Professional Expertise

• Current Role: President, Savills Chicago Region

• Key Responsibilities:
  • Senior Advisor at Savills North America
  • Talent recruitment and development
  • Growth identification and collaboration across business functions

• Career Highlights:
  • Executed over 30 million sq. ft. of transactions
  • Transaction value exceeding $20 billion

• Notable Clients:
  • Fox Corporation
  • UnitedHealth Group
  • The Big Ten Conference
  • Neuberger Berman
  • Humana
  • CVS Aetna
  • Exelon
  • US Bank
  • Kirkland & Ellis
  • AMLAW 200 law firms

Career Milestones

• 2023: Named President of Savills Chicago Region
• 2014-2023: Vice Chairman and Co-Head of the Chicago office
• Board Roles:
  • North American Brokerage Board of Directors, Savills North America
• Civic Roles:
  • Board of Advisors, Executive Club of Chicago
  • Economics Club of Chicago
  • Northwestern University Regional Leaders Board
  • Board of Advisors, Northwestern University Men’s Tennis Team

Awards & Achievements

• Crain’s “Chicago Office Broker of the Year”: 2022, 2021, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2012.
• Most Influential Commercial Real Estate Brokers in Chicago: 2017.
• Crain’s “Who’s Who in Chicago Business”: 2024, 2023, 2017, 2016.
• NAIOP’s “Office Development of the Year”: 2014, 2013.
• Crain’s “Chicago Build to Suit Project of the Year”: 2014, 2013.

Robert Sevim identifies two key trends shaping the office market: “flight to quality” and “flight to capital.” Tenants choose new, well-equipped buildings and financially stable properties with minimal debt. This is leading to a divide in leasing activities, pushing landlords to either make minimal investments or commit to significant upgrades.

Over the next 24 months, the role of the office will become clearer, influencing availability rates and leasing activities. In the industrial sector, leasing activities are ongoing, albeit at a reduced pace relative to what we saw in 2020 – 2023. Net absorption remains positive, though the peak seen during the pandemic has decreased as industrial occupiers reassess their space needs.

In a recent conversation with The USA Leaders, Sevim highlighted the growing importance of real estate advisors in helping tenants optimize space and reduce costs amid these changing dynamics.

The USA leaders: Can you outline Savills’ core services and explain how they set you apart from competitors?

Sevim: Savills North America is exclusively focused on tenant representation. Unlike many other firms in our space, our entire business—research, investment, and problem-solving— is dedicated to the occupier’s needs. We offer over 30 services and solutions, including workplace strategy, portfolio solutions, lease administration and audit, financial analytics, transaction management, incentives, industrial services, and ESG consulting. This offers occupiers an experience unlike any other in the market – providing real estate solutions with a tailored and strategic viewpoint.

The USA leaders: Can you share the history of Savills and its evolution, particularly in North America?

Sevim: Savills has been in the business of people since its founding in the UK in 1885. Over the years, the firm has evolved, building a storied history of helping clients make better property decisions. Today, we have more than 42,000 professionals dedicated to commercial and prime residential real estate across 78 countries. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange and generated $2.78 billion in revenue in 2023.

Savills North America, as it operates today, took shape in 2014 when Savills acquired Studley Inc., maintaining the specialization in tenant representation that Studley pioneered in 1954. Currently, Savills North America operates 44 offices with over 1,000 employees.

What sets Savills apart is our culture. We are committed to adding value while honoring our responsibility to protect the environment, support local communities, and foster an inclusive culture. It enables us to provide our clients with a comprehensive 360-degree view of the real estate process. We understand how to advise companies on creating culture because of the strong culture we’ve cultivated within our organization.

The USA leaders: Which industries do you primarily serve, and what challenges do your clients typically face?

Sevim: We’ve been fortunate to work with a broad spectrum of industry sectors. From Fortune 10 companies to startups, professional services firms, schools, and non-profit associations. Our focus is on the office, industrial, and retail sectors.

While the specific challenges vary, there is a common thread: our clients want to make strategic real estate decisions that align with their business goals, foster company culture, and future-proof their operations. Ultimately, we aim to create workplaces that inspire and engage employees, whether it’s an office or an industrial facility. We want our client’s employees to feel proud of where they work.

The USA Leaders: What metrics or indicators do you use to measure the success and impact of your services?

Sevim: For every engagement, whether it’s for a large law firm or a smaller non-profit, we tailor the approach to meet their specific needs. We treat our clients’ goals and objectives as if they were our own. Our role is to act as business advisors, using real estate as a tool to help solve or support those goals.

This can involve performing cost savings analyses, developing exit strategies, or crafting worker engagement plans, among other strategies. Ultimately, our success lies in exceeding client expectations and helping them maintain their company culture while attracting and retaining top talent and balancing these exercises with careful adherence to budgetary sensitivities.

