Lendlease’s managing director, Google Development Ventures, will assume the position of CEO Americas effective November 1.

Joining the company in 2012 to lead the Australian development business, Hickey relocated to New York in 2014 to reinvigorate the company’s extensive U.S. operations.

Lombardo said, “Denis has played a significant role in transforming our U.S. operations – particularly increasing the depth and quality of the U.S. investment and development pipeline. Under his leadership, the company has increased our U.S. funds and assets under management to $16 billion and has created a development pipeline of more than $28 billion including the flagship development partnership with Google. But even more importantly, his legacy will be defined by the strength and capability of the U.S. leadership team.”

“Recently, as we reset the company for growth, Denis assumed a broader role as the global chief operating officer to support resetting the operational rhythm of the business, including creating uniform processes, clearer lines of accountability and simplifying operations. With the heavy lifting around our reorganization largely complete, I will be assuming those responsibilities as we move into the create phase.”

“The company has greatly benefited from Denis’s expertise, and we thank him for the contribution he has made to the business over the last decade. Denis will actively support Claire through a transition period.”

Johnston’s career with Lendlease spans 26 years, starting as a graduate in Australia. She has worked across the business in multiple markets partnering with some of our largest customers, including the U.S. Department of Defense, running the military housing portfolio and, more recently, leading our development partnership with Google.

Lombardo said, “Claire is a deeply credentialed and respected property leader with a proven track record of partnership and driving results at a global level. She is a purpose-driven leader with a long reputation for building and managing vibrant and effective teams and partnering with customers to develop mutual value. I look forward to working with Claire more closely as she joins the global leadership team.”