The USA Leaders: What does a typical day look like for you as the head of Savills North America? How do you balance strategy, operations, and leadership?

Sevim: In our business, there is no typical day, and that’s what I love about it. Each day involves a mix of management responsibilities, client engagements, new business pursuits, problem-solving, and responding to requests. I do my best to juggle all these tasks, but the order can change at any moment because unpredictability is at the heart of the real estate business.

Remaining flexible and adaptable is essential in this role, especially in real estate. It is crucial to manage daily responsibilities while also making time for in-person interactions, such as mentoring, checking in with the team, and staying informed about the industry, the city, and the macroeconomy at large. What I love most about the office is the genuine human connections that create positivity and bring energy to the environment. Ensuring these interactions are a consistent part of each workday is vital.

In addition to my day-to-day mentoring and management activities, I focus on solving complex real estate challenges for my occupier clients across various geographies and property types. I specialize in developing and implementing strategic plans that align my clients’ real estate needs with their broader organizational objectives and financial goals.

The USA Leaders: Please walk us through your career journey, from your early days to your current role at Savills.

Sevim: My journey began in South Africa, where I grew up in a multicultural environment and was exposed to diverse cultures. When my family relocated to Switzerland at the age of 15, I found myself in a small town where I had to learn a new language and adapt to a new community. Joining the local tennis club was one of the best decisions I made during this time.

After high school, I continued my journey in Chicago, where I attended Northwestern University, playing on the men’s varsity tennis team. I graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science. Six years later, I went on to earn a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Strategy from the University of Chicago and had the opportunity to study International Business and Corporate Finance at the London School of Economics.

After four years at another real estate firm, I found my home at Savills, where I’ve built a twenty-year tenure, rising to my current position as President of the Chicago region.

The USA Leaders: What challenges did you face early in your career, and how did you overcome them?

Sevim: Starting in Chicago, I was a fish out of water. I had no grasp of the US real estate market. I needed to develop a knowledge of the industry and network, so I resorted to what I knew best, which was to find a way to tackle challenges. I’ve always been self-reliant, quick to learn, and persistent. It’s like tennis – you practice, understand the game, and keep going. I applied this mindset to real estate, making mistakes, learning from them, and ultimately finding solutions.

Every career comes with a learning curve, and I learned to trust my instincts. To deepen my expertise, I pursued an advanced education at the University of Chicago, focusing on finance, strategy, and accounting. This education was crucial for understanding corporate finance, especially when serving clients at the C-Suite level and conducting due diligence on building owners and their financial makeup.

Overall, it’s been a journey of on-the-job learning combined with formal education. I still learn every day, and that’s what keeps my career exciting.

The USA leaders: What are your future goals? Are there any new markets or services you would like to share a glimpse of?

Sevim: My primary goal is to continue growing Savills, both as a company and as a brand. I envision a future where Savills is synonymous with excellence, precision, and trust. As President, I focus on building and retaining our top talent.

Looking further ahead, I consider my legacy—how I can make a lasting impact not only within the business but also in the industry and community. Whether it’s shaping office culture, fostering long-term client relationships, or maintaining integrity in all areas of my professional life, I aim to contribute meaningfully. I’m also passionate about mentoring the next generation of real estate professionals and preserving Savills’ legacy of exceptional client service, particularly in our Chicago market.

The USA leaders: How do you manage to have a perfect work-life balance? What are your hobbies/interests beyond the cabin?

Sevim: There is no perfect work-life balance. It is a work in progress every day! It’s essential to learn when to say “yes” and when to say “no” to requests. Time management is crucial, and it is important to prioritize your own needs while balancing the need to help others. For me, this means maintaining a healthy balance between work, family, and personal well-being, so I can be fully present in all areas of my life.

As I mentioned, I was a competitive tennis player and played on Northwestern University’s varsity team. While I continue playing tennis, I have also picked up pickleball (like everyone else these days!). Beyond sports, I love traveling, cooking, exploring new restaurants, and spending quality time with my friends and family.

The USA leaders: Is there any advice you’d like to share with aspiring real estate professionals?

Sevim: For those thinking about entering the real estate industry, my message of encouragement would be that failure in this business is initial and only temporary. Don’t be discouraged. Real estate teaches patience, tenacity, the value of relationships, and the importance of treating everyone with respect. Remember, today’s intern could be tomorrow’s CEO.

It’s crucial to work both “hard” and “smart.” Set clear goals, avoid shortcuts, and put careful thought into every decision. Surround yourself with people you enjoy being around—you might end up spending more time with them than with your own family. Never take a job just for the money; make sure it fulfills you as a career. Also, develop interests outside of work to ensure it doesn’t consume your entire life. And finally, give back—whether it’s to your local office or your community.

The greatest lesson I’ve learned is to do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do. It may not be the easiest decision, but it’s always the most rewarding.

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